The PadreCast - Faithful Catholic Homilies

Today I must stay at your house. | PadreCast Thirty-First Sunday, Ordinary Time

Here's the Son of God, doing His Father's will; going through many towns and preaching in many places. It is His intention to pass through Jericho and find another place to stay. And yet, at the end of the Gospel, Jesus talks about coming to this house and staying here. "Salvation has come to this house!" It has remained here now.

Well, what happened? What changed Jesus' mind between His intention to pass through, and then His intention to stay?

That's the real focus of the text.... What changed the Lord's mind? It's a very simple thing.

Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Him.

Wis 11:22-12:2,  Ps 145: 1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14,  2Thes 1:11-2:2,  Lk 19:1-10

We have all of the time and all of the grace we need to turn from sin. | PadreCast Commemoration of All the Departed Souls

Today we pray for the poor souls suffering in purgatory, first and foremost because they can't pray for themselves. It's one of the crosses that they have to bear while waiting to get to heaven - they cannot intercede for themselves, they cannot do any good deed, or offer some prayer to help speed up their time in purgatory. There's a good reason for this. The Lord gave the Church Militant, those of us here on earth, all of the time, and all of the grace we need to turn from sin and be faithful to Him.

Wis 3:1-9,  Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5-6,  Rom 6:3-9, Jn 6:37-40

Take some time to meditate upon your impending doom. | PadreCast Solemnity of All Saints

It's not easy to be a saint for one simple reason: it's not easy to want to be a saint.... The saints themselves tell us, you receive grace according to the degree of your desire. It's very simple. You will become as holy as you want to be because God will provide any grace that you so desire. How do we stir into flame that desire for holiness in our hearts? It's not easy.... It's best to be ready for the end of all things, whenever that may come.

Rv 7:2-4, 9-14,  Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6,  1Jn 3:1-3,  Mt 5:1-12a

Humility, humility, humility. | PadreCast Thirtieth Sunday, Ordinary Time

A good way to look at humility is as voluntary poverty.... The one who will be exalted is the one who humbles himself.

 

Poverty, in a scriptural sense, is a kind of emptying of oneself. Choosing to be little, to be less, to be small.

 

If we don't think voluntary poverty is good, we will not seek it. If we do not admire it in our Savior, we will never attain it for ourselves.

 

Sir 35:12-14, 16-18, Ps 34: 2-3, 17-18, 19, 23, 2Tm 4:6-8, 16-18, Lk 8:9-14

When God's will for us is a grind, we're doing it wrong. | PadreCast Twenty-Ninth Sunday, Ordinary Time

But I started focusing on the work that needed to get done rather than on the Lord Who asked me to do it. ...

It's a very common thought: "I just need to get this done." Yes, that's true, but that's always the wrong attitude. It should be: "I need to get this done for the Lord."

After awhile, that little mistake begins to grow. And without even recognizing it, what happens is we become burdened by our very vocation! We want to get away from it.

 

Ex 17:8-13, Ps 121: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 2Tm 3:14-4:2, Lk 18:1-8

It is there that we continue to experience miracles - Fr Matthew Buettner | PadreCast Twenty-Eighth Sunday, Ordinary Time

But we fail to see that the Divine Law-giver, Who not only made the laws, is the very same One Who governs them. Who executes them, Who sustains these activities even at this moment.

 

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Fr Buettner, former Pastor of St Dorothy's, now Spiritual Director at St Joseph's College Seminary, visits and reflects on his time with the people of St Dorothy's, his brother Mark's battle with pancreatic cancer, healing, miracles, and the fruits of confession.

 

2Kgs 5:14-17, Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 2Tm 2:8-13, Lk 17:11-19

 

Please pray for Mark Buettner through the intercession of Venerable Fulton J Sheen:

Eternal Father, You alone grant us every blessing in Heaven and on earth, through the redemptive mission of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and by the working of the Holy Spirit. If it be according to Your Will, glorify Your servant, Fulton J Sheen, by granting the favor I now request through his prayerful intercession - for the complete, miraculous physical and spiritual healing of Mark Buettner. I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us!

 

Please prayerfully consider adding your support to the St Joseph College Seminary's Capital Campaign for the completion of the Seminary building.

 

 

 

Why are Catholic Priests called to be celibate men? | PadreCast Twenty-Seventh Sunday, Ordinary Time

The teaching of clerical celibacy is from Christ Himself. The celibacy of His priests started with Jesus, and in fact finds its roots in Judaism, in the Old Testament. So don't listen to anyone who would tell you that this is an innovation in the Church. The Fathers of the Church, in discussing and trying to understand this teaching that comes to us from Christ, give three reasons why they believe Jesus wanted His priests to be celibate.

The first is Christological - having to do with Christ Himself. The second is ecclesiological, meaning having to do with the Church. And the third is eschatological, having to do with the end of time, meaning Heaven.

 

Hab 1:2-3, 2:2-4, Ps 95:1-2, 6-7. 8-9, 2Tm 1:6-8, 13-14, Lk 17:5-10

If we can't praise well, we cannot feast well. - Fr Matthew Kauth | PadreCast Twenty-Sixth Sunday, Ordinary Time

What the Gospel is attempting to manifest is that each one of you is the sick man at the gate.

Some of you, God gives you a little something to relieve the suffering of the person who's next to you. If you withhold that, whether it's money, food, a smile, kindness... He's going to withhold it from you. It all flows right down from the Father, through the Son, so that everyone can get home. And you know someone who is at the gate, and doesn't think they have anything to celebrate, that this world is all there is. You have to bring them. And help them to know their Father, and to be able to rejoice finally that he has given us everything.

 

Am 6:1a, 4-7, Ps 146: 7, 8-9, 9-10, 1Tm 6:11-16, Lk 16:19-31

You have set a limit on Love | PadreCast Twenty-Fifth Sunday, Ordinary Time

We have to look a little deeper at our intentions and our choices. Am I a calculating person in regards to my relationships? When your calculations are used in your relationships, you've taken it too far. ...How much do I give you? And I'm not just talking about money. Time. Energy. Forgiveness. That's a calculation. And you have set a limit on love. On virtue, on compassion, understanding. ...

If we are truly servants of God, we put no value on people. No value whatsoever. There is no price. They are of infinite value. It's incalculable. Why?

Because that's the very nature of our God. God is limitless. He's infinite goodness, and love, and knowledge, and compassion, and power. He's infinite. You can't calculate it. And if He creates us in His image and likeness, then we share in that incalculable worth.

Money is calculable. It has a specific worth. When we start treating people like money, we love mammon.

 

Am 8:4-7, Ps 113: 1-2, 4-6, 7-8, 1Tim 2:1-8, Lk 16:1-13

What are the rules for? | PadreCast Twenty-Fourth Sunday, Ordinary Time

Jesus is explaining to us that this is how God the Father loves us because this is how Jesus loves us. In the exact same way, with meekness and compassion. Still pointing out sins and the need for repentance for those who don't follow God's rules. ... The father only cares about one thing, and he tells us this when he goes out to see his older son. After that son shares why he's upset — "Here you are throwing a party after my younger brother wasted your inheritance" — this beautiful line from the father: "My son, you are here with me always." That's it. That's what the father wants. He wants his children to be with him, which is why he's willing to die to himself for his younger son, and plead with his older son. ... He's willing to suffer anything, even His own humiliation so you could come home and be with Him.

 

Ex 32:7-11, 13-14, Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19, 1Tm 1:12-17, Lk 15:1-32

Can you hear Me now? | PadreCast Twenty-Third Sunday, Ordinary Time

If we're ignorant about the things of earth, how on earth can we understand the things of heaven? This shows us the necessity of humility. I have to accept that I do not understand spiritual things, I do not understand the mind of the Lord.

 

That's why humility is so important in regards to even just intellectual religious matters. We have to approach our faith from that stand-point of humility.

 

...You can't listen to Me, says the Lord, if I'm not the most important thing in your life, you're not willing to suffer for Me, and you can't renounce all your possessions for Me. That's a profound statement. You cannot hear Me, He's telling us. You cannot hear Me unless I am absolutely first in your life.

 

Wis 9:13-18b, Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17, Phmn 9-10, 12-17, Lk 14:25-33

Humiliation. Embrace it. | PadreCast Twenty-Second Sunday, Ordinary Time

.... as I tripped, I was in such shock that I didn't even catch myself. I fell, flat on my face on the floor. In front of the whole school.

Now, this may sound like the scene from a movie, but this is true. This really happened to me.

 

Fr Miller lives out everyone's worst high school nightmare. Find out how he handles it.

 

Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29, Ps 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11, Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a, Lk 14:1, 7-14

It doesn't matter "How many are going to be saved." The question is: Are YOU going to be saved? | PadreCast Twenty-First Sunday, Ordinary Time

That is the narrow gate. That is what you and I must aim for. ... In His mercy (God) may be able to save us if we fail to meet His requirements. But if we're not even striving for this absolute height of sanctity and holiness that Jesus shows us, then we're going to miss the target altogether.

 

So when the Master shuts the door and locks it, you will be found outside. And our Lord will say these terrifying words to you: "I don't not know where you are from. Depart from me evil doers."

 

Is 66:18-21, Ps 117:1, 2, Heb 12:5-7, 11-13, Lk 13:22-30

Don't be afraid to sacrifice everything, and everyone, and even your very lives for Christ | PadreCast: Twentieth Sunday Ordinary Time

The key is the whole phrase: He did not come to bring peace on earth. Christ's kingdom as He Himself has said, is "not of this world." Peace reigns in His kingdom, that is, heaven. Not here. And people that are willing to do anything to maintain peace in this world oftentimes go quickly to hell, because they seek peace at any cost. Even the cost of truth, goodness, beauty. ...

This is the most basic mistake all of us make in trying to discern the right thing. We make decisions based on hypotheticals. You don't know the future. All you can know is what your actions mean.

God can do greater things in you than you could ever do alone | PadreCast: The Feast of the Assumption

I want you to consider for a moment this gift of the Assumption, where the Lord takes Mary body and soul into heaven. There is no way the Blessed Mother on her own power could have ascended into heaven. She's just a woman, it doesn't matter how holy she is. No one has that power, except God alone. ...

Because of her pure and holy "yes," God did these amazing things in her life. Even at the end of her life assuming her into heaven body and soul. God did these great things in her. ...

Yes, her fidelity to Him was great, greater than all the angels and saints put together. And ours will never be like that. But the point isn't that we'll never live up to Mary's holiness, the point is: God doesn't need you to. God can do greater things in you than you could ever do alone. That's what He did in her.

 

Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab, Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16, 1Cor 15:20-27, Lk 1:39-56

That's the test: In what do I put my faith? | PadreCast: Nineteenth Sunday Ordinary Time

In faith, we are called to believe. To believe so completely, that it effects the way we live our lives. That's exactly what Jesus is talking about in the Gospel today. Saying, "If you believe Me, if you have faith in Me, then you'll do what I've commanded you. You'll follow my teachings, the Sacraments, the life of grace that I've given you. The way of life that I've taught you ... and you'll be ready for me when I come. Because I'm coming. Just like in Egypt however many thousands of years ago, I am coming to judge the earth. And I won't just kill the firstborn this time. Everyone will be judged."

 

Wis 18:6-9, Ps 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22, Heb 11:1-2, 8-19, Lk 12:32-48

(Father reads Ex 12:1-14 in the homily)

 

Act of Spiritual Communion

Everything in this life that you do under the sun is vain. What does that mean? | PadreCast: Eighteenth Sunday Ordinary Time

I may be concerned with having enough food to eat - and that's a serious concern. But God cares more about the spiritual food of the Eucharist that nourishes my soul. And if that's not more important to me than bread on the table, then I'm wrong. I'm wrong. Because I could starve to death without physical food and still go to Heaven when I die because of the Eucharist. And then, who cares what happens to my body? I'll get it back again in glory. ...

It's not that these physical or external things don't matter. Clearly they matter. But they're not nearly as important as what matters to God, and that's the state of our souls. ...

What we're called to is beyond the sun. It's not created. It's heavenly. ...

Be converted in mind to the truths that have been revealed to you through the Gospel, then you will act in virtue and be saved. That's the whole point. It's conversion of mind. It is truly believing everything that Jesus did and taught and being transformed by that faith.

Ecc 1:2; 2:21-23, Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17, Col 3:1-5, 9-11, Lk 12:13-21

All I have to do is be persistent | PadreCast: Seventeenth Sunday Ordinary Time

All I have to do is be persistent, faithfully each day, each week, calling out to God for those intentions that weight heavily on my heart. And the Lord promises, He promises those prayers will be answered.

The number one reason why our prayers are not answered is not because we're not the friends of God, it's because we give up too soon.

When the Lord says be persistent, He doesn't give us a time frame.

 

Gn 18:20-32, Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8, Col 2:12-14, Lk 11:1-13

__________________________

There's something I want to present to you as your Pastor: I want you to pray about and to consider trying to increase the hours of adoration we have here at St Dorothy's.... maybe building up to a full perpetual Adoration chapel.

There are greater graces in prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament than anywhere else.

 

Listen to this week's PadreCast to hear what those abundant graces are.

 

Who did the greater deed? | PadreCast: Sixteenth Sunday Ordinary Time

Who did the greater deed? Clearly, Jesus’ gift to everyone in that house was far greater than Martha’s gift to everyone in that house. She was only caring for their bodily needs. He was caring for their spiritual need. We know that the soul is far more important than the body. Now, that doesn’t negate her good deed. I’m sure the Lord blesses her for it. But He also reprimands her, because she does not realize what has taken place.

And her sister Mary does.

How often do we really think about the invisible world? | PadreCast: Fifteenth Sunday Ordinary Time

These spirits are invisible persons that interact with us and the entire universe in which we live. It’s important to know these things - on many levels. These invisible powers are always working in the world. For good and ill.

If we’re not aware of it, we can be manipulated by it. Yes, we come to Mass, yes we say our prayers, but how often do we really think about the invisible world in which we live? …

We should never be ashamed of our belief in the invisible, whether that’s God, or heaven and hell, or angels and demons.