Homilies about relationship

How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say

This homily emphasizes that prayer is a relationship with God, not a spiritual technology requiring specific words or methods. The priest encourages parishioners to pray frequently, acknowledging that the Holy Spirit aids our weaknesses and inspires both formal and informal prayer. He challenges listeners to identify their prayer weaknesses and ask the Holy Spirit for strength.

You Are Wonderfully Made: Discovering Your God-Given Purpose

The homily emphasizes that each person is a unique and unrepeatable instance of God's unfailing love, created with a specific purpose. Drawing on the example of St. John the Baptist, it stresses the importance of being rooted in a relationship with God to understand one's true identity as a beloved child of God and to fulfill the mission given at baptism to prepare the way of the Lord.

St. John the Baptist and the Call to Authentic Relationship with God

The homily focuses on the significance of St. John the Baptist as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing his role in pointing to Jesus and calling people to repentance. It highlights that authentic relationships, both with God and others, are crucial for spiritual growth and getting closer to heaven, urging listeners to identify and remove stumbling blocks in their lives.

Why God Doesn't Expect Perfection: Lessons from Hosea

The homily reflects on the prophet Hosea's message of God's constant invitation to healing and reconciliation, despite human infidelity. It emphasizes that our relationship with God is not about achieving 'A+' perfection but about sincere connection and acknowledging our sinfulness, trusting in God's unwavering faithfulness even amidst life's difficulties and temptations.

The Narrow Gate: What King Hezekiah and Jesus Teach Us About True Power

Father Eric Andrews

The homily connects the Old Testament reading of King Hezekiah's faith and the defeat of Sennacherib with Jesus' teaching on the narrow gate. It emphasizes that earthly power is fleeting and reminds us that true strength comes from a faithful relationship with God, urging listeners to always seek this 'narrow gate' of Christ's love and forgiveness.

You Are Wonderfully Made: Living Out the Gospel in Relationship with God

The homily connects the prophecies of Isaiah and John the Baptist to our current understanding of Jesus as a loving savior. It emphasizes that we are in a new stage where people worldwide are turning to Jesus, and that our individual lives, lived in relationship with God, are a continuation of the Gospel message, demonstrating how we are 'wonderfully made'.

Why Jesus Tells Us to 'Tell No One' After Healing

The homily reflects on the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people, drawing parallels to modern displacement and loss. It then delves into the Gospel account of Jesus healing a leper, focusing on the leper's faith and Jesus' instruction to 'tell no one,' prompting reflection on the deeper, often questioning, nature of prayer and relationship with God.

Why Doing Good Deeds Isn't Enough: The Importance of Relationship with God

Father Sean

The homily addresses the challenging Gospel passage where Jesus denies knowing those who performed mighty deeds in his name. The priest explains that merely doing actions for God is not enough; true discipleship requires a deep, personal relationship with God, allowing our actions to stem from and lead to a deeper love and understanding of His will.

Why Good Deeds Aren't Enough: The Danger of Religion Without Relationship

The homily emphasizes that true faith is not just about saying 'Lord, Lord' or performing mighty deeds, but about actively doing the will of God and having a deep relationship with Him. The priest warns against relying solely on external religious practices or the church's foundation without personal repentance and obedience, drawing a parallel to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem due to the people's sins.