Recordings of Sunday homilies, special liturgies, and other messages from the Emmaus Pastorate.
Episodes
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
When guests come over, usually our reaction is to offer a meat and cheese tray, maybe a vegetable platter, some fruit, and/or a drink or two. We provide some nourishment! That's all well and good, but there's more to being hospitable than dolling out some food and beverage. Hospitality is making room for others in our hearts, just ask Christ has made room for us in the City of God. In our self-centered culture, it's often hard to open space for others in our lives, and we're definitely not encouraged to do it. But the Gospel call us - ALL of us - to make some room!
Monday Jun 26, 2023
Monday Jun 19, 2023
Monday Jun 12, 2023
Monday Jun 12, 2023
By his divine authority, Christ renewed the sacrificial covenant between God and God's people at the Last Supper. By giving himself as the Lamb of God, he not only established the Sacrament of the Eucharist but also renewed the relationship between we mortals and God. By his authority - and by extension through all those ordained a priest - mere bread and wine transform into Christ's Most Holy Body and Blood. These days it's easy to question those in authority, especially with all the ranker, divisiveness, and corruption in the world, but we can take Jesus at his word. Let us all give a resounding "Amen" (meaning "I believe") when we come forward to share in the one loaf and one cup!
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
The mystery of the Trinity is almost impossible for humans to fully understand. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit, is not the Father. And yet they exist in so much harmony that they are, in fact, one being, one eternal God! This is the unity for which humanity is destined, but getting there isn't easy. The Trinity exists because of the love one person has for the other, and that love requires sacrifice. So called are we - to live lives of love by sacrificing our own needs and desires for those of other people. That's love, and that's how peace, tranquility, and unity come about! Happy 5th anniversary to the Emmaus Pastorate, five parishes striving for more perfect unity in our 450 square miles of Northeast Iowa!
Monday May 29, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
What's the difference between John's baptism with water and Jesus' baptism with the Holy Spirit? POWER! Although usually only priests and deacons baptize today, Jesus sends us all into the world to spread the Good News and make disciples. And it doesn't have to be glorious or heroic action. It can be done in everyday interactions and conversations!
Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." And later he said to Thomas, "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places." Jesus doesn't tell us the exact road map to get to heaven, but he does give us the direction and destination. We have so many gifts and talents to use on the way...that's our road map! But from who are you getting your destination and direction?!
Monday May 01, 2023
Monday May 01, 2023
I wanted to become a priest because of the witness of the priests and Sisters in my home parish, who themselves were shepherds—men and women who knew me and my family, who were familiar, trusted voices. They led me to a deeper faith and were examples of active lives of service. They were not perfect, nor were they sinless. But they were people in love with God and not afraid to lead, as best they could. And that brings me to the greatest challenge of all. Being a shepherd to one flock, one family, is challenge enough. Multiple flocks still need relationships, knowing and leading. True shepherding is hard to do online or with a program.
It’s about gathering. It’s not about only going to church, but being church; the human, messy, getting misunderstood, trying to be all-things-to-all-people kind of shepherding. And there is nothing else I would rather be or do or aspire to, than being a shepherd. And only Christ, the Good Shepherd empowers me to serve. Let us be profoundly grateful for the shepherds in our lives, and pray God will open more hearts and lives to shepherd for the Kingdom.
~Fr. John Haugen