The Emmaus Pastorate’s Podcast

Homily from 9-28-24

Homily on 9-22-24

Great vs. Greatest?  Who's the greatest, Jesus?  Well the disciples were too ashamed to actually asked him the question, but they were thinking it!  And, honestly, we think it sometimes too (maybe more often that we'd care to admit).  But trying to rank ourselves against each other doesn't exactly sew seeds of peace.  St. James reminds us that "the the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace."  So if you want tranquility, greatness, unity, or peace, sew some peace!

Homily & Music from the 175th Anniversary of St. Joseph Parish - 9/15/24

"Who do you say that I am?"  Jesus asked his disciples that question, and they had some legitimate answers.  But then Jesus asks them personally, individually: Who do YOU say that I am?  Catholics in Elkader, Iowa have been asking themselves that for 175 years this fall.  From the earliest beginnings in the 1840s and the establishment of the parish to the building of two rock churches, from the construction and deconstruction of schools to the many outreach ministries present today, the Catholic Church in Elkader has seen good times and bad.  Throughout its storied history though, and in a myriad of ways, St. Joseph has demonstrated who Jesus is: the center of our community.  Happy 175th anniversary to St. Joseph Parish!  Ad multos annos! 

Also included in today's episode is the St. Joseph Choir singing Jubilee Song, a piece written by St. Joseph's former pastor, Rev. Paul Peters, on the occasion of the Year 2000.  Becky Gundacker is featured playing the organ.  Ending today's episode is the Choir singing Is He Worthy? by Andrew Peterson and Ben Shive, arranged by Heather Sorenson.  It features soloist John Uhal.  Both pieces are accompanied by Kristin Fitzgerald and conducted by John Uhal.

Homily on 9-8-24

Do you listen?  Better yet: How do you listen?  Let us have ears for listening before mouths for speaking!

Do It Out of Love - Homily from 9-1-24

Journalist: "Mother (Theresa), I wouldn't do what you do for a million dollars!"  

Mother: "Neither would I.  But I'll do it out of love for Jesus!"

Fr. Joe Miller, SVD, a Divine Word Missionary currently stationed in California, brings us the message of an ecumenical nonprofit organization called Food for the Poor who helps build homes, find employment, and feed the needy around the world.  If you have room in your charitable giving this year, a donation to Food for the Poor would be deeply appreciated!  Donations can be brought to either Emmaus Pastorate office; our contact information is on our website: www.vibrantcatholic.com.  Donations can also be made directly online at www.foodforthepoor.org.

We also thank Fr. Miller for visiting our parishes and celebrating Mass with us.  He has retired after many years working in the Mission Office of the Divine Word Missionaries here in the United States.  

Homily from 8-25-24

"These sayings are hard!" they said.  True, they might be, but hopefully they're a welcome comfort instead.  Christ so deeply wanted to serve us that he gave us his very body and blood, his soul and divinity, everything he had (literally).  He did that for us on the cross, and as a result, we have the Eucharist, a gateway for participating in his heavenly kingdom.  If Christ desired to serve us that much, might we desire to serve others just as much?  There are plenty of things to serve these days, plenty of ways to direct our attention, time, and money.  But are those truly worthwhile in the end?  Probably not.  So "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!"

Homily from 8-18-24 (Corrected)

We apologize for the technical difficulties with this week's episode!  The incorrect audio file originally posted and didn't feature Fr. John's homily from August 18, 2024.  Here is the corrected audio for your prayer and contemplation!

Is the Eucharist a person?  Or is the Eucharist a thing?  The answer makes a HUGE difference in how we perceive Jesus and the Body and Blood of Christ!  Hopefully we see the Eucharist as a person, a person we receive at Communion.  But then what good is it if we don't become what we eat?  Get to church.  Get to Communion.  Get Jesus.  And get eternal life!

Homily on 8-18-24

Is the Eucharist a person?  Or is the Eucharist a thing?  The answer makes a HUGE difference in how we perceive Jesus and the Body and Blood of Christ!  Hopefully we see the Eucharist as a person, a person we receive at Communion.  But then what good is it if we don't become what we eat?  Get to church.  Get to Communion.  Get Jesus.  And get eternal life!

Homily from 8-11-24

Contract or covenant?  Each indicate a type of relationship.  Contracts are usually over things, stuff that we own or agree to share.  But covenants aren't about things and material possessions.  Covenants - the relationship God wants with us - are about people.  We live in an everlasting covenant with God, and the unique thing about that relationship is that it isn't just about us as individuals and God, it's not just a vertical relationship.  It's also about our relationship with other people, it's also horizontal!  How we come to church and receive the Eucharist - the sign of this covenant - should be reflected in the way we live our everyday lives.  Indeed, there can be no Eucharist in a community whose members do not love one another.  So, do you become what you receive?

Homily on 8-4-24

If you could ask Jesus for anything, what would it be?  Would it be the Eucharist?