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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How to Not Bear Rotten Fruit | #1634
08/06/2026
How to Not Bear Rotten Fruit | #1634
Romans 8:35 is a great passage to memorize. St. Paul has experienced all kinds of anguish and distress but the love of God has conquered it. The Romans will need to believe in God's love to survive the coming persecution. is about how the people trusted in themselves and bore rotten fruit. shows that God will restore and renew the people once they have been purified. Even our sins don't separate us from the love of God! If we rely on ourselves and to avoid anguish, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness and all the rest... we will bear rotten fruit. If we trust in God, then he will bring us through anguish, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness and all the rest, and we will bear great fruit... and conquer overwhelmingly! (2 Aug 2026) Going Deeper: Memorize all or a part of Romans 8:31b-39 31b If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. AdobeStock_452386270 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Weeds and Wheat Growing Together | #1633
07/22/2026
Weeds and Wheat Growing Together | #1633
You come to Mass most Sundays, and even Holy Days of Obligation. You try not to swear or drink too much or gossip. You are learning to pray and you want to follow Jesus as faithfully as you can. Meanwhile you know many people--friends, coworkers, your children, siblings, even a spouse--who don't seem to care. They spend every Sunday working, sleeping, or doing basically everything but coming to church. Maybe they drink, gossip, and swear as much as they like. Jesus doesn't seem to care. If that's the situation you find yourself in, than this parable is for you. Good seed and bad weeds are growing side-by-side. The Master isn't doing anything about it. But he has a plan: "Let them grow until harvest time. Then we will save the wheat and burn up the weeds." This parable is taken from daily life in Palestine. The people relied heavily on wheat. A clever local weed called darnel looks just like wheat. But when the heads form, you can easily tell the difference. What is the big difference between weeds and good crops? The wheat, or any other crop for that matter, produces something that is useful to others. They have a gift to give. The crops are givers. The weeds have nothing to give away to anyone. They are in it for themselves. The weeds are takers. To God, the world looks like a field full of weeds and wheat. The world is full of givers and takers. At the moment, it may appear that following Jesus and living for others makes no difference. God seems to be indifferent to this situation. But there will be a reckoning, a final judgement, a harvest. When Jesus tells us, "Do not judge," he is not saying there will be no judgement. He is saying that we are sitting in his seat. He is the judge, and he knows the truth of every human heart. We need to trust in God's final judgement. So why is he waiting? God is waiting for the fruits to appear. He is giving us time to weed our hearts so we can start producing good fruit. It's not just those other people that need time to produce; God is waiting for us. He made us good seed. We are meant to bear good fruit. But the enemy has sown weeds in our hearts. If we don't weed our hearts, we will bear bad fruit. And we will face the fire at harvest time (19 July 2026) Going Deeper: Focus on and don't worry about the other people. AdobeStock_681629710 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Cultivate the Soil of Your Heart | #1632
07/14/2026
Cultivate the Soil of Your Heart | #1632
When scripture talks about a gardener, a vineyard owner, or a sower, we are meant to think of God. God "gardened" the world into existence by speaking his word. The world simply receives God's word and does what he says. Human hearts are more complicated. Matthew chapter 12 shows much opposition to Jesus's word. In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus changes his preaching style. He keeps preaching the truth, but now in riddles or puzzles. You won't be able to receive it if your heart is not open. We have a responsibility to cultivate the soil of our hearts. The hard soil makes me think of friends, family, and media that scoffs at or dismisses Catholic faith. The rocks are like the hurts and wounds that lurk under the surface. We need to open to God's word the places that have become fossilized by self-protection and self-reliance. Finally, the weeds can speak to all the places where our schedules are overgrown. God has put a lot of care into you... is he seeing any fruit? We need to cultivate a heart that is ready to receive and grow God's word. (12 Jul 2026) Going Deeper: Can you think of any birds you need to shoo or weeds you need to pull? AdobeStock_440102603 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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She Recevies a Prophet. This is How God Rewards Her | #1631
07/02/2026
She Recevies a Prophet. This is How God Rewards Her | #1631
and he rewards hospitality. A woman of influence feeds and houses Elisha. He wants to reward her, so he promises her a son. God sees the desire of her heart even though she refuses to acknowledge it. He gives her the gift she doesn't even dare to dream about. Then he takes the boy away from her; then he gives him back to her. Is God being cruel? God knows that our deepest desire is for God himself. Here at Mass, Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. He does this so that we will welcome Him into our hearts and into our homes. He wants to transform us so that we can welcome others and truly love them. God welcomes us so that we will welcome him so that we can welcome others. God sees, God knows, and God understands. And he will give you what you most deeply desire. (28 Jun 2026) Going Deeper: Read for yourself. There's a further reference in . Image from Google | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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God Sees. And He Understands | #1630
06/25/2026
God Sees. And He Understands | #1630
You spend a couple hours playing in the basement building the world's most amazing marble track. Then along comes your brother... and maliciously smashes everything! How do you respond? You might yell, cry, call him names, go smash something of his... or you might go tell Mom everything. This Mom has the time to listen and she really understands. And she assures you that she and Dad are going to take care of it. We could go a step further and imagine that your mom was watching the whole time. She saw your creativity and your delight. And she knew what your brother was thinking. God heads off evil more often than we realize. But he doesn't save every marble track. God sees everything. We always have his attention, because he never stops loving us. Even a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without him seeing it. God is watching everyone. This gives Jeremiah confidence when his friends turn against him. God wants the nation of Israel to trust in him and live their covenant by caring for each other and the poor. We need to live our lives with the confidence that God is watching at every moment. Even if mom didn't see, even if dad wasn't there for us, God sees everything and he is there for us. The Lord sees you and he understands. (21 Jun 2026) Going Deeper: What does Christian fatherhood mean to you? Listen to Tony's and Steve's reflections and then draft a brief reflection of your own. AdobeStock_750758012 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Some Give by Going and Some Go by Giving | #1629
06/15/2026
Some Give by Going and Some Go by Giving | #1629
The Israelites leave Egypt, cross the Red Sea, and spend a year and a half at the foot of Mt. Sinai. It is here that God gives them the Law and they become "The Chosen People." Christians believe that we, too, are the chosen people. But we also believe that we have been given authority and a mission to bring the love and truth of Jesus Christ to all peoples. Every Christian participates in the mission work throughout the world. Fr. Augustine Adetola shares the needs in his home Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria. They focus on education, health care, and basic services. Some give by going and others go by giving. Pray for the mission work of the church throughout the world and donate to support the missions. (14 Jun 2026) Going Deeper: Learn more about the . Image from Diocese of Ijebu-Ode Website | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Break the Cycle of Not-a-Gift | #1628
06/03/2026
Break the Cycle of Not-a-Gift | #1628
God is one divine nature but three separate persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father IS self-giving love and when he gives himself away, that gift is the Son. The Son gives himself back to the Father, and their mutual love is the Holy Spirit. The Church believes that every human child is a gift from God. The proper response to the presence of a child is to receive, cherish, and protect that gift. As children grow, they are able to give love as siblings and brothers, then as spouses, and finally as parents. We start with receiving the gift and then we grow into the role of the Giver. God's beautiful plan doesn't always happen that way. Sometimes parents are too busy, distracted, or selfish to really receive their child as a gift. Children can grow up thinking they have to earn love and seeing each other as competition. And then it's hard for them to cherish their children as a gift. And the cycle continues. How can we break the cycle? By discovering the Fatherhood of God and the Motherhood of Mary. Through Baptism we are incorporated into the Trinity. Our true identity must be rooted in God's love for me. When we find our Home in the Trinity, then we are able to make an ever more perfect gift of ourselves. (31 May 2026) Going Deeper: When do I least feel like a gift? What would it look like if I were able to, "Find my home in the Trinity?" How can my words and actions more reflect the reality that my spouse, and my children, are a gift? AdobeStock_491418682 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Are You Standing Outside the Fire? | #1627
05/25/2026
Are You Standing Outside the Fire? | #1627
God is a community of love. We were made by love and for love; we were created to live in God's community. God's one desire is to draw us into communion with himself. Our sins have made us both unworthy and unable to participate in God's community. So Jesus comes to reconnect us with God. He does this first "in the flesh" by being God and Man. He offers himself as the perfect sacrifice to free us from our sins. Then he sends us the Holy Spirit, which is the fire of God's divine love. As a spirit gives life to the body, so the Holy Spirit gives life to the church. When we gather at Sunday Mass, we are gathering around the "camp fire" to be warmed by the love of God. So many of us are standing outside the fire of God's love. When we come into the fire, it hurts but it heals us, it frees and reveals us: Standing inside the fire! The Holy Spirit wants to set us on fire so that each of us can burn with the love of God. God's one desire is to bring us into communion with him. So why do we keep standing outside the fire? (24 May 2026) Going Deeper: Learn the for yourself. AdobeStock_229271513 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Pin the Flame on the Apostle | #1626
05/15/2026
Pin the Flame on the Apostle | #1626
The Sunday Lectionary is designed around the idea of promise and fulfillment. In the Gospel, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit. The Acts of the Apostles shows what happens when the Holy Spirit comes in power. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit, "the Paraclete" which means "one who is called alongside of you." The Spirit helps Christians in our needs. One day at Faith Formation we played a game, "Pin the flame on the Apostle." We blindfolded the students and spun them in circles. But then they called alongside of them a sighted classmate who could whisper in their ear and give them guidance. Most of them did a great job with the help of a Paraclete. The Spirit comes to teach us that we are not orphans. We don't need to protect ourselves, provide for ourselves, or guide ourselves because we have the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit! (10 Mary 2026) Going Deeper: Plan a . Play "Pin the Flame on the Apostle." Image AdobeStock_28706731 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Living Stones Show How Every Vocation Can Be Special | #1625
05/06/2026
Living Stones Show How Every Vocation Can Be Special | #1625
How can every vocation be special? Each rock that makes up St. Hyacinth Church is a unique shape, size, and color. The whole church is built of unique, unrepeatable stones. Every stone is special! In a similar way, each and every person has a special vocation. These vocations all have something in common. Every Christian shares in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, which means we offer sacrifice, sanctify the world, and connect heaven and earth. You bring the offering of your life to the altar, I offer it to God, receive Jesus, and give Jesus back to you. Then bring Jesus out with you into the world. The one big obstacle to all our vocations is egoism, that is, believing that my life is all about me. It prevents me from accepting the shape that God has created me to be and from giving myself away. How do you find your vocation? Practice listening to the voice of God today. Learn to live with Jesus and for Jesus each and every day. If you are really living your Christian life well, whoever has seen you has seen Jesus. (3 May 2026) Going Deeper: Pray to be freed from egoism, so that you can live each day with Jesus and for Jesus. Image © PilgrimPriest.us | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life and So Do We | #1624
04/28/2026
The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life and So Do We | #1624
Happy Good Shepherd Sunday, which could have also been called "Sheep Gate Sunday." Today is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. I think we often associate the word "vocation" with recruiting people to be priests and nuns. But the first vocation, the first "call" we receive, is the call of Baptism. I was recently listening to a . Mr. Shai Held says that love is an orientation, that is, a choice to engage the world with a particular stance or attitude. Through Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion, every Christian is called to love God and incarnate God's love in our attitude towards others. Our Baptism is a call to a life of self-giving love. Through Baptism, I learn to lay down my life for others. All the secondary vocations are calls to particular ways of self-giving love. Marriage is the call to give yourself to your spouse. Single people can serve others in their family and community. Religious life is a call to self-giving love in and through a community. Priesthood is a call to self-giving love after the model of the Good Shepherd. Each of us is called to that stance, posture, or orientation of self-giving love after the model of Jesus Christ. Are you following the call? (26 Apr 2026) Going Deeper: How would you describe in your own words what the stance, posture, or orientation of self-giving love means? In what ways are you living this well, and where do you need to improve? | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Three Steps to Emmaus | #1623
04/20/2026
Three Steps to Emmaus | #1623
• The Road to Emmaus is one of my favorite stories. It's possible that a married couple, Cleopas and his wife, are walking together. They are feeling discouraged and have been walking away from the church. Seeing Jesus in the Eucharist causes them to come back to the church. Do you want to see the risen Jesus? Then follow these three steps from today's Gospel: Be really honest with Jesus. Put your burdens in front of him. Receive what Jesus wants to say to you. Are you making time each day to read the Word of God? Invite Jesus deeper into your life. When we realize the Risen Jesus really is walking with us, we can say, as St. Peter does: I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.... You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. (19 Apr 2026) Going Deeper: How is the Holy Spirit calling you to invite Jesus more deeply into your life? | Thank you to those who come to our services in person. | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Peace in the Midst of Transitions and Trials | #1622
04/16/2026
Peace in the Midst of Transitions and Trials | #1622
This weekend the Diocese of Green Bay made public the new priest assignments. Today I read a letter from the Diocese informing the people of our parishes that our current assistant, Fr. Kamal Gopu, will be leaving us on May 4th. Our new assistant, Fr. Michael Thiel, will be starting on July 1, 2026. The Diocese does not usually tell the story behind the decisions, which can cause confusion, doubt, and hurt feelings. St. Peter says, "In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." I don't enjoy trials, but as they often expose our weaknesses. They can also prove us and purify us. The Risen Jesus brought great peace, strength, and unity to the early Christian community. With Jesus, they could face every trial. Transitions bring grieving and new opportunities. The same Risen Jesus stands in our midst and offers us peace when we are ready to receive it. (12 Apr 2026) Going Deeper: How do the trials you are facing look or feel different if you know that Jesus is with you? | Thank you to those who come to our services in person. | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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The Easter Secret for a Successful Life | #1621
04/10/2026
The Easter Secret for a Successful Life | #1621
• If Easter Sunday were just a one-day celebration, our current wintry weather would really dampen the celebration. But we began preparing for this celebration 40 days ago with the start of Lent. And Easter Sunday itself is the final day of a three-day journey, beginning with Holy Thursday and continuing on Good Friday. The Shroud of Turin testifies to the brutality of the crucifixion, all that Jesus would have suffered. It also testifies to something else... you would have needed 34 trillion watts of energy to create this image. Was that the moment of the Resurrection? The happens every Holy Saturday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Easter reminds us that Jesus is with us and his light will always conquer the darkness. I think most of us want to get to the end of our life and look back and say, "That was worth it!" How can we guarantee that our life can be successful? Easter reveals Jesus's secret for success: We are God's children, and doing our Father's will will lead to the most successful life possible. The Resurrection is an invitation to new life right here and right now. (5 Apr 2026) Going Deeper: How would my life look different if I let go of the need to be strong, smart or successful, and chose to follow the will of God in my life? AdobeStock_715900547 | Thank you to those who come to our services in person. | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Is This the Worst Kind of Suffering? | #1620
04/04/2026
Is This the Worst Kind of Suffering? | #1620
• We experience many different forms of suffering: illness, tragedy, the death of loved ones. But the worst kind of suffering is to have no sense of our purpose. Each one of us is a gift, hand-made by God and given to the world. But the world often does not receive us as a gift. On Good Friday, Jesus is completely and totally rejected. Even though the world rejects him, he knows that his gift is safe in the Father's hands. No one can take away his gift; he gives it freely and generously. You are worth it. Jesus died for you. No matter where you have been or what you have done, Jesus still sees you as a gift. Your gift is meant to be given back to God. When we unite our sufferings back to God, they find their meaning and purpose in the cross of Jesus Christ. (2 Apr 2026) Going Deeper: How can each of the kinds of suffering you experience be united to Jesus on the cross? Image: AdobeStock_409645104 copy | Thank you to those who come to our services in person. | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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We Love Because He First Loved Us | #1619
04/02/2026
We Love Because He First Loved Us | #1619
• The Paschal Lamb was a sacrifice and a sacred meal. It's blood saved the Israelites from the Angel of Death. It died for them, so that they could live. Then the people then consumed the sacrifice with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. We give people we love mementos of our love. Jesus reminds us of his love by giving us his very self. Before you consume this meal, ask yourself: "Am I willing to give in the same measure?" We must love others as we have been loved. We wash feet, and then we invite those whose feet were washed to wash the feet of their loved ones. We love because he first loved us. (2 Apr 2026) Going Deeper: Have a family Last Supper moment by the husband washing his wife's feet, then the parents can wash their children's feet. Image: AdobeStock_1816495077 | Thank you Fr. Kamal and Deacons Andy and Peter | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform. | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Donkeys are Marked with the Sign of the Cross | #1618
03/29/2026
Donkeys are Marked with the Sign of the Cross | #1618
Today, Jesus looks like a king. He fulfills the prophecy of Zachariah 9:9. Following Jesus, and accepting his kingdom, gives us freedom from all the kingdoms of this world. Even donkeys are marked with a cross! It's easy to follow Jesus when everyone is cheering for him. But will you keep following Jesus when things get hard? If we follow Jesus and accept his kingship, then our lives will also be marked with the cross. After the reading of the Passion How can God be a good Father if he lets us suffer? How could God be a good Father when he lets Jesus die on the cross? Jesus believes that his Father is a good Father. He believes that if he's doing his Father's will, God will be with him, he will have the strength to accomplish it, and it will be worth it in the end. Peter wants to do God's will, but he is relying on his own strength. Judas thinks he has everything figured out; he knows better than God. Peter falls back on Jesus' love for him, while Judas has nothing to fall back on. Whenever we are suffering, Jesus suffers with us and for us. We can unite our sufferings to Jesus on the cross. Here in Holy Week, let us turn our sufferings into sacrifices. (29 Mar 2026) Going Deeper: How do the sufferings you experience in your life look differently if you know that God is with you, he will give you the strength you need, and those sufferings will be worth it? | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform. | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Have You Prepared for Your Funeral? For Your Resurrection? | #1617
03/24/2026
Have You Prepared for Your Funeral? For Your Resurrection? | #1617
It is never too early to plan your funeral! At least write a few things down: what church, what cemetery, what funeral home, what do you want to wear at your funeral? Jesus totally disappoints his friends. They tell him that their brother, his friend, is sick. He totally ghosts them. Jesus doesn't show up until after the funeral is over. When he finally turns up, his friends say what we've all thought a time or two: "Lord, if you had been here my brother, sister, parent, child... would not have died!" Jesus cries with them. Then he offers them new life. Whoever has Christ, has life. Jesus calls his friend by name... and gives him new life. The human race has been "tied" by burial bands. Jesus wants to untie us and set us free. We cannot expect to rise with Christ if we have not died with Christ. Are you prepared for your funeral? Are you prepared for your Friend to raise you from the dead? (22 Mar 2026) Going Deeper: Make a funeral plan. Talk to your loved ones about it. Then talk to them about the Resurrection of the Dead and Life Everlasting. | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform. | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Jesus Teaches a Master Class on Evangelization | #1616
03/11/2026
Jesus Teaches a Master Class on Evangelization | #1616
Our annual parish Lenten retreat talked about discipleship, stewardship, and evangelization. Let's watch Jesus as he shows us how to evangelize. Jews and Samaritans don't get along, so Jesus starts with something they have in common. Jesus knows that she is thirsty. All this time as she has been searching and thirsting, Jesus has been the one she has been looking for. The Samaritan woman has been blocking the flow of God's life by her selfish lifestyle choices. She tries to change the subject to an argument about religion. Jesus points out her deep desire to be a worshiper of the true God. She leaves her water jar. She no longer needs to ask the things of this world to satisfy her because she has found the source of true life and true love. When we are trying to evangelize, we need to first remove the obstacles that prevent us from truly receiving the life of God. We need to recognize how thirsty we are, and unblock ourselves from all the ways we have tried to satisfy our own thirst with something other than Jesus. Jesus was sitting on the well. God was standing on the rock in front of Moses. In a similar way, Jesus is already present in the lives of those we love. He can do for them what we cannot do ourselves. Evangelization is not about convincing people that we are right. It's about helping people we love discover how thirsty they are, and then showing them where to find the spring of life-giving water. (8 Mar 2026) Going Deeper: Listen to about how to evangelize and the lay vocation. How is God calling you to evangelize? You can also read . | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform. | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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A Mountain Top Experience As We Journey Into the Desert | #1615
03/02/2026
A Mountain Top Experience As We Journey Into the Desert | #1615
Lent does not exist for itself. It exists to prepare us for Easter and new life in Christ. On the way into the desert, the nation of Israel stops for a mountain-top experience. The Israelites have been brought out of Egypt but they still have Egypt in their hearts. Are we the sort of people that have to wander in the desert because we don't trust God, or are we the new generation that trusts in God? Jesus gives his three closest disciples a mountain-top experience. I had a mountain-top experience in adoration this past week. When did Jesus become real for you? Save your mountain-top moments. Keep going back to them. Here are three ways you can do that: 1) Make a commitment to come to Mass on Sunday. When you do, kneel down and reconnect with a place where you felt that God was with you. 2) Make time to come to confession so you can look Jesus in the face again. 3) Make time for adoration. Save those mountain top moments; you'll need them as we go back down into the desert. (1 Mar 2026) Going Deeper: When did God become real for you? How has he revealed his presence to you? How is he trying to strengthen you for your combat in the desert? AdobeStock_232588083 | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform. | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Guarding the Garden | #1614
03/02/2026
Guarding the Garden | #1614
Adam is given the job to "keep" the garden (the Hebrew word is shamar). Adam fails to guard both the garden and his wife. Jesus feels abandoned by God. He falls back on the lessons God taught the Israelites in their 40 years in the desert. Jesus is guarding and protecting his true identity, and God's true identity as his loving Father. We do not conquer sin and death by figuring out the techniques that Jesus used. Instead, we conquer sin and death by joining Jesus in HIS victory over sin and death. We need to guard and protect our true identity this Lenten season. Guard your mind: "Take every thought captive to obey Christ." Guard your words. Guard your actions. Guard your true identity in Christ. (22 Feb 2026) AdobeStock_1834183058 | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform. | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Half-Hearted Lovers | #1613
02/22/2026
Half-Hearted Lovers | #1613
• Would you want a boyfriend or girlfriend who loved you half-heartedly? How many of you would want to play on a team with half-hearted teammates? Do you want to live in a family who loves each other half-heartedly? Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta were half-hearted Catholics. Then an angel appeared to them to prepare them for Mary's visit. That following spring, on May 13, 1917, Mary appeared to them. She told them they needed to pray and do penance for the conversion of sinners. They began to pray many rosaries and make many sacrifices, including giving away their lunch to other poor shepherd children. They were praying, fasting, and giving alms. During Lent, we not only do penance for our own sins, but also for the sins in the world. Our prayers, sacrifices, and alms-giving can make the world a better place. Stop living a half-hearted life! (18 Feb 2026) Going Deeper: How would your life be different if you loved God with your whole heart? How does Lent look different if your sacrifices are not just for you, but for the whole world? | | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Let Your Yes Mean YES and Your No Mean NO | #1612
02/19/2026
Let Your Yes Mean YES and Your No Mean NO | #1612
Ordinary Time, 6th Sunday (A) Campus ministry is thriving at UW-Oshkosh thanks to your donations to the Bishop's Appeal and the Raising Vocations collection. Missionaries are reaching college students with the love of Jesus, and those students are themselves becoming missionaries on college campuses around the U.S.. You might have heard this sermon: "You're not holy enough; try harder!" That's not really the Gospel message. Our intellect was designed to know the truth and our will was designed to choose that which is good. Sin darkens our intellect and weakens our will. It's easy to believe lies, and even when we know the truth, we don't always do it. Whenever we make good choices, we become more free. Whenever we make evil choices, we become less free. We are working with darkened intellects, weakened will, and we are being harassed by an evil genius bent on destroying us. Fortunately, God gives us the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills. The Gospel is not saying, "Try harder." Rather, Jesus is pointing out to us that it's not enough for us to follow the rules. Our hearts must also be transformed. Let us say YES to the Holy Spirit and his truth and goodness. Let us say NO to even the little lies and all the small ways we don't fully love. (15 Feb 2026) Going Deeper: "Holy Spirit, where is it that you want to bring me into more freedom and truth and goodness this Lenten season?" Listen to Msgr. Shea's keynote at Seek 2024, "Why Are We So Depressed?" AdobeStock_254749271 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at PilgrimPriest.us/podcast | Like, subscribe, and share us with your enemies. | Find me on Facebook | Powered by Patrons | give through PayPal or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Illuminating Holy Matrimony | #1611
01/26/2026
Illuminating Holy Matrimony | #1611
Jesus is the light. By the light of his love, we can see our own lives more clearly. We know that we were made by love and for love. Love moves us into communion and community. From the very beginning of creation, Adam and Eve were able to receive one another as a gift. But after sin happens, they fall into the trap of using and being used. This leads to rivalries, jealousies, and divisions. How can we give ourselves completely to one another? We need to start by giving ourselves completely and totally to God. God will teach us that we are a gift an will help us make a gift of ourselves to one another free of fear and using. Married couples are a light to the world. Let your light shine! (25 Jan 2026) Going Deeper: Do you know any married couples whose love really shines? How do you see God's love through them? | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Let's Talk About Confirmation | #1610
01/24/2026
Let's Talk About Confirmation | #1610
Last Sunday we celebrated the feast of our Lord's Baptism. This week, the readings speak to us of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is the sacrament most closely connected to the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was Baptized by John in the River Jordan, me came out of the water and the Holy Spirit landed on him like a dove. The Holy Spirit remained with him. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "His whole life and his whole mission are carried out in total communion with the Holy Spirit whom the Father gives him 'without measure.' This fullness of the Spirit was not to remain uniquely the Messiah's, but was to be communicated to the whole messianic people.... Those who believed in the apostolic preaching and were baptized received the gift of the Holy Spirit in their turn." Ordinarily, the Bishop is the one who confers the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Bishop is a successor to the Apostles who were present at Pentecost. This practice shows that the Christian who is confirmed is in Communion with the local Bishop, who is the guarantor and servant of unity, catholicity, and apostolicity in his church. The Bishop traces a sign of the cross on the forehead of each person to be confirmed and says, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." A seal in the ancient world was a mark of ownership. St Paul tells us that God has put his seal upon us. It shows ownership and protection. And it is permanent. Like Baptism, Confirmation can be received only once. It marks the person as a Christian. The catechism calls this "an indelible spiritual mark" which means that your Confirmation cannot be erased by any power. What are the effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation? "It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: - it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!"; - it unites us more firmly to Christ; - it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us; - it renders our bond with the Church more perfect; - it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross." The Syriac liturgy of Antioch expresses the epiclesis for the consecration of the sacred chrism (myron) in this way: "[Father . . . send your Holy Spirit] on us and on this oil which is before us and consecrate it, so that it may be for all who are anointed and marked with it holy myron, priestly myron, royal myron, anointing with gladness, clothing with light, a cloak of salvation, a spiritual gift, the sanctification of souls and bodies, imperishable happiness, the indelible seal, a buckler of faith, and a fearsome helmet against all the works of the adversary." "Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit - his actions, his gifts, and his biddings - in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. the latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands. "To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act. Each candidate for Confirmation is accompanied by a sponsor, a fellow Christian who has already been Confirmed, is at least 16 years old, and is himself living a good example of faith in the Holy Spirit. Each candidate also chooses a patron saint and is Confirmed in the name of the saint. So we have an earthly helper, a fellow Christian, and a heavenly helper. We need to keep and preserve the gifts that God gives us. We must all work to grow in a more intimate union with Christ, and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit. (18 Jan 2026) Going Deeper: Read about the . 1285 Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." Read more in the -1381. AdobeStock_472225992 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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I Never Thought I Would Preach a Homily on This Topic | #1609
01/17/2026
I Never Thought I Would Preach a Homily on This Topic | #1609
We naturally love that which is good. Therefore, you should love yourself. Rightly-ordered self-love is the fruit of seeing your own goodness and loving that which is good. You should desire your own continued existence and your own flourishing. You are not the source of your own goodness. We love our Creator as the source of our goodness. And when we look around at others, we see that they are also good like us, and we love them. So love of others and love of God flow from love of self. Do you see how important it is to love yourself rightly? This is exactly why the Devil attacks your value! Most of us struggle to love ourselves rightly because the Devil keeps attacking our value and dignity. Note: disordered self love is when I falsely think I have more goodness than anyone else. I might even think I am better than God himself. That is disordered self love because it's not rooted in the truth. This isn't what we are talking about. So how can we learn to love ourselves rightly? The human community must welcome each person and love that person as God does. The human community needs to be transformed. It is transformed by the love of God. Finding and experiencing God's love is essential for us to learn to love ourselves rightly. Jesus got a good start because Mary and Joseph created a good family environment. But at his Baptism, he still needed to hear his Father say, "Son, I love you, and I'm proud of you." We all need to hear these words. And we need to live in this love. Repeat after me: "It is good that I exist." Now turn to your neighbor and tell them, "It is good that you exist." (11 Jan 2026) Going Deeper: If yourself were a friend of yours, would that friend feel loved by you? Two podcast episodes that inspired this topic: and . @
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Gifts for the True Star | #1608
01/11/2026
Gifts for the True Star | #1608
• Marco Polo claims to have seen the incorrupt bodies of the three magi. God is directing a great drama and each of us has a special role. Everyone else is fighting to be the star of the show. But we recognize that the true star is Jesus, with Mary as Best Supporting Actress. Herod needs to be the star, and he will eliminate any competition. The Wise Men show us who is the true Star. They also teach us that we have a gift to give. Every Sunday at Mass, we present our gifts to the King and God, the healer of our ills. (4 Jan 2026) Going Deeper: What kind of gifts do you have to give at Sunday Mass? Read . AdobeStock_472225992 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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A Mother's Authority | #1607
01/04/2026
A Mother's Authority | #1607
• God is three Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is one person with two natures - human and divine. So can we call Mary the Mother of God? Yes, because she is the mother of a person, not a nature. God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. - Sirach 3:2 A mother has authority over her children. Mary is fully human but she has been given special graces and blessings. She has been given authority as the Mother of God's family. Her authority extends even over the demons. As our new year begins, let us learn to exercise the authority we have in Christ, while we also live within the protection of Mary's authority. (1 Jan 2026) Going Deeper: Listen to and learn for yourself about Mary's authority over even the demons. | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Joseph's Secret to Being a Great Father | #1606
01/01/2026
Joseph's Secret to Being a Great Father | #1606
We are each special, hand-made, and unique. When God creates children, he wants them to be welcomed into the world by a family. Right from the beginning, the family is under attack. Adam doesn't protect the garden. He and Eve disobey God. They begin living lives of isolation, self-protection, and self-reliance. How does Joseph manage to best Herod? Joseph is a good father to God's son because he is an obedient son of the Father. He does not rely on his own strength, wisdom, or abilities, but on God. Fathers and mothers are called to be visible signs of God's invisible love. We are all imperfect images of a perfect God. How do our actions contribute to a more or less holy family? Men, let us learn to be obedient sons to our heavenly Father so we can be the best fathers to our earthly families. (28 Dec 2025) Going Deeper: Do your rules for your children reflect God's high standards and his unconditional love? What would a man look like if he was striving to be an obedient son of God the Father? | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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The Only Gift That Will Save You | #1605
12/28/2025
The Only Gift That Will Save You | #1605
• I decorated my tree on Christmas Eve. It was a journey through my life history. As we listen to the genealogy of Jesus, we get a brief summary of the history of the entire Bible. Only one name is repeated. Each person is a unique link on the chain that leads to Jesus. You are precious and unique. God delights in you and rejoices in you. Not all of us are faithful. In fact, most of us are not faithful some of the time. God was faithful to his side of the covenant even when the ancestors of Jesus were not faithful to their side of the covenant. God sent his Son so that we could be born again. We don't always get the things we ask for from God. Even when we don't get what we wanted, we always get the gift we needed. Jimmy learned an important lesson when his little brother proved a better gift than a bicycle. Many of us will leave Jesus at church and not take him home with us because he doesn't fit our expectations or our lifestyle choices. But those who are willing to take him home will realize that he's exactly what they always needed. Because only this gift can save you. (24 Dec 2025) Going Deeper: When did God not answer your prayers with the gift you were hoping for? What did he give you instead of what you asked for? AdobeStock_451760533 | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at | Like, , and share us with your enemies. | Find me on | | or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.
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