Dominican Friars

Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

A Word of Hope

11 April • Threatened for Doing Good? Jesus' Example

Why was Jesus threatened with stoning for doing the Father's work? Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP reflects on this passage from John 10 in the Word of Hope homily for Friday, Fifth Week of Lent.

As Lent nears its end, the liturgy confronts us with Jesus' imminent suffering. This homily explores the clash between Jesus' good works and the accusations of blasphemy He faced for revealing His divine identity. Discover the Lenten call to awaken our own identity as children of God and boldly perform works of love and justice, following Jesus' path towards the Paschal Mystery.

Daily Catholic reflection based on the Mass readings. Recorded at Our Lady of the Rosary Priory, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

#Lent2025 (Use current year) #CatholicHomily #Jesus #GospelOfJohn #John10 #FifthWeekOfLent #PaschalMystery #SonOfGod #Faith #CatholicChurch #DailyReflection #WordOfHope #Suffering #GoodWorks #ChristianLiving

A Word of Hope with dove

Every day the Chicago Dominicans offer "A Word of Hope" video to bolster our faith through these trying times. We welcome any feedback you have at hope@opcentral.org . You can see them all below, or you can see other preaching by a particular person by clicking on his name, and you can have them emailed to you each morning by signing up for our email service:

A Word of Hope for March 9, 2023

Mar 9, 2023 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP challenges us to turn to our faith when times are tough, rather than to the next popular fad, and we will find solace that transcends our current struggle, opening us up to hope built for the future.
A Word of Hope for March 8, 2023

Mar 8, 2023 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP points out that we are to expect suffering as part of our Christian journey, but that this is Good News, because the suffering will lead us to new life, both here on earth and in heaven.
A Word of Hope for March 7, 2023

Mar 7, 2023 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, citing Jesus' words on sacrifice, tells us that the sacrifice Jesus most wants from us this Lent to to set things right for the poor and vulnerable.
A Word of Hope for March 6, 2023

Mar 6, 2023 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, recalling Jesus' words "Forgive and you will be forgiven," challenges us to give to others what we seek from God.
A Word of Hope for March 5, 2023

Mar 5, 2023 by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, commenting on the Transfiguration, points out that following God into the detours of life is sometimes to best way to hear his voice.
A Word of Hope for March 4, 2023

Mar 4, 2023 by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, commenting on Jesus telling us, "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect," points out that this is a long, long journey—but we should make sure we are heading in the right direction.
A Word of Hope for March 3, 2023

Mar 3, 2023 by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP reminds us that as we take our Lenten journey, we should begin by reconciling with our brothers and sisters before we approach the altar of God.
A Word of Hope for March 2, 2023

Mar 2, 2023 by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP puts a spin on Jesus' classic words on prayer, "Seek and ye shall find," that what we are meant to seek is to join in Jesus' mission, and the doors that will open for us when we join this mission might not be the ones we would have chosen for ourselves.
A Word of Hope for March 1, 2023

Mar 1, 2023 by Fr. Don Goergen, OP

Fr. Donald Goergen, OP, pointing out that Job did not want to go to Nineveh because he knew God was so merciful that he would forgive the people, asks us if we are so confident of God's mercy that we can admit what we need to change.
A Word of Hope for February 28, 2023

Feb 28, 2023 by Fr. Don Goergen, OP

Fr. Donald Goergen, OP comments on the "Our Father," noting that Jesus begins by telling his disciples, "when you pray, do not babble on." This prayer should be prayed from the heart, simply.
A Word of Hope for February 27, 2023

Feb 27, 2023 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, commenting on Matthew 25, points out that the heart of our faith is taking care of the poor and marginalized in a proactive way. He also thanks people for their donations in support of Ukraine.
A Word of Hope for February 26, 2023

Feb 26, 2023 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, speaking of the temptations of Jesus in the desert, recommends that we ask God for the disposition to stand against the temptations in our own lives that pull us away from God.
A Word of Hope for February 25, 2023

Feb 25, 2023 by Fr. Yamil A. Samalot Rivera, OP

Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP relates Jesus' challenge to us to not think ourselves as above others, but to really listen to others—especially those whom we think are less religious than we are, or are marginalized. They might be the bearers of God's message for us.
A Word of Hope for February 24, 2023

Feb 24, 2023 by Fr. Yamil A. Samalot Rivera, OP

Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP reminds us that our following the law has to be greater than that of the Pharisees, not based in following rules but in caring for the poor.
A Word of Hope for February 23, 2023

Feb 23, 2023 by Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP

Br. Edward Van Merrienboer, OP reminds us that every moment of every day we either choose Christ or choose "not Christ."
A Word of Hope for February 22, 2023

Feb 22, 2023 by Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP

Br. Edward Van Merrienboer, OP reminds us of our call as ambassadors of Jesus to be reconcilers and to work to heal divisions with humility.
A Word of Hope for February 21, 2023

Feb 21, 2023 by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, in response to Jesus saying that he could make an apostle out of a little child, wonders if we put too many limits on what we think God can and cannot do by projecting our own limitations on God.
A Word of Hope for February 20, 2023

Feb 20, 2023 by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP recommends one of the most powerful prayers in scripture, "I do believe, help my unbelief."
A Word of Hope for February 19, 2023

Feb 19, 2023 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, along with Jesus, challenges that for Christians, a tooth for a tooth is not good enough. In a world of division, we are called to overcome our differences and love our neighbor.
A Word of Hope for February 18, 2023

Feb 18, 2023 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, unpacking the Transfiguration, points out that faith is beautiful, but is also often ambiguous, and our hope lies in that mystery.
A Word of Hope for February 17, 2023

Feb 17, 2023 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP asks us to consider if we will embrace the Tower or the Cross? The Tower of Babel symbolizes safety and security, building our own glorious future. The Cross of Christ entails pain and suffering. But the things most worth having—solidarity, friendship, and love—cannot be had without opening ourselves up to others, which means inviting into our own lives their suffering and sorrow.
A Word of Hope for February 16, 2023

Feb 16, 2023 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP, unpacking the story of Noah and the Arc, reminds us that our actions have real consequences in the world, but that God also made a covenant with Noah to always help to bring new life out of the destruction our sins have wrought.
A Word of Hope for February 15, 2023

Feb 15, 2023 by Fr. Brian Walker, OP

Fr. Brian Walker, OP, commenting on a miracle healing by Jesus, invites us to ask God to give us the grace to see the world around us with clarity.
A Word of Hope for February 14, 2023

Feb 14, 2023 by Fr. Brian Walker, OP

Fr. Brian Walker, OP reminds us that we already have all that we need, we just need to look around us and see it—especially when it comes to personal relationships.

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