Homilies about virtue

The Danger of Fake Friendships: St. Francis de Sales on Holy Company

This Lenten meditation explores St. Francis de Sales' teachings on the necessity of community and the profound impact of friendships on spiritual growth. The priest distinguishes between 'phantom' friendships that lead to sin or emotional dependency and authentic holy friendships that sharpen virtue and lead the soul toward God.

What Does it Mean to 'Bear Fruit' in Your Life?

Jeffrey Scott

The homily, delivered to a congregation including many children, explains Jesus' teaching about bearing fruit not as literal food, but as demonstrating the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The priest connects this to the school's 'holy moments' program, reviewing specific virtues like hope, diligence, fidelity, charity, resolution, and truthfulness as examples of bearing spiritual fruit in daily life.

Living Holiness: Why Obedience is Your Most Important Virtue

This Lenten meditation, part of a series on St. Francis de Sales' 'Introduction to the Devout Life,' focuses on living holiness concretely through virtues. The speaker emphasizes that true devotion is practical, increases freedom and joy, and involves cultivating virtues that make good actions easy and natural. A key theme is the importance of obedience, even over personal pious preferences, as it protects us from sin and aligns us with God's will. The homily also stresses the value of hidden virtues, patience in suffering, and humility, urging listeners to seek God's will in their specific vocations rather than pursuing extraordinary spiritual experiences or human approval.

Why Tearing Down Others Never Leads to True Success

The homily explores the Old Testament story of Joseph and his brothers, emphasizing that no one truly rises by tearing down others. It highlights that while sibling rivalry is common, God's love and favor are not exclusive, and each person has opportunities to shine through their own virtue rather than by diminishing others.

The True Inequality: Why Virtue Matters More Than Wealth

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that true inequality lies not in material wealth but in virtue and love for God. It warns against indifference to the poor and the dangers of excessive attachment to material possessions, highlighting that our blessings are meant to be instruments of mercy for others and that there is no second chance after death for conversion.

What Have You Done With Your Baptism? Overcoming Shame and Finding True Happiness

This Lenten mission talk explores the theme of 'clothing' in scripture, from Adam and Eve's fig leaves to Jesus' transfiguration and burial shroud, as a metaphor for identity, dignity, and shame. The speaker emphasizes that God's mercy clothes us in His love, transforming our shame and calling us to live out our baptismal mission by giving ourselves to God's will, even through suffering, to achieve true happiness, which is found in virtuous living rather than fleeting pleasure.