Homilies about understanding

Why We're Afraid to Ask God Questions

The homily reflects on the Gospel reading where a scribe correctly identifies the greatest commandments, contrasting his understanding with the fear of others to question Jesus. The priest uses a personal anecdote from seminary to illustrate how intimidating deep knowledge can be, suggesting that others were afraid to ask Jesus questions because they didn't 'get it' in the same way the scribe did. The core message is that we are called to turn to the Lord for answers, even if we don't always want the answers he gives.

Why Loving Your Enemy Doesn't Mean Approving Their Evil

The homily challenges listeners to move beyond simplistic 'good guy/bad guy' political binaries when interpreting the world, especially in light of the commandment to love one's neighbor and even one's enemy. Using the controversial example of the Ayatollah, the priest argues that loving someone does not mean condoning their actions, but rather seeing their full humanity, which allows for a more truthful and complex understanding of the world.

Why We Judge Others (And How to Stop)

The homily challenges the common human tendency to judge others, using the priest's personal dislike for tattoos as an example of a snap judgment. It encourages listeners to adopt a more understanding and compassionate approach by asking "Tell me more" to understand others' perspectives and journeys, rather than immediately condemning them. The core message is to strive for less immediate judgment and more understanding, reflecting God's merciful nature.

Why Loving God and Neighbor Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

This homily emphasizes that true understanding of faith lies in the intimate connection between loving God and loving one's neighbor. It argues that separating these two commandments, or reducing faith to mere procedural knowledge, leads to misunderstanding the ultimate purpose of our existence: eternal friendship and rest with God, which gives Him glory.

Seeing Beyond Blindness: What True Faith Really Means

Father John Arnold

The homily explores the concept of faith, drawing heavily from the Gospel of John and the story of the man born blind. It emphasizes that faith is not just belief, but a journey of understanding and a personal encounter with Christ. The priest challenges the audience to see faith as a gift and to recognize God's love even in suffering, contrasting this with the Pharisees' spiritual blindness.

Beyond Physical Sight: Seeing with the Heart During Lent

Father Tim

Father Tim's homily emphasizes that the Gospel story of the man born blind is not just about physical sight, but about spiritual enlightenment and growth in faith. He uses the analogy of Ray Charles's perspective on blindness to illustrate that seeing with the heart, or with faith, allows us to perceive the deeper truth and beauty in others, fostering compassion and understanding. The core message is to strive for spiritual insight to see God's work and face in everyone.

Beyond Physical Thirst: Finding Living Water in Christ

The homily reflects on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, emphasizing Jesus's desire for her to recognize a deeper spiritual thirst beyond physical water. It highlights the transition from mere knowledge to true understanding, which leads to faith and conversion, as exemplified by the woman's testimony to her community.

How Reflection Unlocks God's Purpose in Your Life

Father Matthew

The homily emphasizes the importance of understanding and reflection in our spiritual lives, drawing parallels to learning the rules of sports to appreciate them more deeply. The priest highlights how Jesus, like in the story of the Samaritan woman, seeks to bring us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and His presence, offering healing rather than condemnation. He concludes by stressing that true wisdom comes not just from experience, but from reflecting on our experiences with God.

Faith and Reason: Engaging Your Whole Self in Love of God

The homily emphasizes the agreement between Jesus and the scribe on the greatest commandments, highlighting that loving God involves not just the will but also the mind and understanding. It stresses that faith and reason are not opposed but work together towards growing in communion with God and living truth, especially during Lent.