Sunday Sermon, July 26 -- You Are the Treasure in the Field

 [introductory note on Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament, and Solomon's prayer from the first reading in which he asked for wisdom]

We conclude Matthew 13 and this section of parables, hearing today the parables of the buried treasure, of the pearl of great price, and of the net which caught all sorts of fish.

These parables inspire us to seek the kingdom of God before all else.  On the other hand, your soul is the treasure and the pearl which our Lord purchased with his own blood.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, July 19 - Parables of the Increase of the Kingdom

 In this portion of Matthew 13, we continue to hear many of our Lord's parables. We consider some of the profound interpretations given by the Church Fathers. The Parable of the Mustard Seed, that of the Yeast and the Dough, and the parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat.

We especially consider the patience and confidence that we must have, for the grace of Christ has triumphed and will triumph over all the earth and within our souls.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, July 12 -- The Purpose of Parables

 In this sermon, we consider why our Lord spoke in parables. And, we also reflect upon the fact that the parables (and all great literature) cannon be boiled down to a simple moral - the meaning is the whole story. As when people asked Flannery O'Connor what her stories meant, she replied, "If I could have said it more clearly, I would have!"

So Our Lord cab assure us that if there were a way we could have understood more clearly, he would have used that means. But the parables are suited to our lowliness and ignorance, and they pierce the hardness of our hearts to bring us to conversion.

Also, the parables require us to look to the apostles and the bishops of the Church for the proper interpretation - in this way, the hierarchy of the Church is intended.

Listen online [here]!

Comments on the SSPX Excommunications (July 2026)

Following upon the illicit ordinations/consecration of four bishops, the Vatican has issued a stern reprimand and excommunication not only for the four new bishops and the bishop(s) involved, but also warnings of excommunication for the priests of the SSPX (likely incurred) and also even for the lay people that attend the SSPX (danger of incurring).

We explain and defend the Vaticans position.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, July 5 -- Humility is the Yoke and Burden that Lightens

 We discuss Matthew chapter 11, and give context for the Sunday Gospel and the exhortation to humility.

Listen online [here]!