St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies

Did you know there were Isthmian games in ancient Greece along with the Olympics? Father Chuck weaves a little geography and history lesson into today's homily for some background on St. Paul's message to the Corinthians. We have no need to worry about prestige or other human measures when we have Jesus. Let us each shine God's light in the darkness for others from our earthly "jar of clay". Catho...

Did you know that God has a plan that only you can accomplish? While we strive to line ourselves up with God and keep working to become holy; Jesus our Big Brother rescues us from what distances us from God. Let us lift our hearts up to the Lord and pray for God's grace to find out what God is calling us to do. Catholic Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 1, 2026 First R...

Do you think that St. Paul's message to the Corinithians also applies to you? Striving for unity among Christians is just as important today as it was in the first century. That's why every Mass includes prayers for unity, and why there is a special Christian Unity week every year. Let us gather together in courageous and hopeful trust in God for His peace and unity to be restored. Catholic Mass r...

Do you feel God's energy calling you to be holy? In today's homily, Father Chuck recommends one way that we can please God. To decrease the "pollution of negativity" in the world, let's bring our personal hurts and irritations to God instead of spreading them to others. And let's also find ways to talk positively with others about our faith, letting the name of Jesus "bubble up" as St. Paul does i...

Do you hear Jesus also speaking to you when he speaks to John The Baptist in today's Gospel? Jesus is asking all of us to cooperate with Him in continuing His mission to do good. Let us seek out the "bruised reeds and smoldering wicks" to whom Jesus wants us to bring God's healing. Catholic Mass readings for The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Feast, Sunday, January 11, 2026 First Reading: Isaiah...

What treasures do you have that represent who you are, and how does God want you to use them? In today's homily. Father Chuck shares a story from a Worklight member who recognized God's voice, as we all are able to do. Let us ask the Holy Spirit for opportunities this year to be "co-partners in the promise" and give what we treasure to the Lord. Catholic Mass readings for the Feast of the Epiphany...

How can St. Joseph help us gain holiness? Father Chuck points out that St. Joseph is the only member of the Holy Family to be born with sin, as we are, so his life is a good example for us. St. Joseph shows us the importance of recognizing the voice of God, following God's guidance, and dedicating our lives to God and to helping others. Let us pray to St. Joseph to help us become who God created u...

Merry Christmas, Podcast Listeners!  If you love surprise gifts for Christmas, you'll love Fr. Chuck's Christmas homily with its surprising titles for Jesus to supplement those in our First Reading from Isaiah! If you didn't join us at any of the Christmas Masses at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, you'll just have to listen to this recording of the Christmas Day Mass to figure out what Fr. Chuck'...

Did you know that God has an Advent present for you? As Paul describes in todays second reading, the obedience of faith is waiting for us. We just need to ask for God's help. And just as the Lord instructs Ahaz in the first reading, God wants us to "ask big". Let us trust in big things from God starting this Advent. Catholic Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025 First Re...

What gifts can we find in the desert? God asks us to be patient and not to fear hardship nor to complain about others. Let us carve out some time for solitude this Advent so we can bloom in God's saving grace. Catholic Mass readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 14, 2025 First Reading: Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 6-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10 Second Reading: James 5: 7-10 Alle...

How can we bring God's endurance and encouragement to others this Advent? Jesus brings hope from the tree of Jesse that was foretold by Isaiah and has persisted through centuries.  Our own parish apple tree is an example of regrowth and resilience for us. Let us pray daily to be a source of blessing for someone else, to be an agent of God's love. Catholic Mass readings for the Second Sunday of Adv...

What are you giving up this Advent? In today's homily, Father Chuck reminds us of the importance of enriching our Advent to prepare for Christ's Mass, and tells us two stories to illustrate Jesus's role as the "Good Thief". Let us make way for Jesus to show us His love by taking away our sins, and leaving us the gift of His grace. Catholic Mass readings for the First Sunday of Advent, November 30,...

Listen now to consider how to give thanks to God in difficult times, as well as in delightful circumstances. Plus, hear about a delightful "God-incidence" from Fr. Chuck. He tells how the disappointment of a canceled European pilgrimage led to an uncanny East Coast encounter—at a Mass at a small mission church in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley—between him and the son and daughter-in-law of St. Eliza...

Have you experienced Jesus connecting the dots in your life? Father Chuck connects today's readings in his homily about God's kingly power and concern for us. Let us trust in God's caring for us in every age and every little detail. Catholic Mass readings for Christ the King Solemnity, Sunday, November 23, 2025 First Reading: Second Samuel 5: 1-3 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 122: 1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 S...

Did you know that whatever work you do is spiritual? All work serves God as we follow the way of Jesus. Listen to Father Chuck's homily on today's second reading and the importance of work for God and the good of others, and hear this week's homework. Catholic Mass readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 16, 2025 First Reading: Malachi 4: 1-2a Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98: 5-6, 7-...

Do you think of yourself as having a small drip or a flowing stream of God's grace? In today's second reading we hear that we are each God's temple filled with the Holy Spirit, so God's grace flows from us. Listen to Father Chuck's homily to learn more and get your spiritual homework for the week. Catholic Mass readings for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, November 9, 2025 First Rea...

Thank you to Father Ted Frison for filling in for Father Chuck this weekend. In his homily, Father Ted helps us understand God's role as Creator of the Universe, in which we are connected to all of the souls who came before us and to the Creator's love. In today's Gospel, Jesus says that He should not lose anything that the Father gave him. Let us carry on God's love and treasure all that He has g...

When you're feeling good about something you've done, are you being righteous or self-righteous? In today's Gospel, St. Paul is confident in his rightful relationship with God. It's okay to ask God to guide us to be righteous, being grateful when we have pleased God. Let us ask God to work through us to become more righteous and to help the poor and suffering. One way to do so is to read Pope Leo'...

Fr. Chuck "reviews," reads from, and recommends a book on the Psalms titled,  A Long Obedience in the Same Direction , by Eugene H. Peterson. At the Multnomah County Library website, patrons can put a hold on the ebook version or on the paperback—making Fr. Chuck return the copy he's borrowing! Learn more about it from its publisher by visiting  https://ivpress.com/a-long-obedience-in-the-same-dir...

Do you know that gratitude isn't optional?  It's our duty to be thankful; grateful faith connects us to God and brings us joy. Let us think of all of the things we are thankful for, so that our gratitude is not chained. And let us help those who are isolated and stigmatized as the lepers in today's readings were. Catholic Mass readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 12, 2025 First R...

How are you choosing to use the gifts that God has given you? Are you stirring them into flame to grow your love and faith in Jesus? God has given us gifts that we can't get anywhere else, and every day it's up to us to decide how to use them. Catholic Mass readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 5, 2025 First Reading: Habakkuk 1: 2-3; 2: 2-4 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95: 1-2, 6-7,...

Did you know that the last Sunday of September in the U.S. is Priesthood Sunday? Today's readings ask us to see beyond ourselves, and to realize that there is more to life than our comfort. Jesus asks us to support those in need, which includes our seminarians. Catholic Mass readings for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 28, 2025 First Reading: Amos 6: 1a, 4-7 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms...

Do you ever think of Mass as a source of power? Our participation in Mass brings us God's power and grace, and helps us become more of the person God wants us to be, especially helping us to bring God's love to the poor. Catholic Mass readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 21, 2025 First Reading: Amos 8: 4-7 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 113: 1-2, 4-6, 7-8 Second Reading: First Timo...

Are you wondering about the opening line of the second reading that "Jesus ... did not regard equality with God something to be grasped?" Father Chuck helps us to understand it by comparing Jesus to a jeweler's son who needs to rescue radiant diamonds (us) from the muck. Jesus understands and embraces the need to become human to be able to triumph over sin as God the Son, and doesn't seek the same...

How has following Jesus radically changed your life? In today's second reading, St. Paul reveals Christianity as a revolutionary movement in which a slave becomes a beloved brother. It's just as true today that we as Christians are led by God to grow beyond worldly categories as we grow closer to Christ. Catholic Mass readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 7, 2025 First Reading: ...