Sunday Sermon, January 12th -- The Jubilee Year, Season of Grace

 2025 is an Ordinary Jubilee in the life of the Church. These only occur once every 25 years - and there are many graces poured down upon us as well as many indulgences available to us!

We consider the Old Testament history of the jubilee year (Leviticus 25) and also the history of Jubilee Years in the life of the Church (beginning with Boniface VIII in 1300).  We also give encouragement to enter into this Jubilee Year 2025 through a pilgrimage to Rome or to some holy site in the USA!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, January 5th -- The Last Gospel, Prologue of St John's Gospel

 The proper Mass for this Sunday is not Epiphany, but rather the Sunday after the Octave of Christmas (or Second Sunday of Christmas Season).  In the Novus Ordo, the Gospel for this Mass is the Prologue of the Gospel of St John (John 1:1-18). 

Without any doubt, this is the most important passage of Sacred Scripture - however, it unlikely that the typical American Catholic will ever hear this Gospel proclaimed at Mass.

We consider why this Gospel passage is so important, and comment on John 1:1-16 (the so called "Last Gospel" that was read daily at Mass before Vatican II).

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, December 29th -- The Virtue of Obedience

 In the finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple, we see the example of perfect obedience. Contrary to what some say, Jesus was in no way wrong or disobedient when he remained in the Temple for three days - rather he was perfectly obedient to his heavenly Father and to his earthly parents.

We consider the virtue of obedience, and how to practice this virtue in our daily lives. This is an important topic, and an important sermon!

Listen online [here]!

Christmas Sermon, December 25th -- The Gloria, A Christmas Hymn

 We consider the history of the Gloria of the Mass. First, we look to the opening words, which come from the Christmas Gospel - the joyous words of the angels to the shepherds. Then, we consider the history of the use of the Gloria in the Mass itself. Finally, we comment on the text of the Gloria itself.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, December 22nd -- Christ Offered Himself from the Womb

 We consider the mystery of the Visitation and the perfection of the Child Jesus even in the womb.

Jesus had perfect knowledge from the moment of his conception, and already is our high priest. Further, in the second reading for Mass this Sunday, we learn the first prayer of Christ, "When Christ came into the world he said... A body you have prepared for me." (Hebrews 10)  Jesus is a priest and already offers himself for our salvation, even in the womb of his mother!

Listen online [here]!