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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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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A Sign That God Is With Us | #1604
12/23/2025
A Sign That God Is With Us | #1604
A young King Ahaz faces a complicated and difficult political situation. He doesn't need a plan, a strategy, or powerful allies because God will be with him. God wants to give him a sign, but he doesn't want a sign. Does he feel ashamed? Is he trying to be the one in control? Is he afraid to trust? Or maybe me thinks he doesn't matter. Whatever difficult situation, challenge, or darkness you are facing, God is with you. The answer you are looking for is not a present under a tree. God himself is the answer to your prayers. Watch and wait for him. Jesus's life on earth was itself a sign. He has been guiding the human race with wisdom and love since the beginning, and he will be with us until the end of time. In a similar way, Catholics sometimes think that the Eucharist is the only place we can find God. This is simply not true. God is everywhere. He made everything. The heavens tell his glory and the earth is full of signs of his wisdom, power, and love. But we have become so scientific-minded that we have forgotten how to read the signs all around us. The Eucharist is not the only place when can find Jesus. It is a sign to look for him everywhere. St. Joseph needs a sign. He is willing to leave Mary and take her shame with him. In Joseph we see true manhood: a willingness to sacrifice for others. He is also a sign of the coming sacrifice that Jesus will offer for me and for you. Joseph welcomes Mary, and Mary brings Christ. No matter how messy your heart or your home might be, do not be afraid to welcome Mary. She will prepare a place for Emmanuel, God-with-us. (21 Dec 2025) Going Deeper: slsl | 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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Waiting In Joyful Hope | #1603
12/19/2025
Waiting In Joyful Hope | #1603
For twenty years, Franciscan missionaries labored in Mexico with very little success. Finally, God acted through Mary, and in 10 years, over 8 million Aztecs and Chichimecas became Catholic. served as a missionary to teens through the Spiritus program. He often prayed at Champion Shrine and complained that God wasn't revealing his vocation to him. Finally, Mary spoke in his heart. All that waiting had put him in exactly the right place to answer the call. We can get discouraged when God doesn't act promptly. We might think that God isn't listening or doesn't care. We need to wait in joyful hope for God to act. Trust me, when God acts, it will be worth the wait. (14 Dec 2025) Going Deeper: Read the story of the for yourself. Or read about the . | 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 Most Perfect Gift | #1602
12/09/2025
The Most Perfect Gift | #1602
• Which Catholic teaching is the most difficult to accept? It's not the Immaculate Conception, the Incarnation, or Transubstantiation. Most people seem to have a really hard time with the idea that every child is a gift from God. Thanks to original sin, every child is perfect and precious and also rather annoying. And we make things worse when we make our own sinful choices. So when God wanted to send the most perfect gift, he made Mary not only precious and beautiful and loved, but also without original sin. Mary could spend her whole life being the good and beautiful person she was created to be. Mary gave God the gift of herself, and God gave her an even more perfect gift: Baby Jesus. By giving his life on the cross, Jesus made it so that each of us can become immaculate, like Mary. Mary reminds us that we are each a gift. She reminds us to treat ourselves as a gift and to treat others as a gift. She also shows us that, by giving ourselves back to God, we can become a more perfect gift. Going Deeper: Do you agree with Fr. Joel that this teaching is hard to accept? Why or why not? AdobeStock_220604677 | 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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Be Ready With This One Simple Habit | #1601
12/04/2025
Be Ready With This One Simple Habit | #1601
Winter was coming, but were you prepared? Advent was coming, were you ready? Jesus is coming; are you prepared to meet him? Some of our Protestant brothers and sisters use today's Gospel to justify "the rapture." But in the days of Noah, the evil people were taken and the good people were left. The rapture is the opposite: the good people are taken and the evil ones are left. The Catholic church does not believe in the rapture. We believe that Jesus will walk with the good people through difficult times. "He who perseveres to the end will be saved." When Jesus says, "One will be taken and one will be left," I think he means the experience of loosing those who were close to us. How can we be ready when it's our turn? I recommend the old Catholic practice of seeing every bedtime as a little death. We never know if today is our last day on earth. Before you go to bed, prepare yourself to meet Jesus. Spend some time in gratitude. Where was Jesus present in your day? How did you respond to his presence? Say an Act of Contrition. Then make a resolution for tomorrow. Winter was coming. Were you prepared? Christmas is coming. Are you prepared? Jesus is coming. Are you ready to meet him? (30 Nov 2025) Going Deeper: Before bedtime, make three simple steps: Gratitude, Contrition, and Resolution. . Introducing the New Album for 2026 Welcome to Season 16 of the Pilgrim Priest Podcast. This season is titled Breath Fire Light. The new podcast year always starts with the first Sunday of Advent. I try to find a meaningful title for the podcast that reflects what is going on spiritually in my life and in the parishes. This year, the image that came to me was that of a fire that has almost burned itself out. There are just a few coals left flickering. You breathe on the fire to breath life back into it. Then you add some kindling and keep breathing on it, coaxing it back into life. If you are successful, there is a moment when the kindling bursts into flame. Suddenly you have light! Our parishes have grown cold and many Catholics are barely smouldering. We need the Holy Spirit to breathe on us and coax us into flame. When we catch fire, then we can start to be a Light to the nations again. Breath. Fire. Light. | 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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What Do You Need to Entrust to the King? | #1550
11/24/2025
What Do You Need to Entrust to the King? | #1550
Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, a relatively new feast in the church year. It was added to the church calendar in 1925. It is not a celebration of the idea that it would be really nice if Jesus were our king. Nor does it celebrate the fact that Jesus will be a future king. Rather, this feast day acknowledges that all power in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus. Jesus is king now, despite the fact that earthly kings, presidents, and CEOs currently appear to have much more power than Jesus. God anointed King David, and later the people of Israel accepted his kingship. In a similar way, we get to pick our own leaders here and now, but God has picked the eternal king. We can decide if we will live in his kingdom. What do you need to entrust to the king? Some of us need to entrust our Sundays, our finances, a relationship, or our past. All of us need to trust him with our future. Today, entrust yourself, and all that you have, to the King. (24 Nov 2025) Going Deeper: Oriens starts next week. Join me for a pilgrimage through Advent and Christmas. Learn more at Over 14 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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Set Apart for the Worship of God | #1549
11/14/2025
Set Apart for the Worship of God | #1549
• The consecration or dedication of a church building sets it apart for the worship of God. Every Christian is consecrated to the Lord. We were Baptized and Confirmed and received Holy Communion. The church is holy so we can be holy. We should be no less holy than our local Catholic Church! Some of us are called to dedicate ourselves particularly to God. The men and women who join religious orders are "set apart" for the worship of God. They live here now as all will live in Heaven. When you come to the church, you should find Jesus. When you come to the priest, you should meet Jesus. When you come to any Christian, you should see Jesus there. Are we willing to give God only a little, and keep the rest for ourselves? We are called to give--dedicate, consecrate--every part of our lives to God. These beautiful buildings dedicated to the worship of God speak to us of our true dignity and vocation. (9 Nov 2025) Going Deeper: Do you celebrate your Baptism anniversary? Does your local church celebrate it's dedication anniversary? My churches' dedication days are as follows: SS. James & Stanislaus: October 11, 1920 SS. Mary & Hyacinth: March 3, 1935 St. Wenceslaus: October 25, 1953 St. John: September 1, 1957 Image © PilgrimPriest.us | Over 14 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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Funerals Have Much in Common with Baptisms | #1548
11/04/2025
Funerals Have Much in Common with Baptisms | #1548
• The dead are not so very far away. They have a message for you: "What you are, I once was. What I am, you will be." I want to start my homily by talking about funerals. Funerals and Baptisms have more in common than you might realize. We greet the body at the door, we sprinkle the casket with Holy Water, and we unfold a white pall over the casket. Jesus receives all of our concerns and burdens, and covers us in his own holiness. Finally, we are given a lit candle, the Light of Faith, to light our way to heaven. Our Baptism starts us on our journey to God's kingdom. We then spend the rest of our life preparing for our funeral. We are deeply connected with the spiritual world, but we are often unaware of this aspect of our existence. When the soul leaves the body, it sees it's own state. Souls that said "No" to God, and that was their final answer, begin immediately to experience hell. Souls that were free of all sin begin immediately to enjoy the happiness of heaven. And those that still had some attachment to sin enter a state of purification. Salvation isn't finished yet. On the last day, at his Second Coming, Jesus will return in glory with his angels. He will raise the dead and put Heaven and Earth together forever. It will all go quicker than we think. Are you preparing for your funeral? (2 Nov 2025) Going Deeper: Go walk in a cemetery, pray for the dead, and reflect on your own funeral. Join me for the final year of Oriens: A Pilgrimage Through Advent and Christmas learn more at Image: AdobeStock_677256140 | Over 14 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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Hastening to the Heavenly Jerusalem | #1547
11/03/2025
Hastening to the Heavenly Jerusalem | #1547
• What are we celebrating today? The Preface for All Saints explains: For for today, by your gift, we celebrate the festival of your city, the heavenly Jerusalem, our mother, where the great array of our brothers and sisters already gives you eternal praise. Towards her we eagerly hasten, as pilgrims advancing by faith, rejoicing in the glory bestowed upon those exalted members of your Church to whom you give us, in our frailty, both strength and good example. And so we glorify you with the multitude of saints and angels, as with one voice of praise, we acclaim... The word Saint is the French word for, "holy." I looked it up in Greek and I found three related words: Hagios means holy, set apart, different. Hagos: awe-inspiring, wonderful, amazing. Hagnos: clean, innocent, modest, perfect. Holiness is not fundamentally the fruit of our hard work. It is a gift from God: gazing at the face of God and being transformed by his love. In the Beatitudes, Jesus gives us a description of his own face. He is poor in spirit, he mourns the disconnection between us and God, he is meek, he hungers and thirsts for righteousness, he is merciful, clean of heart, and a peacemaker. Lastly, Jesus is persecuted. This is what we look like when we become holy in God's likeness. "God, help me to be what you created me to be." Holiness is not an escape from this world. It is living fully in the world according to the true destiny and purpose of this world. As pilgrims let us hasten towards our heavenly homeland to join the saints, receiving from them both strength and good example. (1 Nov 2025) Going Deeper: What deceased holy person, canonized or not, gives you both strength and good example? | Over 14 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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Persistent Prayer Changes the World | #1546
10/25/2025
Persistent Prayer Changes the World | #1546
Welcome to our Stewardship Commitment Sunday. When it comes to stewardship, I feel like the little old lady who is constantly badgering the judge. "Turn in your card!" When God doesn't answer our prayers, we need to step back and notice our underlying need. The Lord wants to grow deeper in a relationship with us. We are often not open to receive the gift of Jesus himself. The good times and the bad, the sickness and the health, can all be opportunities to grow closer to God. But we need to be persistent in prayer if we want to see growth happen. Our annual Stewardship Renewal is not fundamentally about Time, Talent and Treasure, but rather about growing closer to the Lord. "Lord, show me how you are inviting me to grow closer to you through my Time, Talent and Treasure commitments in 2026." Do you ever feel like you're not having an impact on the world? When you make changes to your own life, you also change the world. Thank you for changing the world today! (19 Oct 2025) Going Deeper: If you are a member of the Antigo Area Catholic Churches, please turn in your Stewardship Renewal card or . | Over 14 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 Healing That Flows From Obedience | #1545
10/15/2025
The Healing That Flows From Obedience | #1545
Naaman the Syrian is powerful, wealthy, and successful. But his strength and wealth are not enough to make him healthy. He encounters love and truth through his obedience to God's will, and experiences wholeness and communion. When we started our stewardship program, I thought everyone else needed to learn stewardship. The program is helping me learn to trust in God, be grateful, and be generous with God's gifts. Being obedient to God leads to healing. Even the sufferings, burdens, and challenges that we face are really gifts from God. (12 Oct 2025) Going Deeper: If you are a member at the Antigo Area Catholic Churches, please turn in your next weekend. Consider committing yourself to a daily Rosary. | Over 14 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 Devil's Secret Plot to Take Over the World | #1544
10/06/2025
The Devil's Secret Plot to Take Over the World | #1544
"I cry out to you, 'Violence!' but you do not intervene. Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord." Was the prophet Habakkuk looking over my shoulder as I watched the evening news? We come to Sunday Mass to get a new vision, a vision that is different from the evening news or your social feed. God appears not to intervene because he is more concerned about the state of your soul than about the state of the world. Let's consider an attitude adjustment. First, how do we look at the global and national news? Some people like to use the lens of "Spiritual Warfare." By this, they mean that the Devil has a secret plot to undermine the Church and take over the world, and we have to act now to stop him! But that's not how the Church sees the world. Our Father is still in control, and he is quietly working things out for our good. We spend a lot of energy on the big-picture things we have no control over. And we miss chances to change the world immediately around us. I'm an advocate of Stewardship because I believe that it can be an antidote to our consumer culture. It starts when we are grateful for God's gifts. Then we can be generous with the time, talents, and treasures that God has given us. The more we give, the more we will see ourselves as a gift. If I'm trusting in myself, my resources, and my smarts, then I only have a limited amount to work with. But even the smallest amount of faith gives us access to the infinite power of God. Faith enables us to act with power, love, and self-control. And when we have done great things by God's power, we can simply say, "I was just a faithful steward." (5 Oct 2025) Going Deeper: Take some time to re-evaluate your life. "Am I really living as a Steward?" Am I taking care of my little world, and trusting God with the big picture? AdobeStock_125406453 | Over 14 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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Winners and Losers | #1543
09/30/2025
Winners and Losers | #1543
I saw a lot of amazing things on my pilgrimage to Italy: medieval towns, Pope Leo, three Eucharistic miracles, the four major basilicas... but the most amazing thing was our Italian bus driver, Pino. I used to think that Italian driving was highly competitive. But I watched Pino and the other drivers cooperating with one another. Do we see the world through a lens of competition or cooperation? Many of our political leaders today see the world as winners and losers. Jesus has a message for us: The winners of today will be the losers of tomorrow, and the losers of today will be the winners of tomorrow. St. Francis of Assisi chose to be poor today and became wealthy in eternity. Emperor Nero tried to be the big winner, but St. Peter was victorious. St. Wenceslaus was a loser to sibling rivalry, but he was the big winner in the final analysis. Pope Leo invites everyone to . I just started a commitment to a daily Rosary, and I want to encourage you to do the same. The Rosary will help you be grateful and generous. (28 Sep 2025) Going Deeper: Consider a commitment to a daily Rosary. | Over 14 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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Snake! (Look at the Cross) | #1542
09/14/2025
Snake! (Look at the Cross) | #1542
• Anti-venom comes from animals who were poisoned but survived. Jesus drank the poison of our sins and it killed him. But he rose from the dead and now his body is the antidote to sin and death. Grumbling is a kind of poison. If left unchecked, it will kill our spirits. When you suffer, look at the cross. Know that Jesus suffers with you and he suffers for you. You can unite your sufferings to Jesus. It is a good habit to have a cross in every room in your house. (14 Sep 2025) Going Deeper: Hang up a crucifix in a prominent place in your home. Spend 15 minutes gazing at a crucifix and sharing your burdens with Jesus. Image © Benjamin Sember | Over 14 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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Discipleship Only Works When You Do This | #1541
09/14/2025
Discipleship Only Works When You Do This | #1541
We think we are free, but many of us are slaves. We are burdened by the needs and worries of the flesh. The book of Wisdom says, "For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns." In today's Gospel, Jesus seems to be adding more burdens: Hate your family, take up your cross, and renounce all your possessions. In reality, Jesus is not adding more burdens, but lifting burdens from us. He is setting captives free. Think of the times we worry about our family and friends. If Jesus is the most important person in our lives, all our other relationships will find their proper order and place. We all face suffering. But if we carry our crosses with him and for him, our burdens will be lighter. We all worry about our material possessions. But if we follow Jesus, he will make sure we have what we need. I find marriage to be a useful illustration of this "all-in" principle. Can a husband say to his wife, "I love you, but my mother is more important than you. My family, my friends, these are all more important."? I tell you, his marriage will not last long. A wife needs to be the first and most important woman in her husband's life. Then the other relationships will find their proper places. How many would want to be married to a spouse who says, "I will be with you when things are easy, fun, and comfortable, but I will be leaving as soon as things get hard?" Even in marriage we must take up our crosses daily. Lastly, the possessions of one become the possessions of both when you are married. Some people are trying to be married as a kind of side job. Marriage only works when both spouses are willing to go "all-in". In a similar way, many of us are trying to follow Jesus as if it were a side-job, something we do after we've done everything else. But it's only when we are willing to be "all-in" disciples of Jesus that everything else falls into place. (7 Sep 2025) Going Deeper: Join me for this year. Learn more at | Over 14 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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