The Emmaus Pastorate’s Podcast

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?

Homily from 7-28-24

Feeling hungry?  That's not a bad thing!  But for what are you hungering?  Is it more time, more money, more space, or more of something else?  Are you yearning for something that belongs to this world?  The sad truth is, nothing in this world will actually satisfy the hunger growing in our hearts.  There is only one thing that can slake that, and actually it's not a thing but a person.  And when he satisfies our every need so well that there's even leftovers!  That person is Jesus Christ!

Who's Your Shepherd? Homily from 7-20-24

Especially amid all the division and chaos in today's culture, we need some unity!  But who can lead us toward each other, toward cohesion?  Many of our "leaders" don't accomplish that.  But there is one who will unify us every time - if we let him, that is.  So, dearest sheep, who's your shepherd?

Homily From 7-14-24

Homily from 7-7-24

Come!  Do not be afraid of the silence!

Homily on 6-29-24

Isn't it so frustrating sometimes?!  And it never fails!  You're off to start this project or begin that task, and ding goes the notification or ring goes the phone!  All of a sudden our plans are completely derailed because this friend is in crisis or a kid needs our help.  UGH!  But perhaps Jesus wants us interrupted.  After all, when the bleeding woman touched him, she was healed!  A minor inconvenience to Jesus of course, but to everyone else it might have caused the death of Jairus' daughter!  No matter to Jesus; he was able to save both despite the delay, the call for help, the crisis.  Maybe the next time we're faced with an annoying interruption, maybe we'll remember that Jesus is present even there, perhaps even calling us into it!

Homily on 6-22-24

Sacred?  Afraid?  Terrified?  Have you no faith?!  Jesus - God himself made man - commanded the skies and seas, and they obeyed him of course.  But he's not just the master of terrestrial matters; he can calm us, too!  When we find ourselves overwhelmed, in the midst of a storm, and about to sink, he's ready to calm our waters.  We just have to ask, and have faith.

How do we grow our faith in Christ?  Prayer!  And what's a great form a prayer?  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament!  Join us on July 7 after the 5:00pm Mass at St. Mary Parish in Strawberry Point, IA for a time of adoring Christ in the Eucharist as the Blessed Sacrament is exposed.  Adoration is a great time for silent prayer in church, and is a perfect way to calm any storm raging in our hearts!  Please call us at 563-928-7200 if you plan to come or have any questions!