The Emmaus Pastorate’s Podcast

Homily from 1-22-23

Cataracts.  They're aren't fun, finding them isn't the most pleasant experience, and they can cause us vision troubles.  Our eyes can certainly suffer from cataracts, but our hearts can too.  Spiritual cataracts are the impediments that blind us to God's kingdom here and now.  They're what keep us from recognizing Jesus in others, from loving for our neighbor, and from ignoring God's call in our lives.  Take a minute.  What spiritual cataracts do you suffer?

Homily on 1-15-23

Welcome back to Ordinary Time!  Ordinary Time is that large part of the year that isn't Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter.  It's where we spend most of our lives.  But that doesn't mean it's ordinary!  It's an excellent time to live extraordinarily, just as Christ calls us!  The Gospels demand a response, and the new year, the new season is a great time to answer!

Homily from 1-8-23

Epiphany is about more than just three men riding camels from somewhere in the East to the little town of Bethlehem.  They made that long journey because of a revelation, God's revelation to them.  They were not Jewish.  They weren't of God's Chosen People.  They were Gentiles, those "others."  And yet God revealed to them good news of great joy!  And God reveals that same news to us even today.  How are you revealing God's presence this week?

Homily from 1-1-23

We are all brothers and sisters - whether we like it or not.  So how can we be a blessing to each other in the 2023?

Homily on 12-25-22

What's Jesus giving you this year?  Why?  Better yet, what are you giving him in the New Year?  From the staff of the Emmaus Pastorate, merry Christmas to you and yours!

Homily on 12-18-22

Hope.  St. Joseph had no clue what God had in store for him.  A betrothed wife pregnant by someone other than him.  An angel telling him tall tales.  And the Son of God promised to be born.  And yet he had hope.  Joseph had trust and faith in the promises of God.  And in silent acceptance, he became the foster father of Jesus!  What can you do with hope?

Homily from 12-11-22

Are you hopeful?  Better yet: To whom are you providing hope?  What is hope even?  Hope is restoring the broken and downtrodden.  So how are you spreading hope this Advent?

Homily on 12-4-22

Stump.  Let us be a stump.  For from the stump of Jesse came our savior!  Stumps aren't pretty when they start, and they need lots of tender, loving care for the plant to grow or transform.  This Advent, let's be stumps and allow Christ to transform us into something beautiful!

Homily on 11-27-22

Hope.  Advent is all about hope.  But hope it's aimless.  It has specificity.  The gospel message gives us hope, and with it we are called to respond.  What's your response to God's hope?

Homily on 11-20-22

As we look to the new (liturgical or church) year, it's a good idea to reflect on the past year.  What's been the priority in my life?  Who or what has had rule over me, my time, and my attention?  As we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, let's ask ourselves: Is Jesus the King of my life?