Homily Rewind from St. Margaret Mary Church

The Word of God came to John the Baptist in the wilderness as he proclaimed a baptism of repentance. During the season of Advent, we're called to remove those things from our life that cut us off from God's Word and do not bear fruit in our life.

Fr. Shenoy tells us of the importance of Advent. Let us not be preoccupied with the secular celebration of Christmas. Rather, let us focus on this season of Advent and its necessity, as we prepare for the birth of Christ.

We are called to proclaim Jesus Christ as King, and to be faithful disciples. Sometimes we let other things have reign in our life. Fr. Adam encourages us to be bold in proclaiming Jesus Christ as King in all aspects of our life.

Deacon Dave reminds us to look with joyful hope at the judgement of God in the last days by, like Deacon Nemsy, keeping our eyes focused on our Heavenly Father with childlike love and trust.

Deacon Bill speaks to us about stewardship. He says that our gifts of time, talent, treasure, and trust are needed to hear God say to us, at our end time, "well done good and faithful servant."

In the Gospel the poor widow gave all she had. Fr. Walsh tells us, we need to be good stewards of what we are given by the Lord, and give generously to those in need.

Love God and Love your neighbor. Fr. Shenoy tells us that the two go hand in hand and it is impossible to love God if we do not love our neighbor.

Bartimaeus was healed from his physical and spiritual blindness on that day when he became a disciple of Christ. Deacon Nemsy challenges us, like Bartimaeus, to become a disciple and an ambassador for Christ.

Do I listen when Jesus calls me? Bartimaeus decided to be Jesus’ disciple when he was called after he was healed. Deacon Tommy tells us that we are all called to become disciples of Jesus, everyday, in every decision that we make in our lives.

On our Parish's Feast Day, Fr. Walsh tells us about our patroness, St. Margaret Mary. Her life was one devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Fr. Walsh says that contemplation and prayer are a very important part of our spiritual life and that we all need to "sit at the feet of Jesus."

As Catholics, we uphold a consistent ethic of life from conception until natural death. Jesus looks at us with eyes of love, calls us to receive His gaze that we might follow him, and in turn bring that love to those around us.

On Respect Life Sunday, Fr. Shenoy talks about marriage and the importance of communication, prayer, and forgiveness in building a strong life-long marriage.

Fr. Walsh speaks briefly on the Gospel this weekend, saying we need to be inclusive and to be concerned about all those in our community. Then SMM parishiner Tom Gawronski talks about his involvement in the Lazarus Ministry that helps those living in the Lee Road Motels.

In today's Gospel, Jesus attempts to instruct the disciples about his future passion for the second time. This Catechetical Sunday, we are called to reflect on our own journey of discipleship and see how we are called to instruct others through an encounter.

Who do you say that Jesus is? Deacon Dave tells us if we truly believe Jesus is our Savior, the son of God, and the one who wants to make us whole, then our lives will reflect that belief.

Deacon Tommy talks about the darkness of 9/11 and how light also came from this. He asks us in what ways we can be 'spiritual first responders' and pick up our cross and run to those in need.

Are you spiritually deaf? Fr. Shenoy challenges us be like the deaf man in the Gospel and seek out Jesus in order to experience His healing. We are all invited to be open to Jesus and His will.

Disciples are not born… disciples are made. Fr. Walsh tells us we are all called to be disciples by Jesus. We are all called to lay down our lives for Jesus and put Him first in our lives.

In today's Gospel, the disciples turned away from Jesus and reject his total self gift. When we experience rejection in our own life, we are called to turn to Jesus for consolation. We must turn to the Sacraments, given to us by Jesus, so that we might be like the twelve who said, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

Deacon Nemsy tells us of Mary, the Mother of God on the Solemnity of her Assumption. He tells us she is his Mother and our Mother and we need to be close to her and to love her.

Deacon Dave delivers a homily from Deacon Bob who could not be there to deliver this homily. On the Assumption of Mary we are reminded the Blessed Virgin always intercedes for us and points us towards Christ, who is indeed the Savior of the World.

Do you want eternal life? Fr. Shenoy tells us Jesus is present in the Eucharist which is the "Bread of Life." Our belief in this is the key to our own eternal life.

God is always good! Deacon Tommy tells us that God has a plan for us and we need to trust in that plan, we need open ourselves us up and let Him come into our heart. We need to become the “Bread of Life” that we are given and share it with others.

What is this? Fr. Anthony asks us "Do we really know what the Eucharist is?" He tells us we must see Jesus in the Eucharist and realize it is indeed the Bread of Life. We must be renewed when we receive this Body of Christ!

Jesus used 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed the 5000. Deacon Dave tells us that we need to rely on Jesus to feed us in the Eucharist, and to be more like Him, in order to invite others to share of the good news of our Eucharistic Lord.