In Cena Domini
Tonight's podcast is from the Traditional Latin Mass for the Supper of the Lord (Cena Domini.) This sermon is about the connection between the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Priesthood, and why Jesus transfers His suffering and leadership to His priests. We will see that both the leadership and the suffering of priests are for the life of the world.
Passion Sunday
Passion Sunday and the Blood of Jesus Christ in the Holy Mass.
Laetare Sunday
This sermon is from my 8am Laetare low Mass. However, between the low Mass and the 10am Sung Mass, I was attacked by ants while talking to a parishioner outside our mission chapel! Separated by a few seconds of music on this podcast, I decided to also post that short 10am sermon. Thus, the last five minutes of this podcast is an improv sermon about the ants, but it ties especially into today’s readings and the most Holy Eucharist.
Annunciation Sermon
This homily is about how science and religion meet in the Feast of the Annunciation. I reference “Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation," in this homily. It was written by Cardinal Ratzinger in 1987 and it is found on the Vatican Website here.
5 Things You Might Not Know About St. Joseph
I’m going to write on five surprising things of St. Joseph in celebration of his feast day today. 1) St. Joseph was probably born without original sin. I know this one sounds heretical, but follow me here. A nun in Ohio received private revelations from Mary and Joseph in 1956, all of which were approved by Cardinal Burke in his letter to the USCCB in 1997. These apparitions are known as “Our Lady of America.” St. Joseph said the following about himself in this apparition: “It is true, my daughter, that immediately after my conception I was, through the future merits of Jesus and because of my exceptional role of future Virgin-Father, cleansed from the stain of original sin. I was, from that moment, confirmed in grace and never had the slightest stain on my soul. This is my unique [...]
Second Sunday of Lent
On the Transfiguration, the Crucifixion and Divine Providence.
40 Martyrs of Sebaste
Today is the Memorial of the 40 Roman Soldiers who banded together in modern day Armenia, refusing to renounce Christ. St. Basil writes of their glorious and manly martyrdom: These holy martyrs suffered at Sebaste, in the Lesser Armenia, under the Emperor Licinius, in 320. They were of different countries, but enrolled in the same troop; all in the flower of their age, comely, brave, and robust, and were become considerable for their services. St. Gregory of Nyssa and Procopius say they were of the Thundering Legion, so famous under Marcus Aurelius for the miraculous rain and victory obtained by their prayers. This was the twelfth legion, and then quartered in Armenia. Lysias was duke or general of the forces, and Agricola the governor of the province. The latter having signified to the army the orders of the emperor Licinius [...]
Baby Leah’s Funeral
I buried a premature baby today in Louisiana, and this is the sermon I gave. It was made public with the permission of the parents, because they believed there was a message people had to hear in this podcast. If you are reading this podcast description on iTunes, please also visit my blog to see the picture at the top of the casket that the baby's father made for her in his woodworking shop. I'll also include some sites and footnotes that I referenced in this sermon. I spoke in the sermon about the length of eternity, and here is a blog post I wrote with that same "beach of eternity" analogy I gave in the sermon. Also, to read the full account of the martyrdom of Saints Felicity and Perpetua, click this footnote here: Vibia Perpetua, was executed in [...]
First Sunday of Lent: Christ in the Desert
Garden Temptation 1 John Jesus vs. Satan Vows Matthew 6 Mark 4 Good for eyes Lust of eyes Worship me and have kingdoms poverty alms World Good for food Lust of flesh Fasting vs. Bread Chastity Fasting Flesh Makes one wise Pride of life Temple/Test God Obedience Prayer Devil
Ash Wednesday Homily
Tear Open Your Hearts