On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we consider the Nicene Creed which was composed primarily to defend the dogma of the Trinity. This is especially appropriate this year, the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
After discussing some of the history of the Council of Nicaea and of the development of the Nicene Creed, we look to some of the dogmas presented in the Creed.
Listen online [here]!
On the feast of Pentecost, we receive the Holy Spirit anew into our hearts. We consider the Old Testament roots of the feast of Pentecost both as an agricultural feast and (in later Judaism) as a feast of the Ten Commandments.
The tradition of the Church connects Pentecost with these ancient roots through the Ember Days and the historic Gospel (read in year C) focused on the commandments of Christ.
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Christ brings peace to the world - a world which offers only false peace. The false peace of the world is the concord of wicked men or the use of force to destroy all opposition. The peace of Christ is built upon the interior peace which is established in the heart of believers and then extends into the whole world.
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Sacred art can be a great means of entering more deeply into mental prayer. In this sermon, we develop a theology of beauty and consider how praying with sacred music and sacred paintings and statues assists us in meditation. We also consider the example of Blessed Fra Angelico, and a set of new reproductions recently purchased for the parish!
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The sheep hear the voice of the shepherd when he calls them by name. We recognize the voice of Christ through attentive devotion to the Scriptures, reverent obedience to the teachings of the Church, keeping his commandments, and daily prayer.
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We conclude our course with an overview of the popes of the last 150 years, highlighting some of the interesting but often little known details about these recent popes. We also look at some of the statistics of the oldest popes and longest reigning popes, etc.
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After looking at the upcoming papal conclave and making comparisons to other recent conclaves, we turn to the Popes of the Reformation and Counter Reformation Period.
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We continue our course on the History of the Popes, now looking to the popes during and immediately after the Western Schism. In this class, we watched a couple videos: on how a papal election works (following the recent death of Pope Francis); and two on the history of the Western Schism.
How a papal conclave works [here]!
On the history of the Western Schism [here]! This video is not perfect and does have some anti-medieval bias, but gives a quick overview.
On the theological problems present at the end of the Western Schism [here]!
Listen to the lecture online [here]!
This week, we give two sermons: One on St Philip the Apostle, and a second on The Gospel Account of the Apparition of the Lord at the Sea of Tiberius.
On St Philip the Apostle, as part of our series on the Apostles. The whole series is found [here].
Listen online [here]!
On the account of the Lord's Apparition at the Sea of Tiberius.
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(Pre-sermon note on Divine Mercy Sunday and the graces which the Lord is pour forth upon the world on this day!)
Sermon on St Thomas the Apostle, continuing our series of preaching on the Apostles. Find the whole series [here].
Listen online [here].
There was great sorrow in the Church over the Triduum when the tabernacle was open and empty, and the light extinguished. But so much joy fills our hearts as Jesus is risen on Easter Sunday!
We consider the significance of the Paschal Candle, and also the grand miracle which is the whole of Christian belief. Christianity is the one religion which cannot be separated from miracles - it is a faith founded on one great miracle.
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In this sermon, we look at the hymns and chants of the Triduum: Ubi Caritas et Amor; The Reproaches; Crux Fidelis; Pange Lingua.
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Entering into Holy Week by reflecting on the daily events of the last week of Jesus' life. We consider various points of meditation that should be fruitful for personal reflection.
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The story of the woman (NOT Mary Magdalen) caught in adultery. Jesus writes mysteriously upon the ground, who had once wrote the 10 Commandments. As the divine lawgiver, he also offers mercy and forgiveness to sinners.
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The parable of the Prodigal Son and the story of the woman caught in adultery are key passages for the season of Lent. Traditionally, these fell on weekdays, but they were moved to Sundays after the Second Vatican Council.
We look to the Old Testament parallels given in the tradition for these readings - the story of Jacob and Esau, and also the story of Susanna.
Listen online [here]!
In this sermon, we discuss the event of the revelation of God to Moses in the burning bush. We especially focus on the divine Name and what YWHW signifies. We include a short discussion of the Hebrew language and alphabet.
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We promote an excellent book on the life of Christ, "The Lord" by Fr Romano Guardini, a German priest from the mid 1900s. This is one of the the best books on the life of Jesus in the last couple hundred years.
In particular, this sermon is based on the chapters related to the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Listen online [here]!
The First Sunday of Lent is characterized by Psalm 90 (91), Qui habitat, which contains the lines related to the angels lifting up those who are faithful to the Lord.
In addition to using this psalm extensively for the extremely long Tract (which takes about 13 minutes to sing in the proper tones), all the antiphons of the Mass and also the gradual come from this psalm. Furthermore, this psalm is quoted in the Gospel (by the devil).
Listen online [here]!
We conclude our series on the Mass with discussion of the Consecration and how the Church treats the Host with highest reverence after the Consecration - because the Host is truly Jesus. We also consider Holy Communion and the thanksgiving after Mass.
Listen online [here]!
Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, but there is Mass at 7am (ending at 7:45am), and 5:30pm (incense).
Ash Wednesday is a day of mandatory abstinence from meat (ages 14 and up) and fasting of one meal and two small snacks (ages 18 to 60).
During Lent, confessions are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 4:30-7pm (with a break on Fridays at 5:30pm for Stations) and Saturdays 4:30-5:30pm.
Stations of the Cross are Fridays at 5:30pm.
We discuss the Popes from the great St Gregory VII through just before the Western Schism (Urban IV). From 1073 to 1389. We then consider a bit of the history of the College of Cardinals and Papal Conclaves, and especially the current rules of how a new Pope is elected.
We discuss the Popes from Charlemagne and the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire (Pope Leo III) to just after the year 1000 (Pope Benedict IX). This class discusses by far the most exciting and scandalous time in the history of the papacy!
We consider the movement from the Creed to the Offertory, and especially how this is a moment of great opportunity to enter more deeply into the Mass. Reflecting on the Preface and the Sanctus, we take a moment also to consider music at Mass and the importance of chanting the parts of the Mass.
Listen online [here]!
In this second of four sermons on the Mass, we consider the Liturgy of the Word and espeicially the spiritual and mystical significance of the Gospel. We note that the Creed is the hinge of the Mass, between the Mass of the Catechumens and the Mass of the Faithful - the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
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As it has been 10 years since we last preached a series on the Mass (February 2015), we will preach a four part series on the Mass. Focusing on practical advise for gaining the greatest spiritual benefit from attending Mass, we will only give brief consideration to the history of the Mass and the rubrics of how Mass is meant to be celebrated - focusing rather on spiritual reflections related to the various parts of the Mass.
In our first homily on the Mass, we consider the reverence appropriate for Mass and the Opening Rites of the Mass.
Listen online [here]!
We discuss the Popes from Constantine (Pope Sylvester) through until before the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire under Charlemagne (Pope Leo III) -- From 314 till 800.
We continue our study of the Popes throughout the history of the Church. We look to the Popes from St Peter through Emperor Constantine's conversion and Pope Sylvester.
In this course, we will consider the Popes throughout the history of the Church. Over around eight classes, we will consider the good popes, the bad popes, and also the anti-pope imposters. We will also have the occasion to discuss some of theology of the papacy and also many of the details regarding how papal elections (conclaves) work today!
Session 1 -- Introduction to the Papacy, Papal Elections, the First Popes
We have the great joy of celebrating the Feast of Mary's Purification (also, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and Candlemas) on Sunday! In this sermon, we discuss the way in which both Jesus and Mary fulfill the Old Testament - our Lord submits to the Law even though he does not need to be redeemed by the offering of the Law, and Mary submits to the Purification Rites even though she needs no purification after the miraculous birth of Jesus.
We also consider the Nunc Dimittis prayer of Simeon, the third of the Gospel Canticles (the other two are the Benedictus of Zechariah, and the Magnificat of Our Lady). These Canticles have a special place in the Liturgy of the Church, in The Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours. Simeon's Canticle is sung in Compline or Night Prayer.
Listen online [here]!
We discuss the inspiration of the Bible, and especially how the Holy Spirit works in and through the human authors of the Bible while still respecting their individual personalities and freedom.
We also discuss what makes a book to be part of Sacred Scripture.
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Commentary on the miraculous changing of water into wine at the Wedding Feast of Cana from the second chapter of the Gospel of John.
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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]!
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]!
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]!
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.
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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!
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"Do not be anxious over anything; but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make your requests known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)
Following a sermon of St John Chrysostom and also the advice of St Francis de Sales, we consider how to overcome anxiety.
Listen online [here]!