Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Homily from Divine Mercy Sunday. It’s not about your first or last confession. It’s about your next one. The Christian life doesn’t end with a first confession, baptism, or Easter moment, it continues through the next step. What keeps love alive is not looking back, but continually returning to Christ through confession, mercy, and grace. Each “next” encounter with Jesus strengthens faith and guards against a cold heart. Mass Readings from April 12, 2026: Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-241 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31

Homily from Easter Sunday. Everything given and taken is restored. Jesus did not rise from the dead to merely prove a point. He rose so that all could be restored. Everything we give to Him...everything we allow Him to take...all of it can be restored. Mass Readings from April 5, 2026: Acts 10:34,37-43 Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-9

Homily from Good Friday. A king without His armor. At the end of our lives, there are no defenses. At the end of Christ's life, He clings to no defenses. He has poured it all out, and all is taken from Him. All that is left is the Man Himself. At the end of our lives, we will only be left with our heart...everything else is taken. Mass Readings from April 3, 2026: Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1—19:42

Homily from Holy Thursday. Jesus knew. And He still gave everything. At the end of Lent, we realize that we have been called to give. To give our time and attention to God in prayer. To give up things in fasting. To give help to those in need. Jesus gives at the Last Supper. He gives everything...fully knowing the truth of the people for whom He gives everything. Mass Readings from April 2, 2026: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-181 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15

Homily from Palm Sunday. It is not my fault, but it is my responsibility. When there is something that we like, we are quick to claim it. When there is something we don't like, we are quick to claim it is not our fault. But our story must end with our becoming like the Father...and the Father bears the marker of adulthood: The Cross. Mass Readings from March 29, 2026: Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24Philippians 2:6-11 Matthew 26:14—27:66

Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Life AFTER his life WITH. Some great stories tell us an important piece of information: where are they now? In our autobiography, after we have experienced "the return"; after we have experienced grace, how do we live? What does our "bonus chapter" look like? What is in our Epilogue? Mass Readings from March 22, 2026: Ezekiel 37:12-14 Psalm 130:1-8Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Lent At the end of the story, who will you be? What you seek shapes what you see. Look for hope. Look for joy. Look for goodness. The things you train your eyes to notice will shape the person you become. At the end of the story, who will you be? Mass Readings from March 15, 2026: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41

Homily from the Third Sunday of Lent From the middle, you can't see the end. From the middle, you can't see the end. But just know you're making progress, even if you don't feel it.  Mass Readings from March 8, 2026: Exodus 17:3-7 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-42

Homily from the Second Sunday of Lent Every story has a title. Does one moment define the whole thing? There is often a speech that lives inside each of us. That speech can become the title of our story. Is that title marked by resentment? Or is there a larger event that can define our lives? Mass Readings from March 1, 2026: Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 222 Timothy 1:8b-10 Matthew 17:1-9

Homily from the First Sunday of Lent. Every story has a beginning. As we begin Lent, we are faced with the question: If I live the next 25 years of my life the way I've lived the past seven days, where will I end up? Who will I become? We are writing our life story with every choice that we make. Are we writing in rebellion? Or with God as the Co-Author? Mass Readings from February 22, 2026: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11

Homily from the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus didn't give us a new weight to carry, but a new way to carry the weight. We all have things that we NEED to do. When we show up knowing that we are doing what God has asked, there is the necessity to also do what God has asked us to do the WAY God has asked us to do it…with love. Mass Readings from February 15, 2026: Sirach 15:15-20 Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-341 Corinthians 2:6-10 Matthew 5:17-37

Homily from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus, do not let what You did for me end with me. To have been given all that one needs...and then to not use it would be a tragedy. We are surrounded by the tragedy of wasted potential. But this doesn't have to be the end of our story. Mass Readings from February 8, 2026: Isaiah 58:7-10 Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-91 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16

Homily from the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Do not give away what has real value for counterfeit happiness. There are many idols in our lives that promise the happiness that only God can give. The counterfeits of Wealth, Power, Pleasure, and Fame have taken all that people have and left them with nothing. Jesus gives us a new way to live...that actually leads to authentic happiness. Mass Readings from February 1, 2026: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-101 Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 5:1-12a

Homily from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time The question is not IF God will show up, but HOW will God show up. There are times in our lives when it seems like there is no way forward. There are times when it seems like there is no way God can come through on His promises. There are times when it seems like God will not show up. But God always does in a way only He knows. Mass Readings from January 25, 2026: Isaiah 8:23—9:3 Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-141 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17

Homily from the (week in Church year.) Subtitle Description Mass Readings from {Month} {Date}, {Year}: First Reading PsalmSecond Reading Gospel

Homily from the The Baptism of the Lord The traps of believing we are God's advisors...or His performers. Baptism changes us. It begins an entirely new life in each one of us. And yet, when we approach the Lord, we can be tempted to act, not as God's adopted children, but as His counselors or his performers. Mass Readings from January 11, 2026:Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10Acts 10:34-38 Matthew 3:13-17

Homily from the The Epiphany of the Lord Indifference can turn into hostility. Christ has come close. And yet, we all still have a choice: will we remain indifferent to His presence or will we seek Him out? If we choose indifference, we will not remain indifferent. When it comes to God, we either give Him our hearts or we remove Him from our lives. Mass Readings from January 4, 2026:Isaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12

Homily from the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Resolve: I will not take these things for granted. We are surrounded by the amazing and miraculous every day. But we often miss it because our lives are too busy and too full. If we take a page out of Mary, the Mother of God's book, we would reflect on all these things...and no longer take them for granted. Mass Readings from January 1, 2026: Numbers 6:22-27Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21

Homily from the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph The "trad family" goes back farther than the 1950's... Men and women need to be authentically masculine and feminine for their marriages and families to thrive. But what IS authentic masculinity? What IS authentic femininity? Mass Readings from December 28, 2025: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Homily from The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) What if all I received was HIM this Christmas? We have waited for Jesus—and now that He is here, true gratitude is shown by living fully in the gift of His presence and love. Mass Readings from December 25, 2025:Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Advent What happens when I don't get what I've been waiting for? All through the Bible, God makes certain promises. He always fulfills them. But we cannot expect God to fulfill a promise that He has never made. No matter what, whether we get what we've waited for or not, we can hope in HIM. Mass Readings from December 21, 2025:Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24

Homily from the Third Sunday of Advent In seasons of waiting, do we complain or praise? While we are waiting, it can feel like nothing is happening. And yet, faith tells us that God is at work even when we can't yet see the fruit. Rather than complaining while we wait, there is another option. Mass Readings from December 14, 2025: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11

Homily from the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast day of the Immaculate Conception is not just a privilege for Mary: it's a prophecy for us. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception reveals God's plan to conquer sin not just by repairing what is broken, but by preparing a path where grace triumphs first. This Advent we are invited to enter into the "Sacrament of the Present Moment", where God offers real, life-changing grace in each moment we choose to be present to Him. Mary's unique "yes" reminds us to stop waiting and to respond to God's already-given grace with a wholehearted and immediate "yes". Mass Readings from December 8, 2025: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Psalm 98:1-4Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Luke 1:26-38

Homily from the Second Sunday of Advent. We worry while we wait. Advent teaches us not just to wait, but to trust while we wait. When we surrender worry and remember who God is, waiting becomes a place of grace instead of frustration. Mass Readings from December 7, 2025: Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12

Homily from the First Sunday of Advent. The process is the point. When we are waiting, we often want to be "done". We want to be "there". We want our waiting to be over so that we can start living. But life happens right here and right now. And God is doing something right now. We do not simply endure waiting, we engage during the waiting. The declaration of faithful waiting is: I am confident that this moment is crucial. Mass Readings from November 30, 2025: Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122: 1-9Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44

Homily from The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The moment of victory is the moment of vulnerability. We often think that we win by being strong, or beautiful, or clever, or powerful. But Christ wins by another means. Christ the King, Lord of the Universe wins by choosing to empty Himself of all that we think we need to win. Mass Readings from November 23, 2025: 2 Samuel 5:1-3 Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5Colossians 1:12-20 Luke 23:35-43

Homily from the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Would you rather be admired? Or loved? The Day of the Lord is coming. When everything that is true about our hearts will be revealed. What should not be there must be burned up or transformed so that we can be fully known...and fully loved. Mass Readings from November 16, 2025: Malachi 3:19-20 Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 92 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19

Homily from the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. If you were what you were meant to be, you would set the world on fire. There are some things that are dedicated...consecrated to be something special. They are meant to be something unique. Others merely used to be something unique. Which one am I? Mass Readings from November 9, 2025: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-91 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17 John 2:13-22

Homily from the Commemoration of All the Faithfully Departed (All Souls). By the end of this Mass, some things will be changed forever. Purgatory is an essential teaching of Christianity. It highlights that salvation is both an event and a process. Purgatory is God's gift on continuing the process of making our hearts like His that He began in this life. Mass Readings from November 2, 2025: Wisdom 3:1-9 Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6Romans 5:5-11 John 6:37-40

Homily from the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Nothing to Offer. Nothing to Prove. Nothing to Hide. When we stand before the gates of Heaven and we are asked why we should be let in...what is our answer? How would we approach Heaven? How do we approach God now? We might approach God with our resume, or as an audition, or with perfection...but we need to approach in a different way. Mass Readings from October 26, 2025: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 232 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14

Homily from the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Persist through severity. There are big moments in our lives. We usually think of the beginning or the end of something as the moments of consequence. But the middle often holds the most impactful moments of consequence; times when we are called to persevere...to "remain faithful" to the decisions we have made. Mass Readings from October 19, 2025: Exodus 17:8-13 Psalm 121:1-82 Timothy 3:14-4:2 Luke 18:1-8

Homily from the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Break the cycle and build your life on a relationship with the God who saved your life. We often find ourselves in the same cycle as many people in the Bible: We find ourselves in desperate need, we cry out to God, He answers, we thank Him...and then we forget. There is a way to break this cycle and build our lives on a relationship with the God who saved our lives. Mass Readings from October 12, 2025: 2 Kings 5:14-17 Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-42 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19

Homily from the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. You have already been given everything you need to be a saint. Imagine finding out that you had an inheritance. So many problems could be solved and you could do so much...if only you had more. But what if you had everything you need already? Mass Readings from October 5, 2025: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-92 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 Luke 17:5-10

Homily from the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time When comfort is our god, we end up underliving our lives. Modern life has done a powerful job of reducing stark deprivation. This is a good thing. But one of the results is that many of us have become captive to comfort. Mass Readings from September 28, 2025: Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-101 Timothy 6:11-16 Luke 16:19-31

Homily from the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Don't let what Jesus did for you end with you. Jesus is the one Mediator between God and humanity. He has saved us. But God wills that all humans are saved. Because of this, He calls those who have been saved by Him to brings His salvation to everyone else. Mass Readings from September 21, 2025: Amos 8:4-7 Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-81 Timothy 2:1-8 Luke 16:1-13

Homily from the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross The sign of our shame has become the symbol of our hope. The Cross of Jesus is God's answer to our guilt. The Cross of Jesus is God's answer to our lack of trust. The Cross of Jesus is God's answer to evil. Mass Readings from September 14, 2025:Numbers 21:4b-9Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38Philippians 2:6-11 John 3:13-17

Homily from the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Whenever there is something of value that we desire, we have to ask these two questions. Jesus gives the conditions for discipleship. He gives us the very "cost" of being His disciple. The condition is: He must be FIRST. He must be loved before all others. Mass Readings from Septemeber 7, 2025: Wisdom 9:13-18b Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17Philemon 9-10, 12-17 Luke 14:25-33

Homily from the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Humility is nothing other than acknowledging and living the truth. Humility is not pretending to be someone other than we are. It is neither pretending to be better nor pretending to be worse than we are. But is the freedom and the joy of living the full truth about ourselves. Mass Readings from August 31, 2025: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 Psalm 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a Luke 14:1, 7-14

Homily from the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Discipline isn't the point, but it is the path. God calls us to develop the potential He has given us by leaning into the discipline He is calling us to. Who is it you want to be? What do you want to be true about you? Mass Readings from August, 24, 2025:Isaiah 66:18-21 Psalm 117:1, 2Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 Luke 13:22-30

Homily from the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Villains and Heroes are made out of the same stuff. We are not surrounded by villains and heroes, we are surrounded by ordinary people. And every one of us, by our daily choices, can become a villain or hero. Mass Readings from August 17, 2025: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18Hebrews 12:1-4 Luke 12:49-53

Homily from the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary God had no backup plan after Mary. The Assumption of Mary is the reality that Our Lady was taken up entirely into Heaven. This is, in some ways, the fulfillment of her entire life. Since she belonged totally to God, she was brought totally to God. Mass Readings from August 15, 2025:Revelation 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16 1 Corinthians 15:20-27 Luke 1:39-56

Homily from the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Without obedience, there is no faith. Followers of Jesus want to grow in faith, but do they understand what it is to live by faith? Mass Readings from August 10, 2025: Wisdom 18:6-9 Psalm 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 Luke 12:32-48

Homily from the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Remember you will die. Remember you have died. We are called to live a new life. But we cannot live a new life until we have allowed our old life to die. We need to remember that we will die in the future. Christians also have the chance to remember that we already have died. Mass Readings from August 3, 2025: Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-14 and 17Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 Luke 12:13-21

Homily from the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The battle of prayer. Every one of us knows that we ought to pray. But not all of us know how. In addition, not all of us know that prayer can often be a challenge...it is a battle. Mass Readings from July 27, 2025: Genesis 18:20-32 Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8Colossians 2:12-14 Luke 11:1-13

Homily from the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Do it for the love of Jesus. We all have a lot to do. We may even be tempted to resent all that we have to do. But if we do it for the right reason, even the most difficult tasks take on new power and new purpose. Mass Readings from July 20, 2025: Genesis 18:1-10 Psalm 15:2-5Colossians 1:24-28 Luke 10:38-42

Homily from the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Knowing is nice. Doing makes the difference. We can know exactly what to do, but unless we act on what we know, nothing will change. Mass Readings from July 13, 2025: Deuteronomy 30:10-14 Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37Colossians 1:15-20 Luke 10:25-37

Homily from the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. There are some things worth risking everything for. Those who signed the Declaration of Independance risked everything. Every Christian who follows Jesus is risking everything in order to have the Lord. Mass Readings from July 5, 2025: Isaiah 66:10-14 Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20Galatians 6:14-18 Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Homily from the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Jesus came to establish a Church. The Church is an essential part of God's Kingdom on earth. Jesus is the King. Peter (and his successors) are the stewards of the King. This role has the authority to teach, guide, and govern. Mass Readings from June 29, 2025: Acts 12:1-11 Psalm 34:2-92 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 Matthew 16:13-19

Homily from the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Jesus did not say "Read this in memory of Me." He said "Do this in memory of Me." The greatest gift Jesus gave us is Himself in the Eucharist. And yet, even people who love Jesus very much can miss this gift without the guidance and teaching of the Church. Mass Readings from June 22, 2025: Genesis 14:18-20 Psalm 110:1-41 Corinthians 11:23-26 Luke 9:11-17

Homily from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Even when the Bible seems clear, earnest Christians can get it wrong. We need a Church to tell us when we are wrong. The most important revelation of God is His own identity. From the beginning, Christians have needed more than the words of Sacred Scripture to guide them into all truth. We have needed the Holy Spirit leading the Church through error to know the depths of God's identity. Mass Readings from June 15, 2025: Proverbs 8:22-31 Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9Romans 5:1-5 John 16:12-15

Homily from Pentecost Sunday. Without an infallible Teacher, an infallible Book is a worthless book. The Church is messy. But it is also holy. And has been given the ability and the authority of Jesus to teach. Even in the midst of the brokenness of the human element of the Church, the Church is still the Infallible Teacher of Divine Revelation. Mass Readings from June 7, 2025: Acts 2:1-11 Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 341 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23

Homily from the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Jesus didn't give us the Bible. He gave us the Church. And the Church gave us the Bible. All Christians believe in the 27 books of the New Testament. We all believe these books are the inspired Word of God based on the authority of the Church to recognize this truth and teach it. The same Church has the authority to declare the 46 books of the Old Testament as well. June 1, 2025: Acts 7:55-60 Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 John 17:20-26

Homily from the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Do we rely on the Bible alone? The Church is not optional. When there is a question that is not covered explicitly in the Bible (and even when it is), where do we look for guidance? Mass Readings from May 25, 2025: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23 John 14:23-29

Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Life is difficult. You don't have to move on alone. In a difficult life and a difficult mission, Paul had someone with him who helped him continue to do the work he was called to do. Paul had someone who helped him move on. Mass Readings from May 18, 2025: Acts 14:21-27 Psalm 145:8-13Revelation 21:1-5 John 13:31-33a, 34-35

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Easter. We get the behavior we are willing to tolerate. There are times when we need to establish boundaries...even with the people we love. Even as Christians, we need to choose and clearly communicate what we are able to or willing to tolerate. Mass Readings from May 11, 2025: Acts 13:14, 43-52 Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5Revelation 7:9, 14b-17 John 10:27-30

Homily from the Third Sunday of Easter To be restored, we must revisit the place of ruin. When we are called to move on, we may need to revisit the places in our lives that need healing in order to allow the Lord to change our future. Mass Readings from May, 4th, 2025: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19

Homily from the Second Sunday of Easter, Sunday of Divine Mercy Five words that can change your life. Life is filled with change and uncertainty. But there is one thing that is stable and unchanging. Mass Readings from April, 27, 2025:Acts 5:12-16 Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 John 20:29

Homily from the The Resurrection of the Lord, The Mass of Easter Day Get up and do what you can. We know that darkness is real. And death is real. But darkness and death are not the end. There are some things that never die...Faith...Love...the Promise of eternal life. Mass Readings from April, 20, 2025: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 John 20:1-9

Homily from Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion This is not the end of the Story, but it had to happen for the Story to go on. The Passion of Christ is not the end of the Story, but we must pause and reflect on it. It is the lens through which we see: What love looks like when it costs everything, what sin looks like when we can see the wounds, and what mercy looks like when it refuses to give up. Mass Readings from April, 18, 2025: Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1—19:42

Homily from Holy Thursday, Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper He loved them to the end. One of the characteristics that marks modern man is that we find ourselves angry at God. In fact, we are so angry that we would be willing to hurt God if we could. Yet, God is invulnerable. He cannot be hurt. Still, God chose to step into this world and love us...while making Himself vulnerable. Mass Readings from April, 17, 2025: Isaiah 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18.1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15

Homily from Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. Thank God ahead of time. We often put off joy and praise and peace. We are tempted to be preoccupied with wanting to be "there" or wanting to be "done" with whatever we are working on or whatever we are doing. Yet, as Catholics, we are called to be "here". We can best live "on the way" when we don't wait to thank God; when we thank God before we are "there". We can thank God right here. Mass Readings from April 13, 2025: Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24.Philippians 2:6-11 Luke 22:14—23:56

Homily from the Fifth Sunday in Lent. We run out of all hope...and then Jesus. The Dead End is a necessary place of the way. The location where we run out of our own skill and our own strength and find ourselves completely unable to move forward on our own. In the midst of the dead end...and then Jesus. Mass Readings from April 6, 2025: Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126:1-6Philippians 3:8-14 John 8:1-11

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Lent. To look like Jesus, we must learn how to live in the Presence of the Father. When it comes to our relationship with the Father, too often it is marked by hiding our hearts or avoiding His gaze. But we must learn how to live like Jesus, who remained in the Father's Presence at all times and with profound trust. Mass Readings from March 30, 2025: Joshua 5:9, 10-12 Psalm 34:2-72 Corinthians 5:17-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Homily from the Third Sunday of Lent. We all want peak moments, but growth happens in the Valley. Why do we walk through valleys? What good is life in the valley? Is it only a negative? Is it always a punishment from God? Or could the valley be necessary? Mass Readings from March 23, 2025: Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15 Psalm 103: 1-4, 6-8, 111 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 Luke 13:1-9

Homily from the Second Sunday of Lent. A big life is a series of small crossroads. Life happens at the crossroads. Life is also a series of small crossroads that might seem insignificant, but add up to a life of beauty and meaning...or a life potentially wasted. Mass Readings from March 16, 2025: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 Psalms 27:1, 7-9, 13-14Philippians 3:17—4:1 Luke 9:28b-36

Homily from the First Sunday of Lent. The only way out is through. As we enter into the desert, the desert takes away the things we tend to trust in...the things we use as comforts and crutches...and we are led through the "training place" to the place of being able to live like Christ. Mass Readings from March 9, 2025: Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15Romans 10:8-13 Luke 4:1-13

Homily from the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Silence reveals our hearts and silence trains our hearts. As we enter into the place of training, we realize that there are certain things that reveal the condition of our hearts...trial, tribulation, speech, and silence. But we need to consciously enter into these if we are going to know ourselves and be trained in the way of Christ. Mass Readings from March 2, 2025: Sirach 27:4-7 Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-161 Corinthians 15:54-58 Luke 6:39-45

Homily from the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Love those who deserve it. And those who don’t. Jesus gives us a commandment that existed from the beginning: we are to love those who deserve it. This is justice. Jesus goes on to teach us and even greater love: mercy. Mass Readings from February 23, 2025: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-131 Corinthians 15:45-49 Luke 6:27-38

Homily from the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. We live in this life, but we live for the next life. Jesus turns our fears and our hopes upside down...because through the Resurrection, Jesus has turned the world upside down. Mass Readings from February 16, 2025: Jeremiah 17:5-8 Psalms 1:1-4 & 61 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 Luke 6:17, 20-26

Homily from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. There are two requirements: Be available and be willing to try. There are times when the future is so uncertain and so unknown that we hesitate to move. But since we know that God is with us, He has a call on our lives, and His grace is active...we can take the next step without fear. Mass Readings from February 9, 2025: Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8 Psalms 138:1-5, 7-81 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11

Homily from the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Do what you know, where you are. What is the Greatest Thing you will ever do? What if the Greatest Thing is not something you accomplish, but who you become? Mass Readings from February 2, 2025: Malachi 3:1-4 Psalms 24:7-10Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40

Homily from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. You've been given a great work, and must not come down. Since you have been made on purpose, there are two ways to live: on purpose and off purpose. But if a person has been made to be great and set apart for a purpose, why would they ever choose to live off purpose? The common culprits are distraction, forgetting, comparison, and living a shadow mission. Mass Readings from January 26, 2025: Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10 Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 151 Corinthians 12:12-30 Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Homily from the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Why be great? A powerful goal in life is to be great. To be able to say, "I am good at this" regardless of comparison, but with an eye towards real excellence. At the same time, even when we have a goal and have a plan, we all need to be motivated by WHY. Mass Readings from January 19, 2025: Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 96:1-3, 7-101 Corinthians 12:4-11 John 2:1-11

Homily from the Baptism of the Lord. You've been claimed at the lowest point. The Baptism of the Lord is a mystery. The mystery of how Christ comes into contact with the water...and it does not change Him; He changes it. This is the pattern from this moment on: Christ comes into contact with us, claims us, and changes us. Mass Readings from January 12, 2025: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Psalms 29:1-4, 9-10Acts 10:34-38 Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Homily from the Epiphany of the Lord. There is something powerful about optimism. Optimistic people are more likely to be risk takers and more likely to have a positive view of life. But optimistic people also have to have something stronger than mere "wishful thinking" to lean on when their own strength runs out. Mass Readings from January 5, 2025: Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13.Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12

Homily from the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. When we know God's will, we must respond with "yes". There are truly horrible and troubling things that can happen in each one of our lives. And yet, at every moment, we have the opportunity to respond in faith and love. Our response of trust can be summed up in one word: "Yes". Mass Readings from January 1, 2025: Numbers 6:22-27 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21

Homily from the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Make it your ambition to live a quiet life. In a world where so many people live their lives "on display," the Holy Family shows us what it is to live a quiet (and meaningful) life. Mass Readings from December 29, 2024: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Psalms 128:1-5Colossians 3:12-21 Luke 2:41-52

Homily from the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). The one who has gratitude has enough. At the moment we get to stand before the Lord face to face, what will the automatic and overwhelming response be? Will it be a word of love? Of contrition? Or will it be two words that summarize everything that could be said to the God who has used everything to get us ready to stand before Him? Mass Readings from December 25, 2024: Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalms 98:1-6.Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

Want to walk through Advent with Fr. Mike? Join us for daily video Advent reflections in the Ascension App: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/frmikeadvent Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Advent. I'm not going to fear what I don't know, I am going to trust who I do know. We can wait in excitement and joy...we can also wait in fear. We fear the dark and might fear death for the same reason: the unknown. We can fear the unknown in the afterlife and we can fear the unknown of our own inner life. God's mercy leads us to a place of trust. Mass Readings from December 22, 2024: Micah 5:1-4 Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45

Want to walk through Advent with Fr. Mike? Join us for daily video Advent reflections in the Ascension App: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/frmikeadvent Homily from the Third Sunday of Advent. How can we see the Lord face to face til we have faces? We tell ourselves so many stories. Some of these stories are true and some of them are not. One challenge we have is to tell true stories...about ourselves and about the Lord. In order to be able to see the Lord face to face, we will need to know ourselves and some before God as our true selves. Mass Readings from December 15, 2024: Zephaniah 3:14-18 Isaiah 12:2-6Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-18

Want to walk through Advent with Fr. Mike? Join us for daily video Advent reflections in the Ascension App: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/frmikeadvent Homily from the Second Sunday of Advent. God will bring the work He has begun to completion. We can do so many things in the Christian life that are important. But if we miss the most important aspect of following Christ, our lives will be incomplete. We are called to love...and yet we do not have it in us to be able to love the way we need to. Thankfully, God meets us in our need and our lack and supplies us with all we need. Mass Readings from December 8, 2024: Baruch 5:1-9 Ps 126:1-6Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 Luke 3:1-6

Want to walk through Advent with Fr. Mike? Join us for daily video Advent reflections in the Ascension App: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/frmikeadvent Homily from the First Sunday of Advent. We are made to see the Lord face to face...but are we ready for that? Advent is a time to prepare to see the Lord face to face. We are preparing to have the ability to stand before the Lord. But we often find ourselves reluctant to be seen because we are afflicted and affected by shame. How do we move forward and allow the Lord to deal with our shame? Mass Readings from December 1, 2024: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalms 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 141 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2 Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Miss the Livestream? Wanting to Donate? Make a Donation: http://www.bulldogcatholic.org https://www.givemn.org/organization/Newman-Catholic-Campus-Ministries-At-Umd Watch the Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTybyJQuDQY Homily from the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Mass is the fuel for our life in the world...and our life in the world is an extension of the Mass. The words, "The Lord be with you" are meant to prepare us for great things...dangerous things. When we hear them at the end of Mass, they prepare us to bring what we've done at the altar out to the world. Mass Readings from November 24, 2024: Daniel 7:13-14 Psalms 93:1, 1-2, 5Revelation 1:5-8 John 18:33b-37

Mark Your Calendars! Donate Today! Give to the Max Day: Thursday, November 21st, 2024 http://www.bulldogcatholic.org https://www.givemn.org/organization/Newman-Catholic-Campus-Ministries-At-Umd Day of Thanks Livestream Event: Thursday, November 21st, 2024 7PM CST http://www.youtube.com/ascensionpresents Homily from the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. At Mass, you are not in the bleachers. You are on the field. You are in the game. We are kingdom priests. But do we know what we are saying? Do we know what we are praying? Mass Readings from October 17, 2024: Daniel 12:1-3 Psalms 16:5, 8, 9-11Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 Mark 13:24-32

Mark Your Calendars! Donate Today! Give to the Max Day: Thursday, November 21st, 2024 http://www.bulldogcatholic.org https://www.givemn.org/organization/Newman-Catholic-Campus-Ministries-At-Umd Day of Thanks Livestream Event: Thursday, November 21st, 2024 7PM CST http://www.youtube.com/ascensionpresents Homily from the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is truly right and just...worship sets us free. Does God need our worship? He does not. But we do. Worship sets us free from slavery and opens us up to love. Mass Readings from November 10, 2024: 1 Kings 17:10-16 Psalms 146:7-10Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44

Homily from the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Worship is not about what we get, but about what we can give. When it comes to Mass, we often complain that we "don't get anything out of it". Is that what Mass is about? Is that what love is about? Or is love (and worship) about what we can give? Mass Readings from November 3, 2024: Deuteronomy 6:2-6 Psalms 18:2-4, 47, 51Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 12:28-34

Homily from the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The heart of worship is sacrifice. We know that the sacrifice of Jesus once-for-all is the moment that saves us. It is possible to be present to this moment and offer that one sacrifice now. Mass Readings from October 27, 2024: Jeremiah 31:7-9 Psalms 126:1-6Hebrews 5:1-6 Mark 10:46-52

Homily from the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. A thing is worth what someone is willing to sacrifice for it. How do we know what a thing is worth? When it comes to God, do we know how to worship Him? Mass Readings from October 20, 2024: Isaiah 53:10-11 Psalms 33:4-5, 18-20, 22Hebrews 4:14-16 Mark 10:35-45

Homily from the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. God's Word is living and active. In order to understand our lives clearly, we need to know The Story. In order to know The Story, we need to become familiar with the Bible. Mass Readings from October 13, 2024: Wisdom 7:7-11 Psalms 90:12-17Hebrews 4:12-13 Mark 10:17-30

Homily from the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. God has called us here. God is with us here. God will not leave us here. Marriage will always be a challenge. But there is a way to move forward in this challenge that brings greater peace and joy. There are no guarantees other than "I will not leave" and "God will not leave". Mass Readings from October 6, 2024: Genesis 2:18-24 Psalms 128:1-6Hebrews 2:9-11 Mark 10:2-16

Homily from the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Restriction is the first step towards freedom. God is good. God wants all of us to have the fullness of life and of joy. God wants all of us to have HIM. But there are things that suffocate joy. There are things in our lives that rob us of God. There are things that we choose to keep in our lives that strip us of freedom. And Jesus calls us to be ruthless in how we approach those things. Mass Readings from September 29, 2024: Nehemiah 11:25-29 Psalms 19:8, 10, 12-14James 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Homily from the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Not all ambition is bad. Every good thing that we have in our lives we most likely have because an individual (or group of individuals) wanted to do something great. Jesus warns us of the dangers of wanting to be first. James warns us about selfish ambition. But is every desire to be great or to do great things wrong? Mass Readings from September 22, 2024: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 Psalms 54:3-6 and 8James 3:16—4:3 Mark 9:30-37

Homily from the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our answer makes a difference. We are presented today with the single most important question any of us will be asked and all of us will have to answer: who do you say that Jesus is? Mass Readings from September 15, 2024: Isaiah 50:5-9 Psalms 116:1-9James 2:14-18 Mark 8:27-35

Homily from the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Love the person in front of you. It is easy to walk through life and feel invisible. Like you don't matter. Like you have nothing to offer. But when we are seen by Christ, all of that has the potential to change. And then we can begin to see that we are called to love the person in front of us who has nothing to offer. Mass Readings from September 8, 2024: Isaiah 35:4-7 Psalms 146:6-10James 2:1-5 Mark 7:31-37

Homily from the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. It's the least you can do. We are made to strive. We are made to pursue the ideal. But we also need to know what the minimum is. We also need to know: What is the least I can do? (And still give the Lord access to my heart!) Mass Readings from September 1, 2024: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 Psalms 15:2-5James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Homily from the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Do not miss your turn. There are times in our lives when we have the opportunity and the ability to make a decision that will change the direction of our lives. Joshua issued this invitation to the people of Israel as they entered the Promised Land and we are issued the same invitation. We must decide for ourselves whom we will serve. Mass Readings from August 25, 2024: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Psalms 34:2-3, 16-21Ephesians 5:21-32 John 6:60-69

Homily from the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Let praise go up first. There is something that every Christian can do at every moment and in every situation...that most of us forget to do. Or we fail to do it. God has called us to offer praise at all times. Mass Readings from August 18, 2024: Proverbs 9:1-6 Psalms 34:2-7Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58

Homily from the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Body and soul in Heaven. The fact of the Assumption is the greatest reminder that all those who have died in Christ are meant to rise with Christ. All of us will get our bodies back and we will rise on the Last Day; some to the Resurrection of Glory and others to the Resurrection of Shame. Mass Readings from August 15, 2024: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10 Psalms 45:10, 11, 12, 161 Corinthians 15:20-27 Luke 1:39-56

Homily from the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. What does a"win" look like? There are times when we accomplish our goals...and then we still feel that there ought to be something more. There are times when "winning" is just as empty as "losing". In those moments, we have the opportunity to step back and ask what we are shooting for. These are the moments we can ask "what does a 'win' look like?" Mass Readings from August 11, 2024: 1 Kings 19:4-8 Psalms 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9Ephesians 4:30—5:2 John 6:41-51

Homily from the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. There are four kinds of vision...one is the most helpful. We all want to see the world accurately. But most often, we fall into the blindness of being shortsighted. Then we want foresight so that we can know what will happen. Or hindsight so that we know what we've lived through. But God calls us to a newer sight. One that helps us get out of the desert by going through the desert. Mass Readings from August 4, 2024: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 Psalms 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 John 6:24-35

Homily from the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Give the first fruits and gather the fragments. We are given two commands in this weekend's readings: to give the first fruits and gather the fragments. Our temptation, however, is to do the opposite; to give the fragments and gather the first fruits. In order to have a heart like Christ, we must become givers. Mass Readings from July 28, 2024: 2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalms 145:10-11, 15-18Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-15

Homily from the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. A person cannot be excellent without rest. Human beings are made in God's image. We are also made for love, for labor, and for leisure. Since the Fall, these gifts have become distorted in our hearts and we have to fight for the ability to love well, to labor well, and even to leisure well. But we must strive to rest well if we are going to be the people God has made and redeemed us to be. Mass Readings from July 21, 2024: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalms 23:1-6Ephesians 2:13-18 Mark 6:30-34

Homily from the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Does God have permission to say "I want it back?" We are all living on borrowed time. And borrowed gifts...and borrowed strengths... Everything we have has been loaned to us from God. At some point, God will interrupt our lives and will ask for His gifts back. He will interrupt our lives and ask for us to return all that has been entrusted to us. Will we be free enough to say "Here it is. I hope that the way I used it glorified You."? Mass Readings from July 14, 2024: Amos 7:12-15 Psalms 85:9-14Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:7-13

Homily from the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. God can be glorified through our wounds, not merely in spite of them. We all experience brokenness. We all experience God's love through a broken lens. And yet we do encounter them in this way. Mass Readings from July 7, 2024: Ezekiel 2:2-5 Psalms 123:1-42 Corinthians 12:7-10 Mark 6:1-6

Homily from the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Sacraments are God's presence and power...do we let them change us? We continually come into contact with the living God in the Sacraments. But we often leave our encounter with the Sacraments the same as when we arrived. If we are open to what God wants, we are surrendering to His will. Mass Readings from June 30, 2024: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-132 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15 Mark 5:21-43

Homily from the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Rebellion, Resentment, or Rejoicing. We are called to surrender to God's will. But how do we surrender? Is it a matter of feeling or is it a matter of something else? Surrender is an active, dynamic thing. And it is the opposite of rebellion and resentment. Mass Readings from June 23, 2024: Job 38:1, 8-11 Psalms 107:23-26, 28-312 Corinthians 5:14-17 Mark 4:35-41

Homily from the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Courage is the willingness to do God's will on your own accord. We find ourselves in a place where we face uncertainty and difficulty. And yet, we are called to nonetheless move forward with courage. We walk by faith and not by sight. We choose to trust in God's Word more than our fears. Mass Readings from June 16, 2024: Ezekiel 17:22-24 Psalms 92:2-3, 13--162 Corinthians 5:6-10 Mark 4:26-34

Homily from the Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. God can even use a broken world to accomplish His will. What is the point of life? Is it to be happy? To get what you want? Or is the point of life to become like God? And this world is specifically designed to help you become that kind of person. Mass Readings from June 9, 2024: Genesis 3:9-15 Psalms 130:1-82 Corinthians 4:13—5:1 Mark 3:20-35

Homily from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Do I not know? Or do I not care? The Eucharist is truly the Body, and Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Beyond all of God's other gifts, this gift stands alone. Because it is the gift of His very Self. And yet, too often our hearts are cold and indifferent to this Greatest of Gifts. Mass Readings from June 2, 2024: Exodus 24:3-8 Psalms 116:12-13, 15-18Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Homily from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. God wants to spend time with you. The Mystery of the Holy Trinity is the Mystery of God's identity. The tri-Personal God is more than an abstract concept, yet the Trinity can often remain in our minds as a vague "idea". And yet, in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God has claimed us, brought us into a new relationship with Him, and made us a new creation. Mass Readings from May 26, 2024: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 Psalms 33:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22Romans 8:14-17 Matthew 28:16-20

Homily from Pentecost Sunday. The best way to thank the Giver is to use the gift. At Pentecost, the Lord poured out His Holy Spirit upon the disciples and blessed them with His gifts. Immediately, they used those gifts. These gifts were given to be used. And so are all of the gifts God continues to give. Mass Readings from May 19, 2024: Acts 2:1-11 Psalms 104:1, 24, 29-31, 341 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23

Homily from the Solemnity of the Ascension. Who am I building up? God has given us His promise of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us and makes us holy, but the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to us so that we can participate in the work of God in the world. At His Ascension, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit so that we could continue His work here on earth. Mass Readings from May 12, 2024: Acts 1:1-11 Psalms 47:2-3, 6-9 Ephesians 1:17-23 Mark 16:15-20

Homily from the Sixth Sunday of Easter. The strength that got you here is not the strength needed to get you there. As we continue to grow and age and mature, we also continue to experience the reality of decline. Each of us will come to know what it is to have less youthful strength. Rather than lament this fact, we can learn to adapt and choose a different strength. We can choose a new definition of what it is to "win" at life. Mass Readings from May 5, 2024: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 Psalms 98:1-41 John 4:7-10 John 15:9-17

Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Easter. You got to wake up today. We don't know if we will have enough time to finish, but we do know that we have time to start. We have a tendency to delay, but the only time that we have is now; and since we got to wake up today, we have the chance to say "Now, I begin". Mass Readings from April 28, 2024: Acts 9:26-31 Psalms 22:26-28, 30-321 John 3:18-24 John 15:1-8

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Stand in the truth and do the next right thing. Life can easily overwhelm us, leaving us in a place where we feel beaten and in a season of discouragement. But choosing humility and hope...choosing to live the truth and to do the next right thing...is the key to living courageously. Mass Readings from April 21, 2024: Acts 4:8-12 Psalms 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 291 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18

Homily from the Third Sunday of Easter. The first step is to stop. Once we realize that we have to repent...that we are called to "change our minds"...the first step is to stop. To examine what it is that we are thinking and to which thoughts, sins, and false images of God we have made agreements with. And then to break those agreements in order to say "Now I begin". Mass Readings from April 14, 2024: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 Psalms 4:2, 4, 7-91 John 2:1-5a Luke 24:35-48

Homily from Divine Mercy Sunday. Mercy is the love we need the most and deserve the least. We all want to get what we deserve. We want justice, and God is Just. But there are times when we need something more than justice...there are times when we might deserve justice, but need mercy. Mass Readings from April 7, 2024: Acts 4:32-35 Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-241 John 5:1-6 John 20:19-31

Homily from Easter Sunday. Are Jesus and the Mass merely optional...or essential? We have such full lives and such small hearts that we are relieved when things get cancelled. But, for the things that are neccesary, we would be devasted if we missed them. Who Jesus is to us will determine our response when we are not able to get to Mass or receive the Eucharist. Mass Readings from March 31, 2024: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-9

Homily from Good Friday. Jesus won the world in His weakness. We would like for our Lord to be triumphant in His conquering of sin and death. But the people around Him as He saved the world were largely ignorant, indifferent, or antagonistic. Yet, Jesus won the world through His wounds. Mass Readings from March 29, 2024: Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Psalms 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1—19:42

Homily from Holy Thursday, the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. We all have unique sadnesses. Jesus enters into all of them. Holy Thursday is a day that marks the gift of the Priesthood, the Eucharist, Christ's humble service, and the beginning of the Triduum. Today, we reflect on Peter, Judas, and Jesus in their unique sadnesses. Mass Readings from March 28, 2024: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 Psalms 116:12-13, 15-181 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15

Homily from Palm Sunday. You are meant to be a part of the story. As Christians, we know the Story and we believe the Story. We know how God has saved the world by entering into suffering and death. But we are called to more; we are called to participate in the Story. Our apostolate is marked by Acceptance, Access, and Action. Mass Readings from March 24, 2024: Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalms 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24Philippians 2:6-11 Mark 14:1—15:47

Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Lent. You don't have to find God's will in this moment and these circumstances...this moment and these circumstances are God's will for you. The greatest lesson that anyone of us can learn is simple, but it is not always easy: you can trust God in every moment and all circumstances. Mass Readings from March 17, 2024: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalms 51:3-4, 12-15Hebrews 5:7-9 John 12:20-33

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Lent. We often feel owned by the past or powerless in the present. Once something is broken, is it really lost forever? Mass Readings from March 10, 2024: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 Psalms 137:1-6Ephesians 2:4-10 John 3:14-21

Homily from the Third Sunday of Lent. The greatest grace is to know the depth of our brokenness and to know the depth of His love. Father Walter wanted to be like his heroes. We all want to think that we will be strong in the moment of truth. But the actual moment of truth comes after our weakness has been revealed. Mass Readings from March 3, 2024: Exodus 20:1-17 Psalms 19:8-111 Corinthians 1:22-25 John 2:13-25

Homily from the Second Sunday of Lent. If I know Who, then I can say yes without knowing why. Do I have any conditions on my response to God? Will I pray or serve or say yes to Him as long as I understand why He is asking? Mass Readings from February 25, 2024: Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18 Psalms 116:10, 15-19Romans 8:31-34 Mark 9:2-10

Homily from the First Sunday of Lent. When expectation meets reality, we have a choice. All of our lives are marked by a certain degree of expectation. But what do we do when we encounter the reality of life? We can choose to either avoid reality or accept reality. Mass Readings from February 18, 2024: Genesis 9:8-15 Psalms 25:4-91 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:12-15

Homily from Ash Wednesday. We hope He sees. We have faith it matters to Him. We do it because He said so. During Lent, we have the chance to make our lives an act of hope, faith, and love. More than growing in discipline or self-improvement, Lent is a chance to live what we believe by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Mass Readings from February 14, 2024: Joel 2:12-18 Psalms 51:3--6, 12-14 and 172 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Homily from the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The moments are holy when the moments are His...and the moments are His when the motive is Him. When something is dedicated, it is transformed. It is elevated and becomes something more. When a moment is dedicated to God, it becomes a holy moment. Mass Readings from February 11, 2024: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46 Psalms 32:1-2, 5, 111 Corinthians 10:31—11:1 Mark 1:40-45

Homily from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. You can only share what you have. Holy moments are shared moments. We share like Jesus (and make moments holy) when we are generous and honest. Mass Readings from February 4, 2024:: Job 7:1-4, 6-7 Psalms 147:1-61 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 Mark 1:29-39

Homily from the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Holy Moment is the present moment. When we live lives of distraction we cannot live lives of wonder or joy or holiness. Distraction steals life away because it takes us away from the present moment. And the present moment is the only moment that has the potential to be a holy moment. Mass Readings from January 28, 2024: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Psalms 95:1-2, 6-91 Corinthians 7:32-35 Mark 1:21-28

Homily from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Holy moments are ordinary moments reconsidered. An ordinary life is not an obstacle to a holy life. In fact, every extraordinary life is made up of ordinary moments that we choose to make into holy moments. Mass Readings from January 21, 2024: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Psalms 25:4-91 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20

Homily from the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. God has a claim on your life...and God has a call for your life. We can often be hesitant to make decisions in life. Not only because we do not want to make the wrong decision, but also because we want to make the best decision. But the point of life is not merely to optimize our happiness. We experience a new freedom and meaning when we realize that our lives are not our own...and we live to respond to God's call. Mass Readings from January 14, 2024: 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19 Psalms 40:2, 4, 7-101 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20John 1:35-42

Homily from the Epiphany of the Lord. We give God our best, our heart, and what He has asked for. As we know, the heart of religion is worship. But we need to put our hearts into worship. We give God our best, our heart, and what God has asked for. Not because He needs anything, but because it is right and just. Mass Readings from January 7, 2024: Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12

Homily from the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph The Holy Family was holy, but not without struggles. Jesus entered into this broken world by entering into the reality that all of us have experienced: family life. He did not insulate Himself from the harsh realities of life by embracing a life of wealth. Rather, all He had was borrowed. Mass Readings from December 31, 2023: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Psalms 128:1-5Colossians 3:12-21 Luke

Homily from the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). The reality is that God is not a professional. He is an amateur. There are many things in life where we merely like the "idea" of that thing. The reality is another story, because the reality makes demands on us. Christmas is a reminder that we not only cannot love the "idea" of God, but that He does not merely love the idea of us. Mass Readings from December 25, 2023: Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalms 98:1-6.Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Whatever You ask of me, the answer is yes. One of the more challenging reminders of this series is that God is the point of all of this. He is not only the Main Character, but this is also His Story. Nonetheless, we have been given a role; we have been created and redeemed in order to play our part. Mass Readings from December 24, 2023: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Psalms 89:2-5, 27, 29Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38

Homily from the Third Sunday of Advent. We won't be able to rejoice, pray, or give thanks always unless we rejoice, pray, and give thanks now. Main Character syndrome can lead us to believe that we are in control. But there are many circumstances that are out of our control. We can often only control how we respond to our circumstances. As Christians, we choose to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. Mass Readings from December 17, 2023: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 Luke 1:46-50, 53-541 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28

Homily from the Second Sunday of Advent. Perfectionism can move us from caring to quitting. Spiritual perfectionism can lead people who care about the Faith and who love God to a place of harshness and hurry so much that they just want to give up. But the Gospel reminds us that God is gentle and patient. Mass Readings from December 10, 2023: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Psalms 85:9-142 Peter 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8

Homily from the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary was preserved from sin by the merits of her Son's life, death, and resurrection. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a testament to God's goodness. He gives what we need for the mission to which we have been called. And He calls all of us to enter into deeper relationship with the Family of God by cultivating a relationship with Mary, the Mother of God. Mass Readings from December 8, 2023: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Psalms 98:1-4Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Luke 1:26-38

Homily from the First Sunday of Advent. You are God. I am not. When we encounter the true and living God, there is only one response...it involves six little words, but makes a world of difference. Mass Readings from December 3, 2023: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7 Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-191 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:33-37

Homily from the Solemnity of Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Your part of the story (Act IV) remains unwritten. Jesus has bridged the unbridgable gap between God and humanity. We can believe that and remain unchanged. But if we are willing to respond, we can write the final act of the story. We can place ourselves under the Lordship of Christ and live an entirely new life. Mass Readings from November 26, 2023: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 Psalms 23:1-3, 5-61 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 Matthew 25:31-46

Homily from the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. It could have been otherwise. We have been created good by the good God. But we have been captured by sin, death, and slavery. In Jesus, God has rescued us and transferred us into His Kingdom…His family. Mass Readings from November 19, 2023: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 Psalms 128:1-51 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Matthew 25:14-30

To join in the mission of bulldogCatholic through this year's Give to the Max campaign, please donate here: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Newman-Catholic-Campus-Ministries-At-Umd Homily from the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. There's good news and there's bad news. We have heard the first part (Act One) of the Good News. But before we can move forward, we need to be aware of and understand why things are so broken. Before anything else, we need the bad news. Mass Readings from November 12, 2023: Wisdom 6:12-16 Psalms 63:2-81 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13

To join in the mission of bulldogCatholic through this year's Give to the Max campaign, please donate here: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Newman-Catholic-Campus-Ministries-At-Umd Homily from the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Am I basing my life on the gospel of the world or the Gospel of God? We are surrounded by stories. Stories that try to make sense of the world. But not every story is true. In fact, there are many stories that are false. We are called to base our lives on the true story… The story of the Gospel of God. Mass Readings from November 5, 2023: Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10 Psalms 131:1-31 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13 Matthew 23:1-12

Homily from the Solemnity of All Saints. One day, this day could be your feast day. The Feast of All Saints is offered to us as a day to praise God for all of the unnamed and unknown saints who have run the race well and have entered into the glorious and unadulterated Presence of the true and living God. Mass Readings from November 1, 2023}: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 Psalms 24:1-61 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12

Homily from the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. You are called to be love. When a person is lost, they need to know where they are. We know: you are here. But we also need to know where we are going and how to get there. We know that as well: we are called to be saints and the way is love. Mass Readings from October 29, 2023: Exodus 22:20-26 Psalms 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 511 Thessalonians 1:5-10 Matthew 22:34-40

Homily from the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Between the Promise and the Promised Land. When a person is lost, it can feel like every step is taking them further and further away from where they need to be. But with Christ, we trust in the promise that we are not lost, but led...and that every step is taking us closer to where and who we need to be. Mass Readings from October 22, 2023: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 Psalms 96:1, 3-5, 7-101 Thessalonians 1:1-5 Matthew 22:15-21

Homily from the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This is life. We need to understand that life is not waiting for us to start. This is life. This is your life. You are here. But we do have to ask the questions: should I be here? And is what God wants for me enough for me? Mass Readings from October 15, 2023: Isaiah 25:6-10 Psalms 23:1-6Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 Matthew 22:1-14

Homily from the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. What if? Or What is? Not knowing where we are, where we are going, or how to get there can be incredibly daunting. It can bring us to a place of worry and anxiety. We can be tempted to avoid the uncertainty and discomfort of the journey. By focusing on God's presence and blessings, we can have the courage to move. Mass Readings from October 8, 2023: Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalms 80:9, 12-16, 19-20Philippians 4:6-9 Matthew 21:33-43

Homily from the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The freedom to love when you no longer feel like it. The precondition for love is freedom. Both the freedom to say no and the freedom to say yes, regardless of passing moods or circumstances. Tough love is willing to choose the good because God asked us to and because we said we would. Mass Readings from October 1, 2023: Ezekiel 18:25-28 Psalms 25:4-9Phillipians 2:1-11 Matthew 21:28-32

Homily from the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. We choose our rivals. We are all confronted with the temptation towards resentment, when we see the blessings or gifts that others have. This temptation towards envy can be overcome when we choose to receive the gifts we’ve been given with gratitude, and choose to rejoice in the gift of others. Mass Readings from September 24, 2023: Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalms 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a

Homily from the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Forgiveness is a decision. One of the most difficult commands that Jesus has called us to is that we must forgive those who have hurt us and who have hurt those we love. Loving like this is difficult. It is truly tough love that is willing to weigh up the hurt and release the offender from the debt that they owe. Mass Readings from September 17, 2023: Sirach 27:30—28:7 Psalms 103:1-4, 9-12Romans 14:7-9 Matthew 18:21-35

Homily from the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Do I love enough to listen? Do I love enough to speak? In loving the people around us well, one thing we have to contend with is loving them well in our words. We avoid all unnecessary negatives, love enough to listen, and love enough to speak. Mass Readings from September 10, 2023:Ezekiel 33:7-9Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9Romans 13:8-10 Matthew 18:15-20

Homily from the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time "No" paves the way for "yes". Jesus gives us the conditions for discipleship. We must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. But what does it really mean to deny ourself? And how can this giant "no" pave the way for an even greater "yes"? Mass Readings from September 3, 2023:Jeremiah 20:7-9Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9Romans 12:1-2 Matthew 16:21-27

Homily from the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time There are some questions that only you can answer. In the Gospel today, Jesus asks two questions. But there is a third unspoken question that needs to be asked and answered first: Who does Jesus say that He is? This question (and answer) will determine everything for the rest of our lives. Mass Readings from August 27, 2023:Isaiah 22:19-23Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8Romans 11:33-36 Matthew 16:13-20

Homily from the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Knowledge without action is useless. Too often, our problem as followers of Christ is not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of courage. In order for us to live the lives Jesus has made possible by his grace, we do not need to know more. We need to be brave enough to act on what we know. Mass Readings from August 20, 2023:Isaiah 56:1, 6-7Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 Matthew 15:21-28

Homily from the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary is the New Ark of the New Covenant. It is fitting that Mary was assumed into Heaven since she is the fulfillment of the Ark in the Old Covenant. Mass Readings from August 15, 2023:Revelation 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10ABPsalm 45:10, 11, 12, 161 Corinthians 15:20-27 Luke 1:39-56

Homily from the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time A distraction issue or a decision issue? In order to achieve any worthwhile goal, we need to focus. Yet, distractions abound in our world and in ourselves. A distraction is anything that takes our focus away from what we need to be doing. But in order to know what a distraction is, we first have to know what it is we need to be doing. Mass Readings from August 13, 2023:1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13aPsalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:22-33

Homily from the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Claimed. Respected. Trusted. Jesus Transfigured on the top of Mount Tabor precedes His journey to Mount Calvary. On Tabor, He is not merely transfigured...He is Claimed, Respected, and Trusted as the beloved Son. We too need the Father's voice to voice His claim over us, His respecting us, and His entrusting a mission to us. Mass Readings from August 6, 2023:Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 92 Peter 1:16-19 Matthew 17:1-9

Homily from the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Observe. Orient. Decide. Act. When we are faced with the challenges and obstacles of following Christ, it is easy to become overwhelmed. But we do not have to solve all of the potential issues. We are simply called to face this problem and take the next step. Mass Readings from July 30, 2023:1 Kings 3:5, 7-12Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130Romans 8:28-30 Matthew 13:44-52

Homily from the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time The enemy can't win, he just wants you to lose. The Church has been established by Jesus Christ Himself. And yet, the Church has sinners and sin within Her ranks. The enemy of God and humanity has done this. We need to be aware of sin in the Church and sin in our own hearts. If we stay awake and alert, we can guard against sin in the Church and in our lives. Mass Readings from July 23, 2023:Wisdom 12:13, 16-19Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 13:24-43

Homily from the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time We may want to run, but things get in the way. God provides the grace that we need to be able to grow as fully and freely as possible. But life is full of obstacles that make this growth a challenge. With God's grace, we can be prepared for these battles. Mass Readings from July 16, 2023:Isaiah 55:10-11Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23

Homily from the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time "Hurry is the greatest threat to the spiritual life and the way of Jesus." We constantly experience the temptation to "max out" our lives by racing from event to event, task to task. The goal of life is union with God and anything that takes us away from this goal is a major threat to this goal...including hurry. Mass Readings from July 9, 2023:Zechariah 9:9-10Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30

Homily from the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Just one more thing that could go wrong. To protect one's heart is the safest way to live. But since we are made in God's image and likeness, we are made for love. Without love, we remain safe...but we remain incomprehensible to ourselves. To love is to be vulnerable...it is to risk. To receive the gift means we must be open to grief. Mass Readings from July 2, 2023:2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16aPsalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Matthew 10:37-42

Homily from the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We must cultivate the fear of the Lord in our lives. If we do not, then we will have only a partial vision of who God truly is. If we do not cultivate the fear of the Lord, then we will never have the proper relationship with God that we are made for. Mass Readings from June 25, 2023:Jeremiah 20:10-13Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35Romans 5:12-15 Matthew 10:26-33

Homily from the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Competent generosity is the key for healthy masculinity. Jesus prays that His Church is never without shepherds. This world and His Church is in need of leaders, of shepherds, and of fathers. While we will always need women and mothers, we stand in particular need of fathers at this moment in history. We need both: strong and generous men and women to place their strength at the service of the people around them. Mass Readings from June 18, 2023:Exodus 19:2-6aPsalm 100:1-2, 3, 5Romans 5:6-11 Matthew 9:36—10:8

Homily from the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Feast of Corpus Christi) Love is the best thing in this world. We are made for love. God is love. We are therefore made for God. And God comes to us in love in the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Christ at every Mass. Mass Readings from June 11, 2023:Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16aPsalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-201 Corinthians 10:16-17 John 6:51-58

Homily from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity God, you get to tell me who You are. We have been made in the image of God. The common temptation that we all face is to re-make God in our own image. We can be drawn to the idea that we can simply worship the God whom we prefer rather than the God who has revealed Himself. Mass Readings from June 4, 2023:Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 562 Corinthians 13:11-13 John 3:16-18

Homily from Pentecost Sunday I do not want what Jesus has done in me to stop with me. Jesus has accomplished the Father's will in offering Himself on the Cross. He has further sent the Holy Spirit for the salvation of the world. God has done something incredible in the life of each Christian. And He sends us out into the world so that what He has done in us continues to be done in those close to us. Mass Readings from May 28, 2023:Acts 2:1-11Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 341 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23

Homily from the The Ascension of the Lord Approach the Lord with open hearts. It has been said that "10,000 difficulties do not make one single doubt". When we approach God, we can be tempted to hesitate. We need to be able to ask the questions that need to be answered. This asking is not the same thing as doubting. Mass Readings from May 21, 2023Acts 1:1-11Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9Ephesians 1:17-23 Matthew 28:16-20

Homily from the Sixth Sunday of Easter Jesus is the Lord. Is He my Lord? Saint Peter tells us to be prepared to give a reason for our hope. We need to be ready to give an explanation for the truth that Jesus is the source of hope. We also need to be ready to give a reason for our personal hope in Jesus. Mass Readings from May 14, 2023:Acts 8:5-8, 14-17Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 201 Peter 3:15-18 John 14:15-21

Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Easter The Temple is the place of sacrifice. Peter notes that we are built into a spiritual house. We know what kind of building it is based on the purpose of the building. And the purpose of the Temple is to be the Presence of God and the place of worship and sacrifice. If we are temples of the Holy Spirit, then this is true for us as well. Mass Readings from May 7, 2023:Acts 6:1-7Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-191 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Easter Sometimes love is just showing up. At the twilight of our lives, we will be judged on love alone. And to love is to give. Love almost always involves sacrifice. Because there is no present like the time. Mass Readings from April 30, 2023:Acts 2:14a, 36-41Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 61 Peter 2:20b-25 John 10:1-10

Homily from the Third Sunday of Easter Christian hope does not trust that all will be well if I get what I want, but that all will be well even when I don't. Sometimes the hardest part of the race is the last lap...and sometimes the hardest part of the race is the second to last lap. When the finish line is so far off that you can't see the end. In those moments, when all seems lost, hope declares that God can bring life out of death. Mass Readings from April 23, 2023:Acts 2:14, 22-33Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 111 Peter 1:17-21 Luke 24:13-35

Homily from Divine Mercy Sunday It is of no use to say "I believe in Jesus" and then go back to life as usual. Faith is at the heart of our relationship with God. But our faith cannot simply be what we agree with or a mere belief. Our faith must move, act, and work. Like the early disciples, we must devote our lives to a "life of faith". Mass Readings from April 16, 2023:Acts 2:42-47Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-241 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31

Homily from The Resurrection of the Lord I believe in the resurrection of the flesh. Just as Jesus Christ conquered death by dying and gave us life by rising from the dead, every person will get their body back. Those who are lost will have the bodies in Hell, and those who are saved will have their glorified bodies in Heaven. What will those bodies be like? Mass Readings from April 9, 2023:Acts 10:34a, 37-43Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 John 20:1-9

Homily from Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion I am guilty. And I am loved. When we are falsely accused, we can often be tempted to defend ourselves or justify ourselves. This makes sense, since we want the truth to be known. But we must not fool ourselves into convincing ourselves that we are innocent. Christ came to save sinners. That means, if I am not a sinner—if I am not guilty—then Christ did not come to save me. But I am guilty...and He did come for me. And for you. Readings from April 7, 2023:Isaiah 52:13—53:12Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1—19:42

Homily from Holy Thursday The only gifts the first priests had to offer the world was what God had given them. Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the final stages of Christ's Passion. But it also marks the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood. Mass Readings from April 6, 2023:Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-181 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15

Homily from Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. Jesus' secret is voluntary and radical acceptance. In His final moments on earth, our Rabbi teaches us one of the greatest lessons of Bet Midrash: how do we face the worst possible realities of life? Do we resist reality? Do we avoid addressing what scares us? Or do we do what Jesus did? Do we choose voluntary and radical acceptance? Mass Readings from April 2, 2023:Isaiah 50:4-7Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24Philemon 2:6-11 Matthew 26:14—27:66

Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Why does Jesus weep? Jesus wept. Why does Jesus weep in the face of the death of Lazarus? He weeps to silence the Great Lie. He weeps because He loves. He weeps in order to teach us to weep. Mass Readings from March 26, 2023:Ezra 37:12-14Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Lent. We need to stop asking "who is to blame?" and start asking "What can God do with this?" The disciples ask Jesus whose fault it is that the man was born blind. So many of us have a tendency to ask the same question: "Whose fault is this?" While that is a natural question, it is not always a helpful question. There is a better question that we can ask. Mass Readings from March 19, 2023 : 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 Psalms 23Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41

Homily from the Third Sunday of Lent. Jesus taught the world how to see the person. We are constantly facing the temptation to define people by their group or by their shame. Jesus reveals that, while He knows the group or by their shame, He sees the person...the individual...and calls them by their name. Mass Readings from March 12, 2023: Exodus 17:3-7 Psalms 95:1-2, 6-9Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-42

Homily from the Second Sunday of Lent. In teaching about prayer, Jesus offered something no other rabbi could give. Jesus, the Prototype, reveals His prayer to the Apostles. Every rabbi would teach his disciples how to pray, but Jesus is able to give His disciples something that no other rabbi could offer. Jesus prays as the Beloved Son...Jesus teaches His disciples to pray as beloved children who have been claimed by their Father. Mass Readings from March 5, 2023: Genesis 12:1-4 Psalms 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22.2 Timothy 1:8-10 Matthew 17:1-9

Homily from the First Sunday of Lent. Expect the Trial. Eliminate the Option. Re-Write the Script. Focus on the Word. We will face trials and temptations throughout our lives. When we follow and study Jesus our rabbi, we learn how to face temptations the way he did. Mass Readings from February 26, 2023: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Psalms 51:3-6, 12-14 and 17Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11

Homily from Ash Wednesday. The goal of the Christian life is to become like Christ. As we begin Lent, we often mistakenly choose arbitrary things to give up or arbitrary ways to pray. But the goal of Lent is more than "doing something difficult" or "getting better". The goal of lent is the imitation of Christ. Mass Readings from February 22, 2023: Joel 2:12-18 Psalms 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-14 and 172 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Homily from the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. The difference between giving up and surrender is one word: trust. There are so many circumstances in life that are beyond our control. We can easily feel powerless as we realize that we cannot control all outcomes. Christ's words in the Gospel might look like giving up, but they are something vastly different...and far more hopeful. Mass Readings from February 19, 2023: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-131 Corinthians 3:16-23 Matthew 5:38-48

Homily from the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our hearts are enslaved...exile can be the cure. There are so many circumstances that are beyond our control. But no matter the situation, one thing that cannot be taken away from a person made in God's image is the freedom to choose how one responds to those circumstances. Our hearts can be enslaved in any situation, but they can also be free in any situation. Mass Readings from February 12, 2023: Sirach 15:15-20 Psalms 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-341 Corinthians 2:6-10 Matthew 5:17-37

Homily from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Do what you would do even if no one is watching. So many of us have a fear of being different. We would prefer to be like everyone else. But we cannot afford to be the same as everyone else. Not because we are better, but because the world needs what Christians have: Jesus Christ. Mass Readings from February 5, 2023: Isaiah 58:7-10 Psalms 112:4-91 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16

Homily from the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Do not wait to live. God is using this here and now. There is real suffering. There is real good and evil. But sometimes, the difference between something that is worthless and something that is worthwhile is a matter of perspective. God can use even our flaws...in fact, he will use everything if we let him. Mass Readings from January 29, 2023: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 Psalms 146:6-101 Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 5:1-12

Homily from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our identity is at the heart of our resolution. One of the greatest things that is lost while in exile is a true sense of identity. Too quickly, we forget who we are and settle for something too small to be enough. But if we keep identity at the heart of our resolutions, we will be able to live homeless and Holy. Mass Readings from January 22, 2023: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-141 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23

Homily from the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. What is the difference between a "good person" and a "saint"? "A good society is one that makes it easy to be good." But what if you don't live in a good society? Is "being good" the only goal? Is it possible to be more than good...to be holy...even when you are living in exile? Mass Readings from January 15, 2023: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Psalms 40:2, 4, 7-101 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34

Homily from the Mass of the Epiphany of the Lord. The best thing we can do. While we are certainly human "beings", we are also meant to "do". The most important thing we can do is LOVE. And the most important One we can love is God. We love God in a number of ways, the principle of which is through worship. Mass Readings from January 8, 2023: Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12

Homily from the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Mary, the Mother of God is the model for how to live well. Mary is the Mother of God because the baby in her womb was the Second Person of the Trinity. She also shows us how to leave last year in the past and step into the New Year wisely. Mass Readings from January 1, 2023: Numbers 6:22-27 Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21

Homily from the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Mass). At Christmas, in our lives, and in the Mass...God becomes small enough to ignore. God is closer than we think. But the ways that He draws close to us is that He comes so close that we can miss Him and He becomes so small that we can ignore Him. Mass Readings from December 25, 2022: Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalms 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 Matthew 1:1-25

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Advent. What is our response when God does reveal Himself? We've been showing up and placing ourselves in God's Presence for the past 22 days. Sometimes we merely expect God to be silent and still. But what if God revealed Himself in a dramatic way? What would be our response? Mass Readings from December 18, 2022: Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalms 24:1-6.Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24

Homily from the Third Sunday of Advent. Be patient with the Lord, the process, and yourself. We often find it difficult to wait for things to come to us. During this season of Advent, we can also struggle with the feeling that "nothing is happening". During this time, we need to be reminded that God is closer than we think; He is in each moment and in each step...and remember to be patient. Mass Readings from December 11, 2022: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 Psalms 146:6-10James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11

Homily from the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. God always gives what we need to accomplish His will. Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin at the moment of her conception by the merits of her Son's future life, death, and resurrection. Mass Readings from December 8, 2022: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Psalms 98:1-4Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Luke 1:26-38

Homily from the Second Sunday of Advent. "One day" could become "Day One". So often, there are things that we would like to do "one day". Sometimes those dreams pass us by and we lose nothing. But other times, we must take action otherwise "one day" becomes "never". As Christians, we either Begin or we Begin Again.

Homily from the First Sunday of Advent. You are made for more than a secondhand relationship with God. We have 29 days until Christmas. And so much can change in that time. If we are willing to commit to spending 29 minutes every day for the next 29 days...if we are willing to beg the Lord to reveal Himself to us...everything could be different in just 29 days. Mass Readings from November 27, 2022: Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalms 122: 1-9Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44

To support Ascension’s free media, please click here! To find out more about how Ascension will use your gift, please click here! Are you interested in supporting the Catholic campus ministry at the University of Minnesota Duluth? Please click here! Would you like to watch the "Virtual Front Pew" Day of Thanks Livestream event? Click here! Homily from the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. What do you do when you encounter a God you cannot control? We all have fears. Often, those fears lead us to either seize control or to cede control. But when we fear God and His call in our lives, we are called to choose trust over fear. We are called to choose obedience over control. Mass Readings from November 20, 2022t: 2 Samuel 5:1-3 Psalms 122:1-5Colossians 1:12-20 Luke 23:35-43