Fr. Brian Soliven Sermons

Jesus gave us a simple yet profound commandment: to love one another as He has loved us. In doing so, He invites us into the very heart of His presence. This love isn’t shallow or fleeting—it’s sacrificial, patient, and full of grace. When we love others with that same depth, we remain in His love, like branches connected to the true vine. It’s in this abiding love that we find joy, peace, and the...

**Bonus musical piece at the end of the homily from a Requiem Traditional Latin Mass ** The altar in a Catholic church is more than a table—it's the sacred heart of worship, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice and presence among His people. Here, heaven meets earth as bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ during the Eucharist. It stands as a place of offering, transformation, and divine en...

Even in our deepest suffering, Jesus is present, shaping our pain into something purposeful. What feels like brokenness to us can become a testimony of His grace, strength, and redemption. Through our trials, He reveals His power to heal, restore, and bring hope to others walking through the dark. When we surrender our wounds to Him, He doesn't waste a moment—He transforms them into a story of glo...

“I give you a new commandment: love one another.” With these simple yet profound words from this Sunday’s Gospel passage, Jesus gave us the greatest commandment—a call to live lives of deep compassion, selflessness, and courage. Few have lived out this command as powerfully as St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic priest whose love broke through the darkness of World War II in one of history’s most ter...

Sharing the joy of the Christian message is a powerful act of love and hope. It brings light to dark places, offering peace to the troubled and purpose to the lost. When we share the good news of Christ’s love, we become vessels of grace, reminding others they are never alone. Each word of encouragement, each act of kindness inspired by faith, has the potential to transform hearts. In a world ofte...

Remaining in Jesus' love is the anchor that holds us steady through every storm. His love is not earned—it is freely given, constant, and unchanging. When we choose to abide in it, we find peace that surpasses understanding, strength beyond our own, and a purpose that transcends the temporary. In a world full of shifting values and fleeting affection, His love is a firm foundation. It empowers us...

Praying the Rosary through Our Lady of Fatima holds profound spiritual importance, as it was her urgent request to the world during her apparitions in 1917. She called for daily recitation of the Rosary as a means to bring peace to the world, end wars, and convert hearts. Through this devotion, we unite ourselves with her motherly mission of salvation, offering reparation for sin and drawing close...

Habemus Papam! WE HAVE A POPE! And in a stunning turn of history—he's American! For the first time ever, the Chair of St. Peter is occupied by a pope from the United States. Few anticipated this outcome. Leading up to the election, the prevailing wisdom held that the cardinals would shy away from choosing a pontiff from the world’s preeminent economic, political, cultural, and military power, fear...

**Bonus hymn at the end of the homily from our 2PM Traditional Latin Mass **   After the resurrection, Jesus met His disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. There, in a quiet and intimate moment, He turned to Peter and asked a question that pierced the heart: “Do you love me?” He asked it not once, but three times—echoing the three times Peter had denied Him before the crucifixion. This...

 ***English Homily Begins at Minute 12:00 ***   A estas alturas, muchos de ustedes probablemente ya habrán escuchado la noticia del fallecimiento del Papa Francisco, quien dejó esta vida el lunes pasado a la edad de 88 años, después de enfrentar problemas de salud durante un tiempo. Justo un día antes de su muerte, se vio paseando por la Basílica de San Pedro en la Ciudad del Vaticano en...

St. Peter casting his net into the water is a powerful symbol of faith, obedience, and divine calling. When Jesus instructed Peter to cast his net despite an unfruitful night of fishing, Peter obeyed—and the resulting miraculous catch revealed the abundance that comes from trusting in God's word. This moment not only demonstrated Jesus' divine authority but also marked Peter's transformation from...

The Road to Emmaus story beautifully mirrors the Holy Mass, reminding us that Christ walks beside us even when we fail to recognize Him. Just as He opened the Scriptures to the disciples and their hearts burned within them, so too are our hearts stirred during the Liturgy of the Word. And as He revealed Himself in the breaking of the bread, we encounter His real presence in the Eucharist. The jour...

Easter, at the heart of the Catholic faith, is not just a celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the dead—it is the proclamation that death no longer has the final word. For Catholics, this truth transforms everything. It means that the tomb is not the end. Suffering is not wasted. And love, poured out to the last breath, is not lost to silence. Easter is the victory of life over death, light ove...

Jesus continues to carry His cross in our lives each day through the love, strength, and grace He offers in our struggles. Every time we face hardship with faith, forgive when it’s hard, or choose compassion over anger, we walk with Him. His journey wasn't just a moment in history—it’s a living reminder that even in pain, there is purpose, and even in the darkest hour, there is hope. He carries Hi...

 Jesus indicated that the betrayer was someone close—someone who had dipped his hand in the bowl with him. This moment revealed Jesus’ awareness of Judas Iscariot’s impending betrayal, fulfilling the Scriptures and setting the stage for his arrest and crucifixion. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words ha...

How can God get us back? This is the ultimate question. If you were God, how would you win humanity back? Your biggest problem would be free will. You cannot force us to love God, otherwise, you remove our ability to choose. Love by its very definition needs to be a free choice.. Enter the genius and beauty of Holy Week. God’s rescue mission will be on full display in the most unexpected of ways....

Christianity is more radical than we ever imagined. We're not merely meant to be "nice" but new. Come tonight to our parish Bible Study to find out how.  --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing t...

"Ready for Holy Week? Tonight at 6:30 PM at St. Mary's, twelve priests will be available to hear confessions. This is a wonderful opportunity to spiritually prepare as we approach the most significant week in Christianity. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunt...

The story of Lazarus’ resurrection in the Gospel of John is one of the most profound and stirring accounts in the Christian tradition. In John 11, Jesus calls forth Lazarus from the grave after he has been dead for four days, demonstrating His divine power over death and revealing the fullness of His identity as the Son of God. While the event itself is a miracle of unparalleled magnitude, the ear...

God’s love was most profoundly displayed on the cross, where Jesus, in His infinite compassion, took on the weight of humanity’s sins. Through His sacrifice, He demonstrated an unmerited, boundless love that surpasses all understanding. On the cross, God’s mercy and grace were made visible, offering redemption and eternal life to all who believe. It is in this act of selfless love that we witness...

The Old Testament prophets hold significant importance in both Jewish and Christian traditions. They were believed to be chosen by God to convey His messages, guiding the people of Israel with warnings, encouragement, and calls for repentance. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel not only foretold future events but also urged moral and spiritual renewal, emphasizing justice, mercy, and fait...

The Jewish temple holds deep religious and historical significance in Judaism. It originally referred to the sacred structure in Jerusalem where the ancient Israelites performed rituals and sacrifices to God. The First Temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed in 586 BC, while the Second Temple, reconstructed in 516 BC, stood until its destruction in 70 AD. For Jews, the temple represented the...

Brothers and sisters, let us turn our hearts to one of the most beautiful parables ever told—the story of the Prodigal Son. A story that speaks to the deepest yearnings of our souls, a story that reveals the very heart of God. This is a story not just about a wayward son, but about the longing of our Heavenly Father for each and every sinner—no matter how far we have gone, no matter how lost we ma...

First and foremost, the Ten Commandments offer a clear framework for understanding how to love and honor God, as well as how to live in harmony with others. By teaching these principles, we instill a deep respect for God's authority and a commitment to integrity, honesty, and kindness. These commandments help us recognize the importance of honoring our parents, respecting the sanctity of life, and...

The story of the woman at the well, found in John 4:1-30, is a profound account that not only reveals God’s desire for all people, but also highlights significant theological insights that early church fathers, such as Augustine, Chrysostom, and Origen, have offered. Their interpretations illuminate the deeper spiritual meanings behind Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, revealing God's rel...