Juan Point at a Time

Life can often be too busy to make time for prayer, so why not make time prayerful? Year 2 - Ordinary Time - Week 23 - Saturday

The reading from the Gospel can seem frightening, but it's just a reminder that Christ knew that life was difficult. He lived it just as we do and wants us to be as faithful as he was to the end of our days. Year C - Ordinary Time - Week 21

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was an incredibly charismatic figure from our Church history. One can think that charisma comes from a personal giftedness to persuade, but perhaps Bernard's magnetism on others came from his nearness to God. His fourth degree of love is somewhat surprising, but reveals what a profound love of God leads to and also why he continues to be a compelling figure six hundred y...

The Gospels contain many truths, not the least of which is the fact that evil can crop up just about anywhere. Year 2 - Ordinary Time - Week 17 - Tuesday

There are many people in today's reading and only one of them doesn't seem imprisoned, the prisoner. Year C - Ordinary Time - Week 17 - Saturday

God is insistent on the point that it is to His Son that we should always look for guidance. Like any relationship, that means we can come to know the Other better. Feast of the Transfiguration

God is ready to do the hardest work, but we must collaborate with him if faith is to grow. Year C - Ordinary Time - Week 19

One step in the loss of innocence is becoming aware that even the greatest among us are fallen, but that need not be a cause for discouragement! God holds the scales of judgment and it can be a relief not to have to balance things out ourselves.  Year 2 - Ordinary Time - Week 17 - Tuesday

It turns out that people are different and remain so, but that doesn't need to get in the way of grace or holiness! Year 2 - Ordinary Time - Week 17 - Wednesday

Christ is more than encouraging when it comes to prayer. He's persistent and insistent that we trust in God's goodness. Year C - Ordinary Time - Week 17

An empty tomb. God in the garden. Christ's encounter with Mary Magdalene that sets in motion a new beginning for a new creation. Feast of Mary Magdalene

Sometimes, all that Jesus asks of us is to take a moment and rest. Year C - Ordinary Time - Week 16 - Sunday

There is a great deal of helpful scholarship about God as we have come to know of Him through Christ, yet it is in knowing Him directly that most will find their peace with Him. Year 2 - Ordinary Time - Week 15 - Wednesday

Saint Benedict wrote a guide called "The Rule of Saint Benedict." It is filled with merciful and pragmatic wisdom for communal living. Today's homily focuses on just one of his many insights.

Warning: this episode includes some violence in the description of the death of Maria Goretti. Her response is that of the forgiving victim, just like Christ.

Jesus sends out his disciples as lambs among wolves and that seems like a scary prospect, unless you know what it's like to be the type of lamb Jesus intends. Year C - Ordinary Time - Week 13 - Sunday

The people marvel at the power of forgiveness that God has given to human beings. Do we, perhaps, feel called to exercise that today? Year 2 - Ordinary Time - Week 13 - Thursday

Sometimes Jesus exaggerates when he's trying to get us up and moving. The more that he demands, the more that is promised. Year 2 - Ordinary Time - Week 13 - Monday

The Gospel today offers an example of how Mary's Immaculate Heart carries the aftermath of crisis and what we can move towards in similar crises. Year 2 - Ordinary Time - Week 12 - Saturday - Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Christ wants us to know that we're not better nor worse than anyone else. He just invites us to surrender to mercy. Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Sometimes it's tempting to want to build a kingdom for God, but He wants so much more than that for each of us and asks something different than many might suspect to get there. Additional context: This homily was delivered in Canada at the tail-end of my studies there before I returned to the United States to be ordained a priest.  Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord

Jesus is saying farewell to his disciples and preparing them for his departure, by preparing them to remain near to him always. Easter - Week 06 - Sunday

Many learn as children how to defensively protect the territory they can control. Jesus comes to invite us to help him grow a new kingdom that is much greater. Easter - Week 04 - Wednesday

It is not an easy thing to see Christ in ourselves, the world, and others, but it is a great gift that Christians can give. Sometimes, however, moments of weakness like Peter's betrayal can hinder the ability to see Christ. Easter Octave - Friday

Hatred often seems to be the root of community in the world, but it is mercy, not hatred, that builds community. This is at the heart of the spread of Christianity. Year C - Lent - Week 5 - Saturday