Homilies about will of God

Why God Doesn't Always Meet Our Expectations

The homily emphasizes the theme of "letting God be God" and accepting His will, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. Drawing on the stories of Naaman and Jesus in Nazareth, it highlights how both Naaman and the people of Nazareth struggled to accept God's plan because it didn't fit their preconceived notions of how God should act or who the Messiah should be. The core message is that true discipleship involves allowing God to work in His own way and time, recognizing that His plan is always what is best for us, even if it means conversion and letting go of our own expectations.

The Secret to Happiness: Living in God's Will

The homily encourages listeners to embrace God's will as the path to true happiness, drawing a parallel to the uninhibited joy of children. It emphasizes that conforming one's will to God's plan, even when it's difficult, leads to freedom and peace, contrasting this with the unhappiness that comes from pursuing one's own desires against God's. The core message is to constantly ask, "Jesus, what do you want me to do?" and then to obey.

Choosing the Harder Path: Why God's Will Leads to Eternal Life

The homily emphasizes the consequences of our actions, highlighting that righteous deeds lead to eternal life while wicked deeds lead to condemnation. It stresses the importance of seeking God's will over our own, acknowledging that the path of righteousness, though often harder and requiring conversion and sacrifice, is the one that ultimately leads to eternal life.

True Freedom: Why Doing God's Will Makes You Happier

This homily challenges the common understanding of freedom as doing whatever one wants, arguing that true freedom lies in aligning one's will with God's will. The priest uses examples of addiction and infidelity to illustrate how 'doing what you want' often leads to self-imprisonment and unhappiness. He emphasizes that God alone knows what is best for us and desires our ultimate happiness and fulfillment, which is found in living according to His divine plan.

Why God's Commands Are Your Freedom, Not Your Burden

Fr. Cumberland

This homily emphasizes that God's commands are not burdens but pathways to freedom and our ultimate destiny of eternal unity with Him. It highlights that obedience to God's will is an act of uniting our will to His, which not only frees us but also sets an example for others, guiding them towards eternal life.

Why Our Choices, Not the Gospel, Frighten Us: God is in Charge

The homily emphasizes that the Gospel itself is not frightening, but rather our actions and choices that lead us away from God. It stresses the importance of recognizing that "God is in charge" and that prioritizing His will and values, rather than personal desires and selfishness, is essential for avoiding destruction and receiving blessings. The priest connects this message to current global events, suggesting that societal issues arise when Jesus is 'killed' or removed from a central place in institutions and individual lives.

Lent: Overcoming the Idolatry of Self and Trusting God's Unwavering Love

The homily reflects on God's unwavering promise to never forget us, even when we feel abandoned, drawing from Isaiah's message to the exiled Israelites. It then challenges listeners to align their will with God's, echoing Jesus's example and Pope Francis's warning against the 'idolatry of self,' especially during the Lenten season of conversion.

Why Obedience to God's Will is So Difficult

The homily emphasizes the importance of seeking and obeying God's will, even when it involves suffering. It highlights that God cannot be limited by human rules and identifies three hindrances to seeking God's will: disbelief in God's presence in suffering, praying for personal desires instead of God's will, and seeking God in one's own way. The core message is that true faith requires aligning our actions with our words and humbly following Christ's example of obedience.