The Emmaus Pastorate’s Podcast

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?

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!