Friends,

On this day we celebrate the Presentation of Our Lord. Let us reflect on how we can enter into our own purification and offer our hearts to God.

Friends,

It is, once again, Ordinary Time on the liturgical calendar. Now is a good time to reflect on how we approach God in the liturgy. The liturgy aims to help us grow in Faith and devotion. Does how we come dressed reflect our belief? Or will we risk our belief reflecting the causal nature of our attitude. Will we risk our love growing cold before the Lamb of God?

Friends,

Today, we reflect on the Call of God and how it hits us when we least expect it. The proper response is to leave what we are doing and listen to His voice.

Friends,

On this feast of the Holy Family, let us remember that we have two competing visions within our heart. The American Spirit as given voice by John Milton's Paradise Lost and that Holy Spirit which makes Himself known in the world through the Catholic Church. Our families are to be the salt of the earth, transforming it through living out lives of virtue.

Friends,

As we look forward to Christmas in a couple of days and toward this weekend which is Holy Family Sunday, let us look to Mary as a model for how we can Magnify the Lord!

Friends,

Today, Jesus asks the elders by what Authority did John baptize? Was his baptism of heavenly origin or of man?

They answer out of fear of the people who regard John as a prophet. We must ask ourselves this Advent season the simple question, "whom do you fear?" Do we have fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom? Or do we fear other people?

Friends,

I had trouble figuring out what title to give this homily. It is basically an explanation of the Messianic Expectations of the 2nd Temple Period in Judaism. I use Fr. Giambrone's book The Bible and The Priesthood as a guide in this homily.

Friends,

Welcome to Advent!

This is a time of blasting and searing judgment. I reflect on how a searing knife can close up a wound so that the healing process can begin. This is what Advent is for us. We close up the wounds that sin has caused within us.

This is how we make ourselves ready for the Nativity of our Lord at Christmas.