Homilies about self-denial
St. John the Baptist
Harrison, Ohio
Overcoming Fear: Why Self-Denial Leads to Deeper Trust in God
St. John the Baptist · Harrison, Ohio · Jun 21, 2026
Sunday MassThe homily begins with a personal anecdote about the priest's trip to Cleveland with his brothers, revisiting a childhood memory and overcoming their initial fear of a 'rough' neighborhood. This story serves as a springboard to discuss Jesus' encouragement to 'fear no one,' emphasizing that while some fears are legitimate, they should not prevent us from following Christ. The core message is about the necessity of self-denial and embracing our crosses, not as a source of fear, but as a path to deeper trust and confidence in God's love, which casts out fear.
Abbatial Church of St. Gregory
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
The Cost of Holiness: Lessons from Saints John Fisher and Thomas More
Abbatial Church of St. Gregory · Portsmouth, Rhode Island · Jun 22, 2026
Holy DayThe homily emphasizes that 'holiness costs,' drawing from Flannery O'Connor's writings and the lives of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More. It highlights that true discipleship requires self-denial and a steadfast commitment to the Church as a divine institution, even to the point of martyrdom, as exemplified by the saints being celebrated.
St. Norbert
Paoli, Pennsylvania
Choosing the Narrow Gate: The Path to True Freedom
St. Norbert · Paoli, Pennsylvania · Jun 23, 2026
Daily MassThe homily focuses on Jesus' teaching about the narrow gate and the wide road, contrasting the world's easy path of self-indulgence with the challenging but life-giving path of daily holiness. It emphasizes that the narrow gate requires humility, self-denial, and radical choices that go against our fallen nature, leading to a deeper relationship with God.