Fr. Brian Soliven Sermons

It is a curious thing, and wholly divine, that the tiniest speck of true faith—no larger than a mustard seed, Our Lord tells us—can upheave mountains and send them staggering into the sea. The world worships size, power, and spectacle, yet it is Heaven that smiles upon the small. A mustard seed is a laughably small thing, and yet it holds within it a forest in potential, a kingdom in miniature. So...

In the trials and tempests of life, we are called not to fear, but to trust ever more deeply in the Lord, who never abandons His children. Just as Christ slept peacefully in the boat amidst the storm, so too must we place our confidence in Him, knowing that His divine providence guides all things. Faith is not the absence of struggle, but the certainty that even in suffering, God is near—working a...

The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ reveals the profound unity between His divinity and humanity. Upon Mount Tabor, the radiant light that shone from Christ’s face and garments was not a light cast from without, but the splendor of His divine nature, veiled in humility yet now momentarily unveiled. In this glorious manifestation, the Church is given a foretaste of the resurrection and the...

***BONUS Meditation Hymn at the end from St. Mary's beautiful choir*** In every age, man is tempted to believe that the world is enough. He builds cities of glass and steel, sculpts gods in his own image, and fills his days with noise and novelty—yet his soul remains restless. As Saint Augustine so rightly said famously,  our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee . He walked in the barr...

In the paradoxical poetry of divine wisdom, it is precisely the apparent chaos of the world that most loudly proclaims the careful choreography of God's providence. The stars do not govern man, nor does man govern himself, but rather both are held in the palm of our Heavenly Father who is at once infinite and intimate. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely tha...

The notion that man is meant to become divine may strike the modern mind as madness—and indeed, it is—but it is a divine madness, a holy paradox at the very heart of Christianity. The Church does not merely say that man should be good, or even that he should be better; she dares to say that he is called to be like God . Not in pride, as the serpent whispered, but in humility. Through the astonishi...

The world, in all its modern sophistication, has grown far too clever to pray. It invents machines to answer questions and philosophies to avoid them. It has built tall towers of noise and named them progress. And yet, in the still, stubborn soul of the Christian, there remains something wonderfully irrational—a voice that persists in prayer. It is, by all worldly measures, a foolish thing to do....

In the crucible of our deepest pain, where the heart is pierced by sorrow and trial, we encounter the mystery of Christ's own suffering. It is precisely in these moments of darkness that Jesus, the Suffering Servant, draws near, offering His compassionate presence. Through the cross, He transforms our anguish into a path of grace, inviting us to unite our wounds with His, that we may find not desp...

At once comical and cosmic, there is something  in the way man complains, even when Heaven is feeding him. In the wilderness, where logic would say all things perish, God instead sends bread—not baked by human hands, but falling like dew upon the dust, as if the stars themselves were shedding crumbs. The Israelites, ever the connoisseurs of captivity, grumbled for garlic and leeks, yet God ga...

Modern man flees from suffering as if it were a thief in the night, yet the Catholic Church dares to call it a treasure. In the divine paradox so dear to the Catholic mind, redemptive suffering is not a mark of defeat but a participation in the grand drama of salvation. The world sees pain as meaningless, but the Church—scandalously, gloriously—sees the Cross. She teaches that our sufferings, unit...

Suffering, in its raw and earthly form, often feels like loss—of control, of comfort, of certainty. Yet in the mystery of the Cross, suffering is transformed into something beautiful and redemptive. For the Christian, pain is never wasted. When united to Jesus crucified, suffering becomes a hidden seed of joy—a deep, burning joy that springs not from relief or resolution, but from love. Nowhere is...

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." In these tender words, Jesus opens His heart to the weary and the wounded. He sees the hidden struggles, the silent tears, the weight no one else notices — and He invites us to lay them down. His call is not to the strong or the perfect, but to the tired, the broken, and the overwhelmed. In Him, there is no judgment, only...

O soul, if you desire to ascend the heights of holiness and be inflamed with the fire of divine love, begin with the sacred gift of repentance. For it is in the weeping of the heart that the veil is lifted, and the brightness of Christ’s mercy is made known. Repentance is the golden key that unlocks the gates of grace; it softens the stony heart and renders it tender to the touch of the Crucified....

When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, He answered with profound simplicity and eternal power: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind... and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39). In this divine teaching, Jesus gave us not only the foundation of the Christian life but also the k...

In the grand tapestry of Christian history, few figures shine as brightly as Saints Peter and Paul. Celebrated together on June 29, their shared feast day honors not only their individual missions but also their collective impact on the foundation and expansion of the Roman Catholic Church. As saints, they serve as powerful examples of faith, transformation, and unwavering dedication to Christ. Sa...

The Roman centurion stood apart from the crowds—not by blood or creed, but by the quiet strength of his belief. Though a man of authority, he humbled himself before Jesus, saying, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” In that moment, faith crossed boundaries of nation and tradition. Jesus marveled—not at the centurion's p...

St. Anthony of Padua once said, "Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak." As Catholics, we are called not only to profess our faith with our lips but to live it boldly and sincerely through our deeds. In a world longing for authenticity, our witness is most powerful when it flows from a heart transformed by Christ and expressed in loving service, mercy, and ju...

"You are the light of the world." These words from Christ are a powerful reminder of the divine spark within each of us. They call us to shine with love, truth, and compassion in a world that often feels dark and uncertain. Just as a single candle can pierce the night, your kindness, courage, and faith can illuminate hearts and guide others toward hope. You don’t have to be perfect—just willing to...

In the heart of the Roman Empire, where emperors ruled with iron fists and Caesar was declared lord, a small band of believers waited in an upper room in center of Jerusalem—afraid, uncertain, but obedient. Their Master, Jesus, had risen from the dead and ascended into heaven nine days prior with a promise: “ You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses… ”...

Christian unity is profoundly significant, as highlighted in Jesus' prayer in John 17, where He fervently prays for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity reflects the love and harmony within the Trinity, serving as a powerful witness to the world of God's transformative power. By being united, Christians demonstrate the reality of Jesus' mission and the credibility...

Sometimes I find myself wondering—wouldn’t life be easier if Jesus were physically here with me? When sorrow grips my heart and the weight of life feels too much to bear, I imagine what it would be like to turn to Him, to see Him right beside me, and whisper through tears, “Help me, Lord.” Why did He have to leave? Would my burdens feel lighter if I could just reach out and touch Him? This Sunday,...

Paul’s mission in the vibrant city of Corinth was a powerful testament to faith, courage, and perseverance. In the heart of a city known for its wealth, diversity, and moral challenges, Paul planted the seeds of a new spiritual movement, sharing the transformative message of Jesus Christ with both Jews and Gentiles. Despite opposition and hardship, he remained steadfast, building a community roote...

Living the Christian life boldly means standing firm in faith, even when the world pushes against it. It’s choosing love over fear, truth over convenience, and grace over judgment. A bold Christian life doesn’t hide in the shadows but shines brightly with the light of Christ, drawing others to hope, healing, and redemption. In every challenge, boldness rooted in Christ reveals a deep trust in His...

In today’s culture, openly identifying as a religious person often invites skepticism. Such individuals are frequently perceived as naïve, unsophisticated, or even unintelligent idiots. There is a prevailing belief that faith is a relic of childhood, while intellect demands a rejection of religion. Intelligence, after all, is often measured by the IQ—or Intelligence Quotient—with the average score...

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in guiding world history by working through events, people, and nations to fulfill God's purposes. From inspiring prophets and empowering the early Church to influencing movements for justice, peace, and truth, the Spirit acts as an unseen force shaping human affairs toward divine ends. Even amid turmoil and conflict, Christians believe the Holy Spirit continues...