Pilgrim Priest
Have you thought sermons were boring? Think again as Fr. Joel unpacks the word of God for today's audience. Fresh, local, and live takes on the Gospel for our world. A new homily every Sunday.
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Five Places Jesus Wants to Give You Peace | #1423
04/14/2024
Five Places Jesus Wants to Give You Peace | #1423
"Peace be with you," says the Risen Jesus! Here are five places Jesus wants to give peace: 1) Your past. The gift of new life means we no longer have to worry about our past. 2) Our future. The Risen Jesus will meet us at the end of our time and lead us to eternal life. 3) Our sufferings. We will have the strength to endure whatever God wills, and it will be fruitful. 4) Within us. . 5) The community. Serving God enables us to serve one another. Peace with God enables us to have and to bring peace to our neighborhoods. How can we experience God's peace in our daily life? Mass is the perfect place to experience the peace of the Risen Jesus. The Rosary, particularly prayed while walking. And finally, some spring cleaning or de-cluttering of your home or car. When you make a space more peaceful, that space gives peace back to you every time you enter it. The Risen Jesus is with you everywhere you go. There is nothing you have to face alone! (14 Apr 2024) Going Deeper: How do you experience peace when you come to Mass? Have you tried praying the Rosary and talking a walk? Do some spring cleaning/decluttering and experience a little peace. *Correction: The word peace in Urdu is "Salam" (same vowel twice) | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on and | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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The Wounds that Heal | #1422
04/08/2024
The Wounds that Heal | #1422
• At the resurrection of the dead on the last day, our wounds will all be healed. So why does the Risen Jesus still have wounds? He is the healer, the medicine for all of us. The seal must be broken so his life can flow into us. Jesus lives his whole life without wounds. But in his passion he experiences all our woundedness and he takes it into himself, into his very body. His body heals our wounds, but the physical wounds are a visible sign that he has carried, and cured, our emotional and spiritual woundedness. We are meant to come to Jesus often and to keep drawing life from him. The Healer who was wounded so that you could be made whole. Show him your wounds. (7 Apr 2024) Going Deeper: Listen to the song by, | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on and | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Easter Pancakes | #1421
04/04/2024
Easter Pancakes | #1421
• Little children need lots of help and support. As we grow up, we become more independent. We move from needing our mom and dad for everything to needing them almost never. We seem to think the spiritual world works the same way: we "grow up" from praying all the time to only calling God when we are really, really desperate. But we were never built to be independent in the spiritual world. Trying to be independent makes us feel like a little boy who wants to "do it himself," but can't seem to figure out how. We cope with our feelings of inadequacy by pretending to have it together and secretly using a lot of childish behaviors to manage our feelings. The church's answer is we need to stop pretending to be grown-ups. Deep down we are still children. The world is big and scary and God never expected us to face it alone. We still need our Daddy, and he's right here for us. We also have a Mommy and a whole spiritual family. It was never God who kept his distance from us. It was us who told God, "I've got this. Go away. Stop ruining my life!" Jesus shows us how to be a faithful Son of our heavenly father. He isn't even afraid of death because he trusts his Father to take care of him. The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is an historic fact that gives us hope and new life. It also points us to the future reality when God will raise us from the dead. But the secret of Easter is the present reality that Jesus is Risen: He is with us here and now. Learn to see the Risen Jesus in our everyday life. Look back on your day and say, "Jesus, where were you in my daily life?" You will discover that not only is he with us, but he is also within us. Happy Easter! (31 Mar 2024) Going Deeper: What does it mean to say that you can be the best possible grown-up by letting yourself be a Child of God? Do you know someone who did this well? Image©AdobeStock_618720243 | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on and | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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What Is Jesus Worth to You? | #1420
03/30/2024
What Is Jesus Worth to You? | #1420
• An item is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Something that is rare, unique, or has special value might fetch more than you would imagine. What am I worth? If we let the world set our value, we will always find ourselves being cheated. Imagining bringing yourself into the Antiques Roadshow. Jesus looks you over and says, "Now this one is a special piece, a one-of-a-kind with a unique history. Yes, I would pay everything for this one, too." Jesus is willing to not only trade his life for yours, but to offer his life as a painful and bloody sacrifice. What is Jesus worth to you? Do we find ourselves asking, "What's the minimum amount I need to fast? Is it OK to just commit venial sins? Is this Holy Day required?" When the Bishops decided in 1966 that meatless Fridays would no longer bind under pain of sin, they intended for Catholics to continue to mark Friday as a special day of prayer, fasting, and works of charity. Every Friday should be a little Good Friday, just like every Sunday should be a little Easter. Jesus was willing to pay everything for you. How much are you willing to give to Him? (29 Mar 2024) Going Deeper: Read the . Consider resuming the practice of meatless Fridays throughout the year as a small sacrifice for love of Christ. What are other ways Friday can be lived as a kind of weekly Lenten day? | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on and | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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You Should Wash Her Feet | #1419
03/30/2024
You Should Wash Her Feet | #1419
• We often think of the past and the future as a straight line. Jesus is seen as an historic figure. Easter is a re-enactment of Jesus' death and resurrection. We might also conceptualize Jesus as a future event, his second coming in judgement. Meanwhile, we try to follow his example of a sin-free life until our judgement day. However, it's much more accurate to think of time as a spiral, moving back over the same ground again and again but in new ways. The day and the week repeat themselves. The year is like a big spiral made up smaller spirals. While the earth spins on itself and around the sun, the sun remains a present reality, anchoring the earth and staying steady. With this concept of time, we can begin to realize that Jesus is not just a past reality and a future reality. Jesus is a present reality, the one constant in our changing world. It's not just that once Jesus WAS Emmanuel, but rather that Jesus revealed that he IS "God-with-us". Our lives may be going around in circles, but Jesus is the ever-present and grounding reality. If we focus on the things spinning around us, we get really dizzy. Faith is about recognizing the stable patterns and relationships that underpin the instability. Where is Jesus now? He's right here, working through my hands to bless, heal, wash and forgive you. Jesus also uses your hands to bless, feed, wash and serve. The Risen Lord lives within us and he gives his love to the world through us. Jesus washed my feet last year, and it's my turn to wash your feet. I have particularly invited men from our parish to have their feet washed. Those who have received washing should go home and wash their wives' feet, their mom's feet, or serve their elderly neighbors. During these three holy days, allow Jesus to love you, and let Jesus love others through you. (28 Mar 2023) Going Deeper: Consider starting a family tradition of feet washing to commemorate Holy Thursday. How can you allow yourself to be served by Jesus at Easter time? How can you serve others joyfully in the name of Jesus? Image: AdobeStock 57887011 | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on and | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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The Passion Reveals Our True Colors | #1418
03/25/2024
The Passion Reveals Our True Colors | #1418
The people of Jerusalem are rolling out the red carpet for Jesus. By laying down their cloaks, they show their willingness to lay down their lives for Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane, a young man leaves his linen cloth behind and runs off naked into the night. How many of us willing follow Jesus when Christianity is popular, but as soon as we see the cross coming, we run away into the night? The High Priest tears his garments. The veil in the Temple is torn in two from top to bottom. Joseph of Arimathea buys a linen cloth and clothes Jesus in it. The Passion exposes our true colors, and not only us, but also the whole world. Everything we try to keep for ourselves, we will lose. We can only keep that which we have given to God? Are you willing to lay down your life for the One who laid down his life for you? (24 Mar 2024) Going Deeper: Make this a quiet week. Turn off the TV; put down the phone. Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, do the Stations of the Cross, or read one of the four Passion readings from the Gospels. | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on and | | or leave a nice review.
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The Real Mission of a Catholic Priest | #1417
03/18/2024
The Real Mission of a Catholic Priest | #1417
Lent, 5th Sunday (B) Being a priest in the modern world is very challenging. You need to live celibacy in a culture soaked in sex, convince Catholics to come back to Mass, teach the next generation not to abandon the faith like their parents did, save all the marriages, win the culture war, keep the buildings open, convince young men that this is a great career choice.... Did I miss anything? But what if all that is just the mission I gave myself. What if God is calling me to basically four things: Love God, and love His people. Be an obedient son of the Father. Be a wise steward of my Father's gifts. Offer my life as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world. I am not the Savior, but that I am called to join my sacrifices to those of the Savior. Today's Mass readings make more sense from this perspective. The covenant written on our hearts refers to the call to love God, and the gift of the Holy Spirit that makes it possible. Jesus learned obedience as he offered his life for the salvation of the world. You cannot join Jesus in Easter Sunday if you haven't walked with him on Good Friday. Perhaps the struggles you are experiencing while trying to live your faith are actually indications that you are right where God wants you to be. (17 Mar 2024) Going Deeper: Prayerfully reflect on this quote from Gaudium et Spes: 37. Sacred Scripture teaches the human family what the experience of the ages confirms: that while human progress is a great advantage to man, it brings with it a strong temptation. For when the order of values is jumbled and bad is mixed with the good, individuals and groups pay heed solely to their own interests, and not to those of others. Thus it happens that the world ceases to be a place of true brotherhood. In our own day, the magnified power of humanity threatens to destroy the race itself. For a monumental struggle against the powers of darkness pervades the whole history of man. The battle was joined from the very origins of the world and will continue until the last day, as the Lord has attested.(8) Caught in this conflict, man is obliged to wrestle constantly if he is to cling to what is good, nor can he achieve his own integrity without great efforts and the help of God's grace. That is why Christ's Church, trusting in the design of the Creator, acknowledges that human progress can serve man's true happiness, yet she cannot help echoing the Apostle's warning: "Be not conformed to this world" (Rom. 12:2). Here by the world is meant that spirit of vanity and malice which transforms into an instrument of sin those human energies intended for the service of God and man. Hence if anyone wants to know how this unhappy situation can be overcome, Christians will tell him that all human activity, constantly imperiled by man's pride and deranged self-love, must be purified and perfected by the power of Christ's cross and resurrection. For redeemed by Christ and made a new creature in the Holy Spirit, man is able to love the things themselves created by God, and ought to do so. He can receive them from God and respect and reverence them as flowing constantly from the hand of God. Grateful to his Benefactor for these creatures, using and enjoying them in detachment and liberty of spirit, man is led forward into a true possession of them, as having nothing, yet possessing all things.(9) "All are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's" (1 Cor. 3:22-23). 38. For God's Word, through Whom all things were made, was Himself made flesh and dwelt on the earth of men.(10) Thus He entered the world's history as a perfect man, taking that history up into Himself and summarizing it.(11) He Himself revealed to us that "God is love" (1 John 4:8) and at the same time taught us that the new command of love was the basic law of human perfection and hence of the worlds transformation. To those, therefore, who believe in divine love, He gives assurance that the way of love lies open to men and that the effort to establish a universal brotherhood is not a hopeless one. He cautions them at the same time that this charity is not something to be reserved for important matters, but must be pursued chiefly in the ordinary circumstances of life. Undergoing death itself for all of us sinners,(12) He taught us by example that we too must shoulder that cross which the world and the flesh inflict upon those who search after peace and justice. Appointed Lord by His resurrection and given plenary power in heaven and on earth,(13) Christ is now at work in the hearts of men through the energy of His Holy Spirit, arousing not only a desire for the age to come, but by that very fact animating, purifying and strengthening those noble longings too by which the human family makes its life more human and strives to render the whole earth submissive to this goal. Now, the gifts of the Spirit are diverse: while He calls some to give clear witness to the desire for a heavenly home and to keep that desire green among the human family, He summons others to dedicate themselves to the earthly service of men and to make ready the material of the celestial realm by this ministry of theirs. Yet He frees all of them so that by putting aside love of self and bringing all earthly resources into the service of human life they can devote themselves to that future when humanity itself will become an offering accepted by God.(14) The Lord left behind a pledge of this hope and strength for life's journey in that sacrament of faith where natural elements refined by man are gloriously changed into His Body and Blood, providing a meal of brotherly solidarity and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. --- Over 13 years of homily episodes available at PilgrimPriest.us/podcast | Like, subscribe, and share us with your enemies. | Find me on Facebook and Twitter | Powered by Patrons | give through PayPal or leave a nice review.
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The One Commandment that Does Not Make Sense | #1416
03/03/2024
The One Commandment that Does Not Make Sense | #1416
The first three commandments are all about love of God and the last 7 are about love of neighbor. They all make perfect sense, with the exception of the third commandment. Why would God command his people to take a day off, especially people who were living hand-to-mouth? God rested on the 7th day. We, who are made in the image and likeness of God, are co-creators for six days, and then rest with the Master on the seventh. If we refuse to rest, we are saying that we have to depend in on our own strength, ingenuity, and hard work. God wants us to trust that he is a good Father and he will provide for his children. When we refuse to take a day of rest, we are allowing ourselves to become enslaved by the economy and our expectations. God wants us to to be free from unnecessary servile labor. God wants us to be rested and renewed and be re-created. The New Testament adds a third reason, which is the Resurrection of Jesus. We prepare ourselves for the heavenly kingdom by worshiping God and resting from our labors. How would my whole week look different if instead of treating Sunday as "my day," I asked God, "What do you want me to do with YOUR day?" (3 Mar 2024) Going Deeper: Read the . Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on and | | or send a check in the mail, if you know what that is.
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The Most Disturbing Passage in the Bible? | #1415
02/28/2024
The Most Disturbing Passage in the Bible? | #1415
There are a number of disturbing passages in the Bible. This might be the most disturbing of all: God commands a father to sacrifice his son. In a kind of reverse psychology, he is teaching us not to engage in human sacrifice. There are people that live life with radical trust in God. They believe that God is good, and that they are his beloved children. They believe in the power of redemptive suffering and hard times make them draw closer to God. St. Josephine Bakhita is great example of radical trust. The rest of us have to wrestle with God. Job is honest about his sufferings but he won't reject his relationship with God. He wrestles until God gives him a new perspective. Some people think you mustn't get mad at God. They bury their painful feelings under a façade of radical trust. Other people drift away from God; the relationship doesn't matter enough to stay with God. The sacrifice of Isaac is a foreshadowing. God said, "Don't sacrifice your son; I'll sacrifice mine." God is good, and he does love you. In fact, he loves you so much that he would sacrifice his only Son, whom he loves, for your sake. (25 Feb 2024) Going Deeper: Much of the material from today's homily was taken from the excellent podcast episode . Definitely worth your time to listen to it. | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on and | | but don't give us your only son.
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Out of Order | #1414
02/19/2024
Out of Order | #1414
Creation reveals a sacred order (hierarchy), with God at the top and human beings above the rest of creation but below God. We are part of a sacred order and we also have a sacred order within us. Man is a unity of body and soul. Except that we don't often experience ourselves as a unity. We tend to experience the body and soul at odds with each other. Our physical side needs to be ordered by our spirit towards truth and goodness and beauty. If not disciplined, your body will become fat and lazy. Discipline means, "to train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control" (). The spirit must also care for the body and be attentive to its need for sleep, exercise, healthy meals, etc. At the end of the flood, God restores his authority over creation and over human life. Human beings need to accept their place in the sacred order. We also need to work on the sacred order within us. We can go to a little hungry now because the great feast is coming soon. (18 Feb 2024) Going Deeper: What Lenten sacrifices will help put you back in right order? Thank you Jim and Rosella for today's jokes. Image©AdobeStock | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on and | |
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Be My vaLENTine | #1413
02/18/2024
Be My vaLENTine | #1413
• Anyone can say, "I love you." How do we know if someone really loves us? Real love is when someone wants what is best for the beloved. And true love is when the lover is willing to put his beloved first. We know that Jesus is True Love because he sacrifices himself for us. If we truly love Jesus, than we will not just say, "I love you," but we also have to sacrifice for Him. Prayer, fasting, and alms-giving are all ways to say, "I love you." (14 Feb 2024) Going Deeper: How can you live your Lenten sacrifices in a way that says "I love you" back to God? Image©PilgrimPriest.us | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Sin is Contagious—Lent Holds the Cure | #1412
02/15/2024
Sin is Contagious—Lent Holds the Cure | #1412
The leper must remove himself from the community in order to save the community. Jesus is the source of healing for the leper, who can go back and be a blessing to his community. We often think of sin as a private matter. But the seven deadly sins not only hurt us, but they are also toxic to community. Think of the ways that Pride, Envy, Anger, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust both infect the host and also corrode relationships around him. Turn to Jesus. Kneel before him in the Confessional and say, "If you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus will reach out his hand and touch you and make you clean. Because sin involves the will, we need to invest our wills become healthy again. The three traditional "works" of Lent speed the healing of our souls. Fasting frees us from self-serving, prayer turns us to God, and almsgiving turns out outwards to others. Lent will help you to become more pure of heart and more a blessing to the community. (11 Feb 2024) Going Deeper: Reflect on the ways you might have "caught" Anger or any of the other deadly sins from the people around you. What Lenten practice might help you to find new life and bless others in this particular area? Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Does Talking About Anxiety Make You Anxious? | #1411
01/28/2024
Does Talking About Anxiety Make You Anxious? | #1411
The : Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure... Anxiety is not the same as fear, but they are often used interchangeably. Anxiety is considered a future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat, whereas fear is an appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identifiable and specific threat. Why is everyone so anxious these days? Right from pregnancy, a mother and father need to establish a sense of security for their children. The Bible recognizes that anxiety is a part of everyday life. You need to let your anxiety talk to you. The parts of us who are anxious need to share their burden. Then we need to move through that anxiety to a place of security. So where can we find security? The very things we gravitate to when we feel anxious are probably making things worse. Security comes from safe, healthy relationships. But our human relationships will never be enough. Jesus is the rock who speaks with authority. He leads us to our true parents: God our Father and Mary our Mother. This is where we find the peace that passes all understanding. (28 Jan 2024) Going Deeper: Make time to thank God every morning for the gift of a new day, and talk to God about whatever part of your upcoming day might be making you anxious. At the end of every day, notice: 1) a blessing, 2) a challenge, 3) how God was with you, and took care of what you were anxious about, and 4) a way that you were Jesus to someone else. Begin and end each day with gratitude. Image©PilgrimPriest.us | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Five Ways We Can Hear God's Voice | #1410
01/14/2024
Five Ways We Can Hear God's Voice | #1410
In today's first reading, Samuel hears a call from God. Perhaps we don't want God to call and interrupt, or perhaps we are try to discern our vocation an we wonder why God doesn't call. We need to listen with our heart. Here are five ways that God commonly speaks to us. Nature. The world around me is speaking to me of God. Our own bodies also have a lot to say to us. Learn to listen to nature and your body and respect them. Church teaching marks out a safe path for us to trod. Legitimate authority, like parents and priests, can help us hear God's voice. Even though Eli is not a great dad, his voice still sounds like God. Our conscience. That still, small voice in our head that speaks to us of what is true and beautiful and good. Daily prayer, especially with scripture. How often do we go to prayer expecting to talk but not making space to listen. Once we hear God's voice, we need to point Jesus out to others. Like John the Baptist, priests point Jesus out to their people, and those people can then point Jesus out to others. (14 Jan 2024) Going Deeper: Consider making a stop at your local parish church in the morning on the way to work, after school, or while running errands in town. Spend a few minutes talking to God about your day and then a few minutes listening with your heart. Image©PilgrimPriest.us Featuring Fr. Kevin | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Eucharistic Epiphany in Cowley, Alberta | #1409
01/07/2024
Eucharistic Epiphany in Cowley, Alberta | #1409
On December 29, the Holy Eucharist was stolen from the Most Blessed Sacrament Perpetual Adoration Chapel in Oshkosh, WI. Since Jesus is really present in the Eucharist, was this a theft, or a kidnapping? I recount for you the miraculous recovery of a stolen host in Cowley, Alberta. Father and the other searchers had a Eucharistic "epiphany." The magi search for the newborn King of the Jews among a people who are not excited for his birth. The can see the light that the Jewish people cannot see. They continue to believe in the value of the gift even when others do not value Him. Every Sunday, you come here to pay homage to the King of Kings and to place your gifts before Him. I pray that every Sunday might be an Epiphany moment for you. We all believe that Jesus is the answer, but when the rest of the world doesn't seem to value him, we can begin to doubt what we have here. Pray to see the Eucharist in a new light. Pray that we can each have a "Eucharistic Epiphany." (7 Jan 2024) Going Deeper: Read about . | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Entrusting Our New Year to the Mother of God | #1408
01/03/2024
Entrusting Our New Year to the Mother of God | #1408
• Today we celebrate a very controversial title of Mary. Two Patriarchs disagreed about whether it was wrong to call Mary the Mother of God. The Council of Ephesus in AD 431 settled the debate in favor of this title. We could not possibly honor Mary any more than God honored Mary. God raised this humble servant to be the Queen of the Angels. Mary shows us what God can go with us when we give him 100%. Mary will help you fully receive all that God wants to give you in the New Year. (1 Jan 2023) | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Perfect Love Casts Out Fear | #1407
01/02/2024
Perfect Love Casts Out Fear | #1407
We each image God in our own way. But we also image God when we form a community of persons in the family. When bonds of family love are secure, we can experience a pervasive sense of peace and joy. Family members are able to thrive and develop to their full potential. This heals the core wound of fear. On the other hand, when the parents are not rooted in God's faithful love, the family experiences fear and insecurity which leads to self-protection. We develop pockets of woundedness that keep us from truly loving and being loved. Spouses eventually realize that only the love of God that surrounds them can make their marriage succeed. Intimacy with God allows them to receive what they need to love one another. If neither spouse is willing to plug into God, they end up slowly draining one another. Around the Holy Family are Simeon and Anna. They are grandparent figures. They show the love of the community that surrounds each family. The Holy Family offers us a glimpse into God's desire that our families be holy, holy, and happy. (30 Dec 2023) Image Sources , | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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The Gift That Everyone Needs But No One Seems to Want | #1406
12/25/2023
The Gift That Everyone Needs But No One Seems to Want | #1406
• God created the whole universe. Then God created us in his image and likeness. You might think that between the two, God's goodness would be abundantly obvious. But humans throughout history have believed some pretty strange things. So God decided to reveal his face in the person of Jesus Christ. The wise men present him with gifts because he himself is the most perfect gift. We continue this tradition of giving a birthday gift to Baby Jesus. The gift that he most wants is you. By dressing up nicely and coming to Mass, you present yourself to Jesus as a gift. Sometimes we receive a gift and it's not what we were expecting. For many of us, the gift of the Christ Child at Christmas is not what we were hoping for. Maybe we wanted a bicycle, a cure for cancer, or some guidance. Instead, God gives us Baby Jesus once again. We might have to make changes to our lives if we brought him home. Best to leave him under the tree again. What we don't realize is that Jesus is the answer, not to our wants, but to our deepest needs. We ask for peace and joy, and here he is. We ask for true love, and here he is waiting for you. We pray for guidance and here he is, waiting to walk with you. Instead of giving us the answer, he himself is the answer. Jesus's birth in Bethlehem 2,023 years ago makes absolutely no difference to your life until you receive him in your heart. When you finally do receive him, this moment makes all the difference in the world. Merry Christmas! (25 Dec 2023) Going Deeper: Prepare your heart, then present yourself for Holy Communion by giving yourself completely to Jesus as he gives Himself completely to you. Image©PilgrimPriest.us | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Watch for God's Healing Truth and Love | #1405
12/24/2023
Watch for God's Healing Truth and Love | #1405
Fr. Michael's patience helped to heal my wound of abandonment. After I got healing, I was able to be patient with him, too. We were . But we didn't trust God and we for whatever we could get our hands on. God sends his Son Jesus . Jesus helps us to accept God's love for us at the very deepest level. His constant love reveals our wounds. Are you wounded by Rejection, Abandonment, Fear, Shame, Powerlessness, Hopelessness, or Confusion? Which of these wounds resonate with you most strongly? God has given us the seven sacraments so that we can experience love in the very places we have felt wounded. Christmas is about opening our hearts to accept once again the healing love of Jesus, and then letting his love transform our hearts so we can become sacraments of God's love to others. (24 Dec 2023) Going Deeper: If you live in the Wisconsin area, consider attending the in Milwaukee coming up April 11-13. Registration opens January 8. Image©PilgrimPriest.us | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Watch for God's Answer to the World's Problems | #1404
12/20/2023
Watch for God's Answer to the World's Problems | #1404
If we sat down to list all the things that are wrong with the world, we would be here a while. Then we look at Christmas and it makes very little sense. How does one day with family opening presents fix any of the world's problems? The first Christmas makes even less sense: one more mouth to feed, and a homeless family. You must understand that the Bible diagnoses the fundamental problem with the world as this: creatures have lost connection with their creator. We are children who have forgotten that we have a father. Without that fundamental relationship, we are lost and desperate. We grasp at things and overpower one another. God responds, not with a plan to eliminate poverty or a vaccine to inoculate us against death, but by coming to meet us in the most innocent way possible. Jesus is willing to be the powerless creature that we refuse to be. Even though we have often forgotten God or kept him at a distance, God has never been far from us. The Incarnation is a visible sign of the invisible reality that God is with us. When we begin to , we begin to notice that God is with us. I pray you get to hold the Baby Jesus and fall in love this Christmas. (17 Dec 2023) Going Deeper: Spend 5 minutes in quiet prayer just holding the Baby Jesus. What is in His heart for you? | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Watch Out for The Misunderstanding | #1403
12/13/2023
Watch Out for The Misunderstanding | #1403
Watch out for fake news, and for calumny. Always check the sources! Before sharing information, ask yourself three questions: 1) Is it true? 2) Is it good? 3) Is it useful? Lies can damage relationships. Don't believe me? Ask the Hallmark Channel! Just when a couple starts to believe in the possibility of love, their relationship almost gets torpedoed by "The Misunderstanding." There would be no "happily ever after" if they didn't seek out the truth. We have become victims of an intentional disinformation campaign. God loves us and he wants us to be happy. In order to keep us from God, the enemy lies to us about ourselves and about God. Here are seven "core wounds" according to the John Paul II Healing Center, and the lies that cause them: Rejection: I am unloved and unlovable; no one wants me; I am not good enough. Abandonment: No one knows me or understands me; no one cares about me; I am alone. Fear: If I trust, I will be hurt. I am not safe and protected. I can't trust anyone or anything. Shame: I am bad, stupid, ugly, dirty, or worthless. I am broken beyond repair. I can't be forgiven. Powerlessness: I am weak, powerless, trapped, and can't get out. Hopelessness: The lie that nothing ever changes; I'll never have what I want. Life is meaningless; I have nothing to live for. Confusion: Everything is confusing. I don't understand anything. It's up to me to figure things out, and I'll never be able to know. The lies that I believe are there to protect me from being hurt, but in the end they are keeping God at a distance and not allowing him to truly love me. Pray for the grace to recognize lies and reject them. (10 Dec 2023) Going Deeper: Pray the St. Michael prayer to be able to recognize lies to reject them, and recognize the truth in order to accept it: St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. or: Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen. Image from Wikipedia and Adobe Stock | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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The Gift of Being a Giver | #1402
12/13/2023
The Gift of Being a Giver | #1402
• Mary was conceived without sin in the womb of her mother. Let us break this dogma down into two pieces. First, where did sin come from? God is a giver. When he made us in his image and likeness, he made us to be givers, too. Our first parents got tricked into taking something that didn't belong to them. They felt ashamed and they hid themselves. This is original sin. Even though we know that we were made to be givers, we all look for sneaky ways to take things that don't belong to us. A great example is the . This gift is meant to be given away to the right person, someone who will receive my gift and make a gift of themselves back to me. But we often think I should be using this gift for ourselves. Mary is given the gift of the Immaculate Conception. This means that she is always a giver and never a taker. Her gift is meant to be given away. She gives it back to God and He blesses her and makes her fruitful. She receives from God, and gives to the world, the most perfect giver, Jesus Christ. Each of us is a gift. Let us learn to be receivers and givers, instead of takers and users. Let us give God the gift of ourselves today at Holy Mass. (8 Dec 2023) Going Deeper: When have you felt used, when others took from you instead of treating you as a gift? What are some sneaky ways that you have used others instead of treating them as gifts? Image from Adobe Stock | Over 13 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Watch! And Remember What God Has Done | #1401
12/05/2023
Watch! And Remember What God Has Done | #1401
Last week I spoke about the . If we are busy doing the things we are supposed to be doing, we have nothing to worry about. But are we really doing what Jesus told us to do? That is the question for our Advent season. We know that God is with us. The world that surrounds us is His Creation. Are you watching for the reminders of his presence? Think back to last Christmas... what were the things you really enjoyed? Did you notice the light and peace of the Christ Child? How did God answer your prayers last year, care for you, and provide for you? How easily we forget that God is with us. Watch for Him and remember where you saw him. (3 Dec 2023) Going Deeper: Do a review of your last Christmas. Maybe just scroll through a year's worth of pictures and notice where God was with you. Spend time giving thanks. Image (C) PilgrimPriest.us -- This photo was taken last fall at On This Rock Bookstore, and it was the last time I saw Anne Hocking alive. God did great things in her and through her. | Over 12 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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These Will Be The Questions On Your Final Exam | #1354
11/27/2023
These Will Be The Questions On Your Final Exam | #1354
It's the end of the world and we all need to pass the final exam. If you have come to church the last three weeks, you now know the test questions. Are you ? ? How have you treated the poor? The King of Kings is seated on his glorious throne and all the nations are gathered in front of him. The king judges the people on how they treated him. When they protest that they have never seen him before, he responds, "Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me." It sometimes appears as if God is letting people get away with murder and everything else. We might prefer that God would sort things out right now and then there was no final exam and we all got a pass into eternity. On the other hand, we often act as though, since no one else as preparing for the test, we don't have to, either. The truth is, no one gets away with anything. Our Teacher is present with us in humble and quiet ways. We are often not humble enough or quiet enough to notice him. Advent is a great time for us to learn to be a little more quiet and humble, so we can start preparing today for our final exam. (26 Nov 2023) Going Deeper: Are you ever guilty of thinking, "No one else cares about what God teaches, so I won't either?" Or, "No one as looking so it doesn't matter?" At the end of the world, what are some things you did secretly that will testify in your favor when they come to light? Image (C) PilgrimPriest.us | Over 12 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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The Final Accounting | #1353
11/21/2023
The Final Accounting | #1353
In the Parable of the Talents, the master only cares about money. He is thrilled with his servants who have learned to do as he does. The third servant is terrified of losing his master's money, and gets exactly the thing he was trying to avoid. Our master is Jesus. What does Jesus love? He as certainly not a lover of money, power, pleasure, or popularity. Jesus loves God, and he loves God's people. If we want to be worthy servants of our master, we need to learn to love what Jesus loves. I worry that many of us, like the third servant, more motivated by fear than by love. We allow God to love us to some extent, but then we bury our faith at home and at work. How many of us are excited about Thanksgiving because we have a wonderful opportunity to share God's love with our guests? The "worthy wife" from Proverbs 31 is putting her love into action by caring for her husband, her children, and the poor. Her love has become "incarnate" in her everyday actions. If we want to be "good and faithful servants" at the final accounting, then we must love what our Master loves, and do what our Master would do. (19 Nov 2023) Going Deeper: When have I allowed myself to be more motivated by fear than by love, and buried my gifts instead of bearing fruit for the Kingdom? Do I know others who bury their gifts because they feel insignificant? | Over 12 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Are You Wise or Foolish? Here's How You Can Tell | #1352
11/15/2023
Are You Wise or Foolish? Here's How You Can Tell | #1352
The intellect is the faculty of the soul that is attracted to the truth. Everything looks true at first, but only that which as genuinely true will hold up to scrutiny. We need to develop good intellectual habits to scrutinize and retain only what is true. The will is the power of the soul that is moved by the good. Society seems to believe, "It is good because I want it." The reality is the opposite. I want it because at looks good for me. Before we do evil, we must justify it; we convince ourselves that it is somehow good. The fool will settle for things that look good. The wise person only wants what is truly good. Things that appear good will often turn out to not be actually good. With practice and humility, you can learn to avoid things that only appear good, and choose things that are truly good. Wisdom begins when you realize that you are not wise and can ask for and receive help. In the last analysis, the only true and lasting good is God himself. If you learn to live wisely here and now, you will be able to enjoy God for eternity. (12 Nov 2023) Going Deeper: Are there areas in my life where I have allowed myself to be continually fooled by the appearance of good? What would an actually good choice look like in this area? | Over 12 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Healthy Sexuality Leads to Freedom and Peace | #1351
11/08/2023
Healthy Sexuality Leads to Freedom and Peace | #1351
In today's reading, the priests have "...turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction." God says, "I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people." And finally, the people themselves, "break faith with one another, violating the covenant of our fathers." Imagine what would happen if the doctors kept changing their teachings on healthy living to match whatever unhealthy habits were popular at the moment. We know what healthy sexuality looks like, but we priests are not teaching the truth for fear of what people might say. Consequently, the priests themselves have been terribly disgraced in this very area. And the people are suffering from broken marriage covenants. I'm not here to make you feel bad. I want to apologize for at least five different ways your priests have failed you: Priests haven't been fathers. Your priests need to be, "warm demanders." How many priests have you known that really lived up to the name of "Father"? Priests haven't been good at teaching chastity because they haven't been good at living chastity. Priests haven't explained, "Why." There wasn't a good answer to this question until the Theology of the Body by St. John Paul II. He teaches that my sexuality is a gift that is meant to be given away, and not used for myself. Priests haven't walked with people who are struggling. We need to both teach the rules and also accompany people on the journey to healing and wholeness so they can live chastity well, without repressing or indulging. Priests need to do a better job introducing people to a friendship with Jesus. Friendship with Jesus has been to source of guidance, healing, and peace for me. In this day and age, the biggest thing holding the Church back from experiencing new life in Christ is not being good stewards of the gift of our sexuality. I'm not here to throw stones. I want to help you get the healing that you need to allow you to experience the freedom and peace of true chastity. (5 Nov 2023) Going Deeper: Do you agree with Fr. Joel's definition of healthy sexuality? Why or why not? Photo©Adobe Stock | Over 12 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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Have Your Friends Ever Met a Christian? | #1350
11/06/2023
Have Your Friends Ever Met a Christian? | #1350
• St. Philip Neri was called the "Second Apostle of Rome." Most people in Rome in the 1500's were infatuated with worldly pleasures and the pursuit of power, fame, and wealth. They had decided being a Christian was boring. But there was one little problem: even though they had all grown up Catholic, most people had never met an actual Christian. Philip showed people that living for Christ was the most exciting adventure and the most fulfilling life. Nowadays, most people have decided that Christianity is boring. They would much rather spend their energy on other things. But have they ever really met a Christian? (1 Nov 2023) Going Deeper: Have you experienced the joy of living for Jesus? How do you share that joy with others? Photo©PilgrimPriest.us | Over 12 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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What Does "I Love You" Really Mean? | #1349
10/30/2023
What Does "I Love You" Really Mean? | #1349
We should love God and neighbor. But what do we mean by love? Too often the words, "I love you," actually mean, "You make me feel good," or "You look useful to me." Since God is love, we can only really learn true love from God himself. For God, love is sacrifice. The crucifix is the most perfect image of true love. The Christian faith is powered by the living experience of God's love. Priesthood, fundamentally, is about helping people fall in love with a Person that they cannot see. We as Christians are meant to incarnate the love of Jesus. When we fall in love with Jesus, and love others as Jesus loves us, then we make the invisible love of God visible to the people around us. (29 Oct 2023) Going Deeper: The Latin word for love was so corrupted by pagan sexual practices that Christians had to invent a new word, caritas (charity) to translate the Greek, agape. What words would you use to describe the way God loves us? | Over 12 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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The One Thing That Does Not Belong to God | #1348
10/25/2023
The One Thing That Does Not Belong to God | #1348
The king of Persia doesn't know God but finds himself an agent of God's plan to restore the Jews. The leaders of Israel know the true God, but refuse to cooperate with His plans. If Jesus really speaks the truth, shouldn't they be listening to him? Cesar is not a god, but God allows him to exercise power, so we should obey him. What in nature as stamped in God's own image? We are! We who bear the image of God should be giving ourselves back to God. What will you do with the gift that is you? By living stewardship, we give ourselves back to God. How am I using the Time God gives me in ways that do not glorify Him? Are my Talents being used to bless others? When it comes to Treasure, how much do I want God to bless me? Go and do the same. (22 Oct 2023) Going Deeper: If you are part of the Antigo Area Catholic Churches, fill out your Stewardship Renewal card and turn it in. You can also fill it out online. See the links at | Over 12 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share| Find me on and | |
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