"Jars of Clay Shine by God's Power" — 5th Sun. in Ordinary Time, 2/8/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Release Date: 02/10/2026
"Bonus: Clean Yet Covered in Our Rabbi's Dust" — Holy Thursday, Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, 4/2/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Listen now to learn what it means to be "covered in our Rabbi's dust" and how it's possible—and desirable—to be simultaneously "washed clean" and "dusty." Homily for Holy Thursday, beginning of the Sacred Triduum. Catholic Mass readings for the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, April 2, 2026 First Reading: Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 116: 12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 Second Reading: First Corinthians 11: 23-26 Gospel: John 13: 1-15
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"Why Have You Abandoned Me? - Its Real Meaning?" — Palm Sunday, 3/29/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Do you sometimes feel that God is not near? After being glorified and then crucified, a full spectrum of experience; Jesus recites the first line of Psalm 22. His followers who were present may have continued with the Psalm's response to praise His name and give Him glory. Let us turn to scripture as Jesus does. God's help is always there. Catholic Mass readings for Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, March 29, 2026 Procession: Matthew 21: 1-11 First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11 Verse Before the...
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"Not 'If Only You ...' but 'I Belong to You'" — 5th Sun. of Lent, 3/22/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
What would you like to have a chance to do over in your life? In today's Gospel reading, Jesus shows us what His friendship and our faith in Him can do. Instead of regret, let us invite Jesus more deeply into our lives. Whatever has happened, Jesus wants to be with us and walk with us. Catholic Mass readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 22, 2026 First Reading: Ezekiel 37: 12-14 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Second Reading: Romans 8: 8-11 Verse Before the Gospel: John 11: 25a, 26 Gospel: John 11: 1-45
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Healing from Blindness Toward Others and Yourself — Sun. Mass, 4th Sun. of Lent, 3/15/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
This is the second of two inspired homily podcasts from Father Chuck this week. Please take time to listen to each of them. This is Sunday's homily. What was it like for David to feel the rush of the Spirit upon him from that day on, as we hear in today's first reading? Imagine the constant rush of the Holy Spirit's living water upon us as if we were walking around beneath the rush of Multnomah Falls. The Holy Spirit is always there for us, and Jesus patiently awaits us in His Tabernacle. Let us ask God to open our eyes to the goodness of those we have overlooked, including overselves, to see...
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"Healing from Blindness Toward Others and Yourself" — Vigil Mass, 4th Sun. of Lent, 3/14/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Our parish is doubly blessed with two inspired homily podcasts from Father Chuck this week. Please take time to listen to each of them. This is the Vigil homily from Saturday's Mass. Is there good in someone, or even in yourself, that you're not truly seeing in your life? At every Mass, ask the Holy Spirit to help us see something new about Jesus or about ourselves or someone else. Let us say at every Mass, "Lord, that I might see." Those of you who have the Little Black Book for Lent from the Saginaw Diocese, please read the Holy Spirit Prayer of St. Augustine on page 60 which Fr. Chuck...
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"Are You Testing God or Trusting God?" — 3rd Sun. of Lent, 3/8/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Do you expect that having God in your life means having no hardships? Today's first reading gives us an example of testing God, while the second reading shows us that Jesus brings the gift of peace for us to trust. This Lent, let us memorize these words to help us grow in our trust of God, "and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:5) Catholic Mass readings for the Third Sunday of Lent, March 8, 2026 First Reading: Exodus 17: 3-7 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95: 1-2, 6-7, 8-9...
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"The Transfiguration: What's Lent Got to Do With It?" — 2nd Sun. of Lent, 3/1/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Have you wondered why today's Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent is about the Transfiguration? In this reading, Jesus reveals who He truly is to give us hope and the "strength that comes from God" to persevere. Whatever Lenten journey we have chosen, the hard work is worth doing to make more room for Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Catholic Mass readings for the Second Sunday of Lent, March 1, 2026 First Reading: Genesis 12: 1-4a Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 Second Reading: Second Timothy 1: 8b-10 Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 17: 5 Gospel:...
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Lent 2026 and Mass: Sharing in Christ's Victory — 1st Sun. of Lent, 2/22/2026
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Do you realize that the same three temptations that Eve succumbed to in Eden were again faced by Jesus in the desert? Only this time around, Jesus reverses it and invites us to share in His three victories. We are invited to concentrate on them during Lent, but also share in them the rest of the year and especially during Mass. Note: This recording is a version of the 11 AM homily which Fr. Chuck has edited, in his words, "for more clarity and less length." Catholic Mass readings for the First Sunday of Lent, February 22, 2026 First Reading: Genesis 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7 Responsorial...
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Lent 2026: Welcome the Loving Scrutiny of God
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
As you prepare for Lent, are you ready to ask God to show you how much He cherishes you? As the Holy Spirit scrutinizes everything out of love, our repentance will set us free from those things that we would be better off without. Let us be ready for the depths of God, which is God's pure and powerful love. Catholic Mass readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 15, 2026 First Reading: Sirach 15: 15-20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34 Second Reading: First Corinthians 2: 6-10 Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25 Gospel: Matthew 5: 17-37
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"Jars of Clay Shine by God's Power" — 5th Sun. in Ordinary Time, 2/8/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Did you know there were Isthmian games in ancient Greece along with the Olympics? Father Chuck weaves a little geography and history lesson into today's homily for some background on St. Paul's message to the Corinthians. We have no need to worry about prestige or other human measures when we have Jesus. Let us each shine God's light in the darkness for others from our earthly "jar of clay". Catholic Mass readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 8, 2026 First Reading: Isaiah 58: 7-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 112: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Second Reading: First Corinthians...
info_outlineDid you know there were Isthmian games in ancient Greece along with the Olympics? Father Chuck weaves a little geography and history lesson into today's homily for some background on St. Paul's message to the Corinthians. We have no need to worry about prestige or other human measures when we have Jesus. Let us each shine God's light in the darkness for others from our earthly "jar of clay".
Catholic Mass readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 8, 2026
First Reading: Isaiah 58: 7-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 112: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: First Corinthians 2: 1-5
Alleluia: John 8: 12
Gospel: Matthew 5: 13-16
Here is Father Chuck's book recommendation from today's reading: Pray for Us, 75 Saints Who Sinned, Suffered, and Struggled on Their Way to Holiness