Homilies about money

A Missionary's Story: Water, Life, and Faith in Africa

Fr. Pascual Kumanda

The homily, delivered by a visiting missionary priest from the Congo, emphasizes perseverance in faith despite life's trials, drawing parallels with Jeremiah and Jesus' disciples. The priest shares a personal story of his mission in Malawi, highlighting the extreme difficulties faced by communities there, including lack of water and dangers for missionaries, and invites the congregation to support their mission to provide water and evangelize.

The Widow's Mite: Giving from Trust, Not Surplus

The homily reflects on the Gospel readings, first noting Jesus's 'judgment mode' even during his earthly ministry, particularly concerning the scribes who exploit widows. The main focus then shifts to the poor widow's offering, emphasizing that true generosity stems from a deep trust in God's providence, rather than merely calculating a specific amount to give. The priest encourages giving to the point of 'stretching' oneself, as an act of faith that allows God to demonstrate His care.

St. Norbert: From Wealthy Canon to Humble Reformer

This homily connects the day's Gospel reading about the widow's mite and Jesus' condemnation of the scribes to the life of St. Norbert. The priest highlights St. Norbert's conversion from a wealthy, influential canon to a humble priest who preached reform and founded a community dedicated to the ways of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of rejecting luxury and embracing presence to others.

Are You Playing Both Sides? The Danger of a Divided Heart

The homily uses the Old Testament story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal to illustrate the danger of having a divided heart. It challenges listeners to examine where they place their trust, beyond God, in things like financial security, property, or family, and to commit to giving God their whole heart, mind, and strength.

Father's Day Homily: Earthly Fathers Reflect God's Love & Our Call to Proclaim

This homily, delivered on Father's Day, emphasizes the role of earthly fathers as reflections of God the Father's love, protection, and guidance. It connects this divine love to the call for all parishioners to be true disciples and proclaim God's goodness. The homily then transitions into a detailed appeal for the parish's capital campaign, linking the financial contributions to the mission of proclaiming the Word through improved sound systems and a new retreat center.

The Eucharist: Becoming the Body of Christ and Building Our Church

The homily emphasizes the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, not as a symbol but as his actual body and blood, which transforms us into the Body of Christ to be sent out into the world. It then transitions into a lengthy appeal for the parish's 'Generation to Generation' capital campaign, connecting financial giving to the broader mission of the Church and the parish's specific needs.

Putting God First: Lessons from the Widow and Mary

The homily reflects on the Gospel reading of the poor widow's offering, emphasizing that Jesus doesn't necessarily want us to give up everything materially, but rather to prioritize God above all earthly possessions. It also draws a parallel to the Blessed Mother's 'yes' to God, highlighting the importance of putting God first in our lives.

Are You Wasting Your Life on Fairy Tales? What God Really Sees When You Give

The homily warns against getting lost in 'fairy tales' and distractions of the modern world, like excessive phone use and fleeting politics, which divert attention from eternal truths. It then shifts to the Gospel's widow's mite, emphasizing that God observes the heart and intention behind our giving, not just the material value.

Is the Church Building Faith or Just a Museum? A Priest's Reflection

The homily reflects on the Gospel reading about the scribes and the poor widow, turning the mirror on the priest himself and the Church's focus. It emphasizes that faith is not built by grand buildings or large donations, but by the spiritual strength and actions of the people, including the clergy. The priest admits his own shortcomings and calls for greater awareness and prudence in faith.

What Can't Be Taken Away: Building Your Life on God

The homily reflects on the impermanence of worldly security by drawing parallels between the Old Testament account of Jerusalem's destruction and a recent earthquake in Venezuela. It challenges listeners to examine what they are building their lives upon, emphasizing that only a soul belonging to God offers true, unshakeable security against life's inevitable crises.

Why the Church's Steadfastness Draws People Back to Faith

The homily emphasizes the Catholic Church's steadfastness in preserving Christ's core teachings despite societal pressures, which the priest attributes to a recent return of young people to the faith. It connects this to St. Paul's instruction to Timothy to stand firm in preaching the truth and Christ's condemnation of hypocrisy, ultimately calling for total trust in God's providence, exemplified by the poor widow's offering.

What the Widow's Mite Teaches Us About Giving Everything to God

The homily reflects on the Gospel of the Widow's Mite, emphasizing that all we truly possess are 'two small coins' in the grand scheme of life. It highlights that money cannot buy faith, forgiveness, or even our last breath. The priest connects this to the Eucharist, where Christ gave his whole divinity and humanity as his 'two coins,' inviting us to give everything to God in return, especially our sins.

The Difference Between an Offering and a True Sacrifice

The homily contrasts mere 'offering' with true 'sacrifice,' drawing on the Gospel story of the widow's mite. It emphasizes that a sacrifice involves giving something that truly costs us, rather than just surplus, and connects this to living out the Gospel in daily life, including contributions to the Church.

What Remains When Everything is Taken From You?

The homily connects the Old Testament account of the Babylonian exile, where the people of Judah lost their material wealth and elite, to the Gospel reading about building one's house on rock. It emphasizes that true faith is a living relationship with God, not just outward works or material possessions, and that this relationship is what remains when everything else is stripped away.

Are Money and Power Your False Gods? A Homily on Modern Idolatry and Discernment

The homily begins by explaining the first reading from the Book of Kings, where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal, emphasizing God's power and the call to reject false gods. It then connects this to the Gospel, highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of the law who frees us from the bondage of sin and the allure of modern idols like money and success. The homily transitions into an open discussion among attendees, where they share personal experiences and reflections on discerning truth, dealing with political idolatry, and applying commandments in contemporary issues like gay rights and war.

The One Law Jesus Came to Fulfill: Love God and Neighbor

Joseph Equir

The homily emphasizes that Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, with the core law being love for God and neighbor. It contrasts the worship of false gods, like money and power, with the worship of the one true God, who proved himself through Elijah's challenge. The priest urges listeners to align their thoughts, words, and actions with love and to recognize God in those in need.

The Widow's Radical Trust: A Challenge to Our Faith

The homily contrasts the hypocrisy of the scribes, who sought public recognition and failed to live God's word, with the radical trust and piety of the poor widow who gave her entire livelihood. It challenges listeners to reflect on which example they resonate with more, emphasizing the widow's profound faith in God's provision.

How Your Generosity Fuels Global Missions and Spreads Jesus' Presence

Father Lewis Giovani

The homily, delivered by a missionary priest, emphasizes the importance of prayer for missions, vocations, and peace, drawing a parallel to children praying for peace during World War I. It highlights the critical material needs of missions worldwide, using personal anecdotes from Russia to illustrate the challenges faced by missionaries and the impact of financial contributions.

¿Qué está ocupando el lugar de Dios en tu vida?

The homily emphasizes the importance of choosing God with an undivided heart, drawing from the story of Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal and Jesus' teaching on fulfilling the law. It encourages self-reflection on what might be taking God's place in one's life, such as work, money, or resentment, and calls for a decisive commitment to the Lord.

Fathers: Where is Your True Treasure?

Fr. John Jaddou

This homily, delivered on Father's Day, challenges the congregation, especially fathers, to prioritize spiritual wealth over material possessions. Drawing from the parable of the rich fool, the priest emphasizes that true treasure lies in God's kingdom and in investing time and spiritual guidance in one's children, rather than solely focusing on financial provision. He also highlights the powerful responsibility of a father's words and the importance of humility and apology.