Reflections on the Word

(2013/12/1) Fr. Anthony preaches about our rootedness in our families, but more fundamentally in God. During this Advent season, we must become convinced that we need a savior. // Readings (Cycle A) // Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122:1-2,3-4,4-5,6-7,8-9 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44

(2013/12/1) Fr. James preaches about the difficulties we can have with the season of Advent, how Advent is about both celebrating Jesus’ “advent” and preparing for His second coming, and how the presence of Christ within us should bring about radical change. // Readings (Cycle A) // Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122:1-2,3-4,4-5,6-7,8-9 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44

(2012/12/8) Fr. James invites us to examine how our own lives compare to Mary’s and how we have made use of the gifts given us by the Lord. // Readings // Genesis 3:9-15,20 Psalm 98:1,2-3,3-4 Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12 Luke 1:26-38

(2012/6/24) Fr. Jan preaches about the modern obsession with “self” and how St. John the Baptist invites us to change our fundamental vision in this regard. We are called not to “self-hood” but sainthood. // Readings // Isaiah 49:1-6 Psalm 139:1-3,13-15 Acts of the Apostles 13:22-26 Luke 1:57-66,80

(2012/11/4) Fr. Jan preaches about how voting on election day is a moral obligation and an act of charity. Just like Saints Thomas More and Thomas Becket, we should put God first in all things, even if that entails suffering. // Readings (Cycle B) // Deuteronomy 6:2-6 Psalm 18:2-3,3-4,47,51 Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 12:28b-34

(2012/10/23) Fr. James preaches about how the request of James and John is often like our own prayers and how we will not be able to understand the Cross without being able to honestly call God “Abba.” // Readings (Cycle B) // Isaiah 53:10-11 Psalm 33:4-5,18-19,20,22 Hebrews 4:14-16 Mark 10:35-45

(2012/10/9) Fr. Jan preaches about the beauty of life and dignity of marriage in the face of the lies of the world and the culture of death. // Readings (Cycle B) // Genesis 2:18-24 Psalm 128:1-2,3,4-5,6 Hebrews 2:9-11 Mark 10:2-16

(2012/9/23) Fr. James preaches about the two qualities of children we should imitate and asks us to reflect on our own thoughts during Mass and if we are willing to listen to Jesus tell us about His Passion. // Readings (Cycle B) // Wisdom 2:12,17-20 Psalm 54:3-4,5,6 & 8 James 3:16—4:3 Mark 9:30-37

(2012/9/16) Fr. James invites us to reflect on who Jesus is for us and unpacks Jesus’ mysterious phrase directed at Peter: “Get behind me, Satan.” // Readings (Cycle B) // Isaiah 50:5-9a Psalm 116:1-2,3-4,5-6,8-9 James 2:14-18 Mark 8:27-35

(2012/9/9) Fr. Jan preaches about the lengths to which God goes to allow us to hear Him, and talks about the four components of true stewardship. // Readings (Cycle B) // Isaiah 35:4-7a Psalm 146:7,8-9,9-10 James 2:1-5 Mark 7:31-37

(2012/9/2) Fr. James preaches on the necessity of engaging the heart when following God’s laws and how to know if we have interiorized the commandments. // Readings (Cycle B) // Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8 Psalm 15:2-3,3-4,4-5 James 1:17-18,21b-22,27 Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

(2012/8/26) Fr. James unpacks the beauty and meaning of the “contentious” verse: “Wives, be subordinate to your husbands.” // Readings (Cycle B) // Joshua 24:1-2a,15-17,18b Psalm 34:2-3,16-17,18-19,20-21 Ephesians 5:21-32 John 6:60-69

(2012/8/12) Fr. James preaches about how we are material and spiritual beings, with a need to care for both parts, as well as the necessity of believing in the Eucharist if we believe in Jesus. // Readings (Cycle B) // 1 Kings 19:4-8 Psalm 34:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9 Ephesians 4:30—5:2 John 6:41-51

(2012/7/29) Fr. James preaches about barley loaves and how Jesus desires our littleness. // Readings (Cycle B) // 2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 145:10-11,15-16,17-18 Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-15

Fr. Jan relates Jesus's busy life to our own busy life. // Readings (Cycle B)// Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23:1-3,3-4,5,6 Ephesians 2:13-18 Mark 6:30-34

Fr. Jan talks about evangelization and mission. // Readings (Cycle B)// Amos 7:12-15 Psalm 85:9-10,11-12,13-14 Ephesians 1:3-14 ( shorter form Ephesians 1:3-10) Mark 6:7-13

Fr. James discusses repentance as a change in the way we think. // Readings (Cycle B)// Amos 7:12-15 Psalm 85:9-10,11-12,13-14 Ephesians 1:3-14 ( shorter form Ephesians 1:3-10) Mark 6:7-13

Fr. James challenges us with some tough questions: Do you know Jesus? Do you really know him? Do you speak to him, listen to him, and do what he asks? // Readings (Cycle B)//  Ezekiel 2:2-5 Psalm 123:1-2,3-4 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Mark 6:1-6

Fr. Jan discusses sin as seeing the good and choosing to do something else instead. // Readings (Cycle B)// Ezekiel 2:2-5 Psalm 123:1-2,3-4 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Mark 6:1-6

Fr. James addresses the common misconceptions surrounding how Catholics view healthcare. // Readings (Cycle B)// Wisdom 1:13-15 ; 2:23-24 Psalm 30:2,4,5-6,11,12,13 2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15 Mark 5:21-43 ( shorter form, Mark 5:21-24,35b-43)

Fr. James reminds us that Ordinary time is not ordinary. It is i fact special because we reflect on the things Jesus said and did. // Readings (Cycle B)// Ezekiel 17:22–24 Psalm 92:2–3,13–16 2 Corinthians 5:6–10 Mark 4:26–34

Fr. Jan emphasizes the importance of the celebration of the Eucharist, similar to the importance of gathering around the dinner table to enjoy a family meal. Discover Adoration: https://smoy.org/blog/adoration-101 Learn more about the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Corpus Christi: https://smoy.org/blog/feast-corpus-christi // Readings (Cycle B)// Exodus 24:3-8 Psalms 116:12-1...

(2012/05/28) Fr. James welcomes Fr. Ricardo from Honduras before asking the questions: Is the Church just medieval and crazy? Why is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity on the same level as Christmas and Easter? // Readings (Cycle B)// Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40 Psalm 33:4-5,6,9,18-19,20,22 Romans 8:14-17 Matthew 28:16-20

Fr. Jan gives a homily for Pentecost // Readings (Cycle B)// Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11 Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13 John 20:19-23

Fr. James gives homily for Pentecost. (Sound starts around 1:25) // Readings (Cycle B)// Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11 Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13 John 20:19-23