Homilies about money

Bishop Mark O'Connell: Why Being Rich Can Make You Lonely

Bishop Mark O'Connell

Bishop Mark O'Connell delivers a homily for a school mass, focusing on the importance of forgiveness and the dangers of greed. He uses the Gospel reading about the unforgiving servant to emphasize unlimited forgiveness and shares a personal anecdote from his childhood about accumulating and then giving away chestnuts, which served as 'money' in his school, to illustrate the emptiness of wealth without sharing and friendship.

Are You Indifferent to Lazarus at Your Door? A Lenten Challenge

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that the rich man's damnation was not due to his wealth, but his indifference to Lazarus's suffering. The homilist challenges listeners, as 'rich' people by global standards, to examine how they use their resources and to practice almsgiving during Lent, urging a change of heart and behavior towards those in need.

Building Your Life on God: Lessons from the Rich Man and Lazarus

The homily emphasizes the importance of trusting in God rather than in human beings or material possessions. Drawing parallels between a tree planted by water and a house built on rock, the priest warns against worldliness and the temptation to prioritize financial security or power over spiritual foundations, illustrating this with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

Are You Making a God Out of Passing Things?

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that worldly possessions and attributes like wealth, power, and beauty, while potentially good, also carry the risk of sin if they become our 'god.' The core message is to generously and wholeheartedly place all that we are and have at the service of God, making Him our ultimate focus in preparation for eternal life.

Where Is Your Heart? The Rich Man, Lazarus, and the Call to Love

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that our time on Earth is crucial for conforming our hearts to love, rather than pursuing wealth, honor, power, or pleasure. It challenges listeners to examine where their hearts truly lie and to use their lives to care for the poor and love others as Christ loved.

The Danger of Money: What the Rich Man and Lazarus Teach Us

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that while wealth itself isn't evil, the addiction to money and the failure to share with the less fortunate leads to spiritual detriment. It calls for awareness of those in need around us and to use our God-given gifts for the spiritual advantage of others, not just ourselves.

Is Your Smartphone Your New God? Returning to the Heart of Lent

The priest reflects on the 'Shema Israel' prayer, emphasizing that God must be the sole center of a believer's life. He challenges the congregation to identify modern 'idols'—such as money, power, and smartphones—that often displace God in their hearts during Lent.

The Rich Man, Lazarus, and How Your Wealth Can Lead You to Heaven or Hell

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that wealth is a blessing from God meant to be shared with others, not just for personal gain. It stresses that salvation is not determined by one's material status, but by one's deeds and how they use their gifts to help humanity. The core message is to do the 'little' one can to make a difference in the lives of others, as even small acts of generosity can have a profound impact.

Why You Can't Serve God and Money: A Priest's Story

Deacon Tom

The homily emphasizes the dangers of idolizing earthly wealth and possessions, drawing parallels between the first reading's warning against trusting in human beings and the Gospel's parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The priest shares a personal anecdote about selling his house before seminary to dedicate himself fully to God, illustrating the importance of prioritizing spiritual richness over material security and sharing one's blessings with those in need.

The Rich Man, Lazarus, and the Danger of Material Wealth

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing the dangers of seeking happiness in material wealth and neglecting one's neighbor. It contrasts the rich man's blindness to others' needs with Lazarus's humble faith, which led him to comfort in heaven. The core message encourages trust in God regardless of circumstances and calls for humility and care for others.

Are You Rich in God's Eyes? The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that true richness lies not in worldly possessions but in love for God and others. It challenges the desire for special signs from God, asserting that we already have ample guidance through the Gospels and the Lord's presence to lead a life that ensures eternal salvation, especially in a world of consumerism and individualism.

Why Trusting in God is Better Than Trusting in Wealth

The homily emphasizes the danger of relying solely on human power and intelligence, contrasting it with the blessings of trusting in God. Drawing from Jeremiah and the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, it warns against spiritual dryness and despair that come from attachment to worldly possessions, urging listeners to use God's gifts for the betterment of others.

Where Do You Find Your Identity? The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that our true identity is found in our relationship with God, not in material wealth or worldly achievements. It challenges listeners to consider where they place their identity and to practice the works of mercy, especially during Lent.

Why Leaning on God Alone is Essential for a True Christian Life

The homily emphasizes the danger of leaning on human beings or worldly things instead of God, drawing from Jeremiah and the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It highlights that true faith means leaning solely on God, especially during life's crises, which are precious moments for reconnection. The core message is that Christ must be at the center of our lives, or we live a lie, blind to God's blessings.

St. Catherine Drexel: How Wealth Can Serve God's Justice

This homily focuses on the life and legacy of St. Catherine Drexel, emphasizing how her immense wealth was used to serve the poor and oppressed, particularly Native Americans and African Americans. The priest connects her actions to the Lenten call for almsgiving and justice, highlighting that true prayer and sacrifice must be accompanied by concrete actions for others, especially the marginalized.

Dónde Poner Tus Raíces: La Cuaresma y la Verdadera Felicidad

Padre Ángel Andrés González

The homily for this Lenten Mass emphasizes the importance of rooting our lives in God rather than in worldly possessions or achievements. Drawing from Jeremiah and the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the priest urges listeners to recognize their spiritual neediness and cultivate a deep relationship with God, which provides sustenance even in times of 'spiritual drought.' He stresses that true happiness and peace come from focusing on eternal values and preparing for the end of life, rather than being consumed by temporary earthly concerns.

Are You Being Consumed by the World?

The homily uses the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to illustrate the dangers of worldly consumption. It begins with an unusual analogy of a jellyfish consuming a snail that then consumes the jellyfish, drawing a parallel to how material possessions and luxuries can ultimately consume us if they do not lead us closer to God and service to others. The core message emphasizes that true nourishment comes from consuming Jesus Christ and serving those in need, rather than being consumed by worldly desires.

The Rich Man and Lazarus: Why Wealth Isn't the Problem

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that wealth itself is not sinful, but rather how one uses it. The core message is about avoiding selfishness and actively helping others, not just with money but also with time and presence, aligning with the commandments to love God and neighbor.

Lent: How to Transform Your Heart for God's Judgment

The homily emphasizes the Lenten call to transform ourselves into the image of Jesus, focusing on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It challenges the misunderstanding that material wealth is a blessing and poverty a punishment, asserting that God's judgment is based on spiritual wealth and obedience to His laws, not earthly possessions. The priest urges listeners to cultivate sympathy for the needy and prioritize God's presence in their lives.

Lent: Turning Your Heart Back to God

The homily contrasts the blessed and the cursed, emphasizing that Lent is a time to turn our hearts back to God, away from self-sufficiency and material things. It uses the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to illustrate that God looks at the heart and our attitude of self-offering, rather than outward appearances or worldly possessions.