Weekly Homilies at St. Joseph Parish

Do you love me? Jesus is calling us today just like he called Peter more than 2,000 years ago. Remember that when we answer Yes to his call, he will tell us to take care of others. This is the life Jesus lived. How will we respond? Gospel: John 21:1-19 #sheep #calling #Peter #Jesus #Easter #catholic

God's divine mercy is evident in His forgiveness. It looks like the father running to the prodigal son or Jesus telling us He will go after the lost sheep. It is the fact that God refuses to leave us in our fallen condition. The forgiveness of our sins, our new beginning, is always available. There is no expiration date. Gospel: John 20:19-31 #divinemercy #forgiveness #jesus #easter #catholic

What is the stone that covers the heart, the tomb of our soul? Ask Jesus to roll away that stone. Rejoice in His Resurrection. Have faith and believe. Gospel: John 20:1-9 #Easter #Resurrection #Faith #Catholic

What happened from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday? It is all about obedience. Jesus knew of the joy of the beginning with the terror of the end, and yet he stayed obedient to God the Father. Be obedient and receive your resurrection. Gospel: Luke 19:28-40; Luke 22:14—23:56 #palmsunday #eastersunday #jesus #catholic #holyweek

The story of Lazarus's miraculous rising from the dead is deeply embedded with symbolism of what was to happen next to our Lord, Jesus Christ, on Calvary. From Jesus weeping to the timing to the burial clothes, we can hear how this event in Bethany was a foretaste of the passion, death, and resurrection of the Son of God. Gospel: John 11:1-45 (Scrutiny Year A) #Lazarus #Jesus #Catholic #Lent

Is prayer really that important? YES! We see prayer all through the Bible, and even Jesus took time to pray in solitude as well as with the people. Prayer is necessary for our faith journey. "If you want to experience true happiness on Earth, pray more." ~ St. John Vianney Gospel: John 9:1-41 #prayer #pray #God #Jesus #Catholic

We hear this weekend about the life-giving water that Jesus offers the Samaritan woman and, in turn, to us. This imagery of water is prevalent throughout the Bible, a call to renewal, to cleansing, to holiness. We are told to receive this water, these graces and sacraments beautifully. Gospel: John 4:5-42 (Scrutiny Year A) #water #Jesus #sacraments #catholic

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation." The illuminating reality of the transfiguration of Jesus arrives at a time when it was needed most. The disciples were probably distraught with the fog of darkness covering their minds. There is no shortcut. However, this darkness is only temporary. Suffering, pain, and death must be endured and confronted because they lead to the light, lead to t...

Why would the Spirit lead Jesus into the desert? This is a symbolic event of Jesus' human nature. Though He was sinless, we are not. While the devil's temptations are unsettling, because we are human, it is important to recognize that until the very last breath we take, we will be tempted. We should be on guard. Gospel: Luke 4:1-13 #temptation #Jesus #Lent #catholic

Who are our role models? When we think of an example for our lives, Jesus is the first in line. But it is hard for us, as sinners, to see Jesus' perfection as attainable. This week's First Reading and Gospel give us a blueprint for qualities of a genuine role model and how we can become role models for others. First Reading: Sirach 27:4-7 Gospel: Luke 6:39-45 #rolemodels #Bible #Jesus #Cat...

We can say the way of Christ is impossible for us. But as we know, as St. Paul tells us, we are joined to the heavenly through our baptism. We are given the grace to live our God's Way. Gospel: Luke 6:27-38 #baptism #grace #theway #catholic

Do you worry about how people in your community view you? We have two types of social statuses: the worldly social status and the social status of heaven. What do you want your social status to be? First reading: Jeremiah 17:5-8 Second reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26

God calls each and every one of us to a vocation. We are called to help each other become saints. Jesus led the fishermen in today's Gospel to their vocation as His followers, and they were obedient. Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 #vocation #priesthood #fishermen #Jesus

Today is the Presentation of the Lord. Jesus is the Light of the world, which is why we hold and bless candles today. He is the true Savior, the Messiah. Also, listen to Fr. Peter Rettig's vocation story and how God called him to become a priest. Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 #presentationofthelord #lightoftheworld #Jesus #vocation #priesthood

This Sunday we are graced to hear from Fr. Tage Danielson, O.F.M. Cap, who served in our parish. He is currently serving in the missions in Papua New Guinea. We are all called to be on mission, by being baptized through the death of Christ. We have the power of Jesus to do this work. Let's bring people closer to God. Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 #mission #Jesus #homily #catholic

We see the beauty of this miracle at the wedding in Cana, where Jesus turns water into wine. This miracle seems simple, but it's very profound. The simple water changes into the very best wine. This shows us that less is more; all we need is Jesus, nothing else. Gospel: John 2:1-11 #Jesus #homily #WeddingatCana #YorkPA

Jesus did not need to be baptized, but by doing so, he purified the waters that we are now baptized with. We don't merely baptize as a right of passage, but to be grafted onto the life of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, dying to our old life and rising to our new one with Christ. Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 #homilyhighlights #homilies #baptism #Jesus #Catholic #Spotify #podcast

The Wise Men found peace. Can we find peace? Yes, through accepting God's will in our lives. Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

Throughout today's readings, we hear how to become a holy family here on Earth. Though we are not sinless like Jesus and Mary, we can strive to be as perfect and holy as Jesus's Earthly family was. Gospel Reading: Luke 2:41-52

On Christmas morning, we might feel peace as we watch others open presents as we sip a hot drink. But this is a worldly peace; the fullness of peace is Jesus Christ. How do we find this peace? Look upon the baby Jesus, laying peacefully in the manger.

The Father loves us so much that He sent His only Son into the world to save us. Before Christ's death, heaven was closed to all of us. So His birth began the story of salvation ... our salvation.

Joy is the deep place where Christ dwells within us. We have a Joy that lasts. Our Joy is one with a redeeming purpose. But it doesn't come from us -- It comes from Christ. Readings: 1st: Zephaniah 3:14-18a 2nd: Philippians 4:4-7 Gospel: Luke 3:10-18

Keep Calm and Carry On. The Kingdom of God is coming; we just have to wait and pray. Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

Be vigilant at all times, not vacant. This is the preparatory season, looking forward to the birth of Jesus and the Second Coming of our Savior. Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36