Videos

Explore the profound meaning behind Caiaphas' statement that it was better for one man to die for the people (John 11:49-52). This homily unpacks how Jesus' death was foretold as a means to gather God's scattered children into one family. Understand Jesus' voluntary sacrifice on the cross as a historical manifestation of eternal, Trinitarian, redemptive love between the Father and the Son.

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.

Jesus challenged his disciples to love everyone, as God loves everyone, friend and enemy, legal or illegal immigrant.

Jesus challenged his disciples to go beyond the Law, adding to the sin of murder that it was a sin to even be angry with your brother. Lent is a time to try to live up to this higher standard.

After calling a foreigner a "dog," Jesus is moved by the woman's chutzpah and cures her daughter. Can the pain and suffering of others move us beyond our own prejudices to help the most needy we encounter?

Jesus taught his disciples that nothing that enters us from without can make us impure. Rather, the malice and bad thoughts in our hearts that come out in our words and actions make us impure. This is a call to us to let go of the superficial things of religion and examine our own hearts and actions.

Our love has to reach out to heal others, starting at home and then reaching out beyond our home, always rooted in prayer.

Unlike other teachers of his day, Jesus taught with authority and his words liberated people from suffering. Perhaps we can make a New Year's resolution to make our words liberate others.

In today's Gospel we hear the genealogy of Jesus going back 42 generations to Abraham, emphasizing that God has been on this bruising journey with us for a long time. In Advent, we are called not to remain aloof and pure, but to be more in touch with the world so that we can bring God's presence to it.

In our readings today, the Jewish Priests refuse to speak about God while the pagan prophet Balaam speaks eloquently of God's wonders. It is our job today to give witness to our hope arising because of Jesus Christ, and in Advent, we prepare ourselves to embody that presence.

Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was among us. So, while this is not heaven, the fulness of the Kingdom, we do not have to look to the future to see the Kingdom. We can find the Kingdom of God here and now in how we live out the salvation of God.

Jesus healed lepers and allowed them to rejoin the wider society. Mother Cabrini worked tirelessly on behalf of immigrants to the United States towards the same end. May we follow their example and work to integrate into our society those who today cry out for mercy.