Weekly Homilies at St. Joseph Parish

For a Christian, the works of service and charity are never to be detached from listening to the Word of God. Yes, this is a part of our lives, who we are, but the reason why we serve is to imitate Christ, Who serves all humanity. How do we know how to serve if we do not sit at His feet and listen to Him? Gospel: Luke 10:38-42 #homily #Martha #Mary #Catholic #service #Christian #Christ

In this week's Gospel, we are faced with the answer of how to attain eternal life: Love the Lord with everything you are, AND love your neighbor as yourself. Why are these two tasks so hard to live out? It's even more difficult when we understand everyone is our neighbor, not just the ones we want to be. "Go and do likewise." Gospel: Luke 10:25-37 #goodsamaritan #jesus #neighbor...

We hear this week how Jesus sends out 72 disciples to prepare the Way of the Lord. Just like our brothers of long ago, we are tasked to prepare the way of the Lord for his Second Coming. God tasks us to proclaim His glory, His salvation, and it must be shared with all. Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 #homily #mission #disciples #jesus #ordinarytime #catholic

It is the blood of the martyrs and the apostles that becomes the seeds of faith that blossoms into the Roman Catholic Church. It is thanks to their witness in taking the words from Jesus Christ himself and bringing them out into the world that you and I can be here today. If God can take a coward (St. Peter) and a murderer (St. Paul) and turn them into the greatest saints in the church, what amazi...

In today's gospel, we are challenged to examine our hearts and ask if we are ready to receive the Lord: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We need to come pure of heart. Christ first desires to heal the people before he feeds them, and that is just what he does in today's Gospel miracle. Jesus is here for our healing and our nourishment. Gospel: Luke 9:11b-17 #corpuschristi #catholic #Jesus #...

God is LOVE. We don't say God has love but that He IS love. We reflect the love of God, but our love is imperfect through sin. But God's love is complete. He can do nothing but love. And He loves us. Gospel: John 16:12-15 #love #God #perfection #catholicchurch #homily

We search for peace everywhere and wonder why we are unable to find peace. Yet still we use this vicious, never-ending search cycle, but forget to look toward God for our answer. But what were Jesus's first words after His resurrection? "Peace be with you." Go to Jesus to find the peace you are seeking. "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You." Gospel: John 20:19-23 #peace #homily #catholi...

How can I foster unity within the church and within my family? Unity doesn't mean the absence of conflict or glossing over differences. But let us be humble enough to listen to one another and lead each other to Christ. Gospel: John 17:20-26 #unity #church #catholic #Christ

Don't be scared, be prepared. This is what Jesus is telling his apostles in the Gospel today, as he prepares them to receive the Holy Spirit and to spread His Good News. We are not naive optimists, but we also aren't pessimists. As Catholics, we are realists, and we share the real saving power of God. Gospel: John 14:23-29 #prepare #jesus #apostles #catholic

What is the definition of love? It is willing the good of another. This means that love is a decision, not just a feeling. It also means that love requires sacrifice, and we have no greater example than Jesus dying on the cross for us. He told his apostles -- told us -- to love one another. Can you love your enemies? Gospel: John 13:31-33a, 34-35 #loveoneanother #jesus #love #sacrifice #catholic

Jesus says in the Scriptures that He is the good shepherd. He loves us and knows His flock. But do we belong? We may say yes because we are baptized. But do we truly know Him? Gospel: John 10:27-30 #goodshepherd #Jesus #flock #catholic

Do you love me? Jesus is calling us today just like he called Peter more than 2,000 years ago. Remember that when we answer Yes to his call, he will tell us to take care of others. This is the life Jesus lived. How will we respond? Gospel: John 21:1-19 #sheep #calling #Peter #Jesus #Easter #catholic

God's divine mercy is evident in His forgiveness. It looks like the father running to the prodigal son or Jesus telling us He will go after the lost sheep. It is the fact that God refuses to leave us in our fallen condition. The forgiveness of our sins, our new beginning, is always available. There is no expiration date. Gospel: John 20:19-31 #divinemercy #forgiveness #jesus #easter #catholic

What is the stone that covers the heart, the tomb of our soul? Ask Jesus to roll away that stone. Rejoice in His Resurrection. Have faith and believe. Gospel: John 20:1-9 #Easter #Resurrection #Faith #Catholic

What happened from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday? It is all about obedience. Jesus knew of the joy of the beginning with the terror of the end, and yet he stayed obedient to God the Father. Be obedient and receive your resurrection. Gospel: Luke 19:28-40; Luke 22:14—23:56 #palmsunday #eastersunday #jesus #catholic #holyweek

The story of Lazarus's miraculous rising from the dead is deeply embedded with symbolism of what was to happen next to our Lord, Jesus Christ, on Calvary. From Jesus weeping to the timing to the burial clothes, we can hear how this event in Bethany was a foretaste of the passion, death, and resurrection of the Son of God. Gospel: John 11:1-45 (Scrutiny Year A) #Lazarus #Jesus #Catholic #Lent

Is prayer really that important? YES! We see prayer all through the Bible, and even Jesus took time to pray in solitude as well as with the people. Prayer is necessary for our faith journey. "If you want to experience true happiness on Earth, pray more." ~ St. John Vianney Gospel: John 9:1-41 #prayer #pray #God #Jesus #Catholic

We hear this weekend about the life-giving water that Jesus offers the Samaritan woman and, in turn, to us. This imagery of water is prevalent throughout the Bible, a call to renewal, to cleansing, to holiness. We are told to receive this water, these graces and sacraments beautifully. Gospel: John 4:5-42 (Scrutiny Year A) #water #Jesus #sacraments #catholic

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation." The illuminating reality of the transfiguration of Jesus arrives at a time when it was needed most. The disciples were probably distraught with the fog of darkness covering their minds. There is no shortcut. However, this darkness is only temporary. Suffering, pain, and death must be endured and confronted because they lead to the light, lead to t...

Why would the Spirit lead Jesus into the desert? This is a symbolic event of Jesus' human nature. Though He was sinless, we are not. While the devil's temptations are unsettling, because we are human, it is important to recognize that until the very last breath we take, we will be tempted. We should be on guard. Gospel: Luke 4:1-13 #temptation #Jesus #Lent #catholic

Who are our role models? When we think of an example for our lives, Jesus is the first in line. But it is hard for us, as sinners, to see Jesus' perfection as attainable. This week's First Reading and Gospel give us a blueprint for qualities of a genuine role model and how we can become role models for others. First Reading: Sirach 27:4-7 Gospel: Luke 6:39-45 #rolemodels #Bible #Jesus #Cat...

We can say the way of Christ is impossible for us. But as we know, as St. Paul tells us, we are joined to the heavenly through our baptism. We are given the grace to live our God's Way. Gospel: Luke 6:27-38 #baptism #grace #theway #catholic

Do you worry about how people in your community view you? We have two types of social statuses: the worldly social status and the social status of heaven. What do you want your social status to be? First reading: Jeremiah 17:5-8 Second reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26

God calls each and every one of us to a vocation. We are called to help each other become saints. Jesus led the fishermen in today's Gospel to their vocation as His followers, and they were obedient. Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 #vocation #priesthood #fishermen #Jesus

Today is the Presentation of the Lord. Jesus is the Light of the world, which is why we hold and bless candles today. He is the true Savior, the Messiah. Also, listen to Fr. Peter Rettig's vocation story and how God called him to become a priest. Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 #presentationofthelord #lightoftheworld #Jesus #vocation #priesthood