Fr. Brian Soliven Sermons

The parable of Lazarus and the rich man, told by Jesus in Luke 16:19-31, contrasts the fates of two men: a poor beggar named Lazarus and a wealthy man who lived in luxury. Lazarus suffers outside the rich man's gate, longing for scraps of food, while the rich man ignores his plight. After death, Lazarus is carried to Abraham's side, while the rich man is tormented in Hades. The rich man, in his su...

The Holy  Mass holds profound significance as it is the central act of worship, where believers come together to celebrate the sacred mystery of Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist. Through the consecration of bread and wine, Catholics believe that the body and blood of Christ are truly present, not symbolically, but in reality, offering spiritual nourishment and a deep union with God. Th...

The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor is one of the most profound and awe-inspiring events in the Christian faith, capturing both the mystery of Christ's divinity and the hope of human transformation. As recounted in the Gospels, Jesus ascended the mountain with Peter, James, and John, where He was transfigured before them—His face shining like the sun and His garments becoming as whi...

In Matthew 5:48, Jesus calls on his followers to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This challenging command invites believers to strive for spiritual maturity and moral integrity, reflecting the holiness and love of God in their own lives. While recognizing human imperfection, Jesus emphasizes the importance of aiming for a Christlike character, rooted in love, compassio...

Christian teaching emphasizes the importance of reconciling with God and with one another as a central aspect of faith. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, believers are offered forgiveness and the opportunity to restore their relationship with God, no matter their past sins. This reconciliation with God also calls for reconciliation with others, as Jesus teaches in the Bible to love our neig...

Perseverance in prayer is a key theme in the teachings of St. John of the Cross, St. Benedict, and St. Teresa of Avila. For St. John of the Cross, prayer is a path of union with God that often involves dark nights of the soul, where perseverance in faith and trust is essential. St. Benedict, with his emphasis on the rhythm of prayer in daily life, teaches that consistent devotion strengthens one's...

St. Paul’s quote, "I willingly boast of my weakness," speaks to the paradoxical strength that is found in vulnerability. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul highlights how his personal weaknesses, limitations, and struggles allow God’s power to shine through. By embracing his own imperfections rather than hiding or boasting about strength, he makes room for divine grace to work more fully withi...

Every year, Ash Wednesday arrives with a powerful invitation to pause and reflect:  “You are dust, and to dust you shall return. ” This ancient call, spoken by the priest as ashes are placed on our foreheads, echoes through centuries of faith and devotion. It’s a call to recognize our place in the story of human salvation—the story that began with Adam and Eve, carried on through Abraham, Mos...

When Jesus says, "Pick up your cross," He is calling His followers to embrace the challenges, sacrifices, and hardships that come with living a life of faith. The cross symbolizes suffering, self-denial, and the willingness to follow God's will, even in the face of adversity. It's an invitation to live with purpose, endure difficulties with strength, and remain steadfast in devotion to Him, just a...

 "We are dust and to dust we shall return" serves as a profound reminder of our mortality and the need for repentance. When we receive ashes on our foreheads, it symbolizes both humility and the acknowledgment of sin. The phrase encourages us to reflect on our fragility, prompting us to seek spiritual renewal during the season of Lent. It underscores the importance of turning toward God, reco...

Giving up everything to follow Jesus is seen as an act of profound faith and commitment. Jesus himself called his disciples to leave behind their worldly possessions and attachments in order to fully embrace God's will. While this may seem difficult or even impossible, we believe that the reward of eternal life and the fulfillment of God's purpose far outweighs any earthly sacrifice. The teachings...

Demons, led by Satan, care about human beings because they view them as rivals to their own spiritual rebellion against God. Demons are believed to seek to corrupt and lead humans away from God in an effort to diminish God's creation and thwart His divine plan. Since humans are made in God's image and have the potential for salvation, demons aim to tempt, deceive, and lead them into sin, hoping to...

Jesus often used children to teach important lessons about faith and humility. He said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Children, with their simple trust and openness, demonstrate the pure faith that Jesus encourages in all of us. Just as a child believes without question, Jesus calls us to approach God with a heart...

In a world often driven by division, anger, and the instinct to seek revenge, the words of Jesus in Luke 6:27-38 stand as a beacon of radical love and boundless grace. These verses invite us into a higher way of living, one that challenges the norms of retaliation and self-interest and instead calls us to love without limits. Jesus begins with a powerful command:  “Love your enemies, do good...

In the Bible, Jesus heals a blind man in a powerful act of compassion and divine power. Jesus encounters a man who has been blind from birth. He spits on the ground, makes mud with his saliva, and applies it to the man’s eyes. This miraculous healing not only demonstrates Jesus' divine authority but also symbolizes the spiritual blindness that Jesus came to heal, offering light and truth to all wh...

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus speaks to a crowd of people, offering blessings that may seem paradoxical at first glance, especially when he says, "Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours." This statement challenges the conventional understanding of wealth and success, inviting us to reflect deeply on what it truly means to be “blessed” in the eyes of God. The word "poor" here...

And so it was, in the beginning, when the Lord God saw that Adam, the first of His creation, was alone, He declared, "It is not good for man to be alone." With divine wisdom, He caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and from his side, He took one of his ribs. From that rib, He formed the woman, and when Adam awoke, he beheld her, radiant and perfect in every way, and he knew she was bone of his b...

In the book of Genesis, the moment when God breathes life into Adam is a profound and intimate act. After forming Adam from the dust of the earth, God gently breathes into his nostrils, imparting the breath of life. This divine breath not only animates Adam’s body but also marks the unique connection between humanity and the Creator. It is a moment of spiritual and physical union, where God bestow...

 When God creates the world, He does so out of pure benevolence, fashioning everything with intentionality and care. Each act of creation is called "good" by God, revealing that all of creation reflects His perfect plan and the order He established. The crowning act of creation, the creation of humanity in God's image, underscores the dignity and purpose given to every person. Through the len...

What is the “Good News” of Christianity that we always hear about? It is none other than a profound and life-changing message: that God, in His infinite love, has made a way for us to be united with Him, through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the heart of the Gospel, and it is a message that offers hope, healing, and eternal life to all who respond to it with f...

The question of why the Gospel takes root in some nations and among certain people, while in others it does not, remains a profound mystery. Nevertheless, the Scripture passages we reflect on today remind us that our responsibility is to continue proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. The outcome, however, is entrusted to God. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are share...

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, celebrated annually on February 2nd, marks a pivotal moment in the life of Christ—a moment rich with theological significance and deep symbolism. This event, recorded in the Gospel of Luke (2:22–40), offers profound lessons about the intersection of human faith, divine promise, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. When Mary and Joseph br...

In today's Gospel, Jesus describes the word of God as a little seed in different types of soils. Some bare fruit while the other one does not. What separates the good soil from the bad?  --- 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...

Since the beginning of the Church, the beauty of the cross baffled the early Christians. In this great paradox, an instrument of Roman torture would become our greatest hope.  --- 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 r...

If you're looking to impress friends and family at your next gathering with your knowledge of Scripture, consider posing the following question: "What is the most frequently repeated phrase in the entire Bible?" While many may pause in wonder, you will already know the answer. After reading this insightful Pastor’s Desk column, you’ll be equipped to surprise the group with the answer: “Do not be a...