Sanctuary Views

Every path through life and every form of government--especially self-government--has its own yoke and burden. There's a good reason why Jesus could say: "My yoke is easy and my burden light." Homily for the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time and the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America.

Refreshing others and being refreshed as we find our life by losing it. Homily for the Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Jesus doesn't only say, "Fear no one" but also "be afraid." Ordering our fears properly helps us to overcome adversity. Homily for the Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time and Father's Day.

Jesus called twelve real people with real lives and with real sin, all of which they were called to leave behind to follow Him. But leaving those things is not a onetime event. Homily for the Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Our desire for companionship suggests something profound about our Creator. Homily for Holy Trinity Sunday.

Three short stories testifying to the Holy Spirit's presence and activity, and an invitation to reflect on what could be preventing his fruitfulness. Homily for Pentecost.

Don't forget that Jesus has involved you in His mission. Let's dispense with the distractions and get to work. Homily for the Ascension of the Lord.

Jesus said that if we love him, we'll keep his commandments and he will send us the Holy Spirit. This implies that something is present that allows the Holy Spirit to do his work. Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter and Mothers Day.

Our church will no doubt be a reflection of God's building us up into a spiritual house, but He has left space for us to contribute, too. Let's work to assure that the church really is an authentic reflection of our life of faith. Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter and our annual Discipleship Renewal.

By saying that He is the gate, and on the other side is salvation, Jesus seems to be suggesting that following Him has to do only with the individual and Jesus--walk through the gate and be saved. But upon closer inspection, it's clear the Apostles understood that differently. Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter.

Homily for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Homily for Good Friday.

Homily for Holy Thursday.

Christ became poor to enrich us. What real impact does that have on our lives? Palm Sunday Homily.

If Lazarus' illness and death were for the glory of God--that who He is might be revealed--then might our sufferings and sadnesses be part of God's larger plan? Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Freedom from fears is possible, but it seems to require admitting our ignorance and limitations. Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent.

The story of the woman at the well who encounters Jesus and is changed is so ancient and yet so very relevant. Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent.

God's call to follow Him into the unknown requires the faith to trust that His hopes for us are greater than our own. Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent.

An ancient Desert Father sheds light on the Devil's schemes. Homily for the First Sunday of Lent.

Today's Gospel is a doozy. But it's part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, which must mean that His words are intended not to reduce our happiness--our beatitude--but to increase it. Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Being the "Salt of the Earth" and the "Light of the World" is a calling, but not one we can achieve on our own. St. Augustine's words to God come to mind: "Give what You command, and then command what You will." Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time.

You are...because of Him. Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time.

What gifts do you have? What do others see in you and call you to achieve? To what is Jesus calling you? Answering these questions well helps us to properly plot our course through this life. Homily for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time.

In this divisive and derisive time, reflecting the Lamb of God's light to the nations is as needed as ever. Homily for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Forgiveness is a defining characteristic of any Christian community, which is sincerely felt when the mask hiding our shortcomings is removed. Homily for the Baptism of the Lord.