The Emmaus Pastorate’s Podcast

Homily on 3-26-23

Do you want to be resurrected?  The obvious answer is yes, but sometimes we don't really act like it.  Jesus is certainly trying to resurrect us - right from the moment we're baptized!  But it's not something he imposes on us; we have to ask for and accept it.  How's your Lent going five weeks in?

Homily on 3-20-23

It wasn't flashy.  It wasn't miraculous.  It probably wasn't much fun.  But it was important.  It was obedience.  And it was God's mission.  St. Joseph isn't quoted at all in the scriptures, and we know very little about him.  Most of what we do know comes from his dreams!  But he has a lot to teach us despite his silence.  Happy Solemnity of St. Joseph from St. Joseph Parish in Elkader!

Homily on 3-19-23

Blind spots.  The blind man had them, but so did the Pharisees.  And so do we.  What are yours?

Homily on 3-12-23

Are you thirsty?  Jesus was, but the women at the well was more so.  She just didn't realize it until Jesus, a Galilean, struck up a conversation.  For what did she unknowingly thirst?  Jesus!  The Word of God!  In a word: salvation!  And we thirst for the same thing.  Go ask Jesus for some of that life saving water, and you might just be surprised with the hope that fills you!

Homily on 3-5-23

Be transfigured!  Be transformed!  Be a reflection!

Homily on 2-26-23

IF!  Small world...big consequences!  "IF you are the Son of Man, then...," said the devil.  IF we are Christians, then... we might just learn who the Son of Man is.  Take some time this week and think about that.  Who is this man?  And what does that have to do with me?

Homily on 2-19-23

"Be perfect as your Father is perfect," said Jesus.  Sounds easy doesn't it?!  And then St. Paul says, "Do you not know that you are temples of the Holy Spirit?"  Sometimes we might feel good and holy, perfect and temple-like.  Other times maybe not so much.  But every time we look in the mirror and every time we look at someone else, we see a holy person, a person made in the image and likeness of God, someone striving for perfection.  What do you see when you look across the aisle?  What looks back when you look in the mirror?

Homily on 2-12-23

Laws can be cut and dry.  True, they keep society safe and orderly.  But there is usually more to the law than what's on paper, the so-called "spirit" of the law.  And Jesus is all about that!  The Fifth Commandment instructs us not to kill others.  But Jesus takes that one step further, saying even wishing harm to another person - not death, just harm - is a sin!  It's the thought that counts, too, not just the action.  And as difficult as changing our thought patterns can be, our reward is something so great that "eye has not seen, nor ear has not heard" the wonders God has prepared for us!

Homily from 2-5-23

God doesn't want us to be good.  God wants us to WANT to be good!

Homily on 1-29-23

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven!  Despite how difficult it can be to see it, we are all blessings, we are all blessings to each other, and we are full of God's blessings.  As we begin a new year and approach the season of Lent, consider what blessings have been bestowed to you.  If you're feeling less than blessed, never fear.  Rejoice, and be glad!  Your reward will be great in heaven!