Evangelical Disciple

A few passages from the Sacred Scriptures have thrown me for a loop. Find out what they are and why I don't think we know what it means to be a Christian yet.

Homily from the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus came to earth with one purpose, and that was to do what his people refused to do, namely lay down his life in obedience to the Father. His death brings eternal life to those who are willing to give their life to Jesus.

Homily from the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Israelites had to prove their faith in God by sacrificing one of the false gods of the Egyptians. Their action showed the Lord and the world that they trusted in the promises of their God, even though it was a big risk. The Lord invites us to take big risks by preparing well for when he comes again. Will our actions reveal faith in God?

Homily from the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus tells a parable in which a man is criticized by God for not being rich in what matters to God. This causes us to examine what matters to God and how we can become rich in it.

Did you know that Christianity has the most extensive history and experience of mysticism of all religions? Find out more in this sermon: "The Better Part".

What does Fire and Brimstone preaching mean? Find out in this week's message: "Fire and Brimstone". Justice and Mercy embrace.

Homily from the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. We pray the Lord's Prayer frequently, but we don't always pay attention to what we're praying and we don't always know why we pray it. The Holy Spirit will help us understand.

Homily from the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time. We learn a valuable lesson this week: our prayer can be transformed even when we suffer.

Homily from the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. We find some tension in the laws of the Old Testament, which don't seem to allow for right worship and radical charity. How can we reconcile the tension? We can't. But Jesus can, and he already did. He freed us from the old law so that we can both worship God fully and be charitable to our neighbor. Now the hunger can be satisfied, and it must be.

This sermon addresses two desires in the human heart: 1) Can't we all just be at peace? How? 2) All lives matter. Why?

Homily from the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus says to rejoice because his disciples' names are written in Heaven. Why? Simply because they are his disciples. Their identity makes them worthy of Heaven. Why do we know they are disciples? Because they act like disciples. And so should we.

Is your name written in Heaven? Do you know? What does that even mean? While there is a lot to mention on this topic, this message simply shares through a few recent encounters how this verse from Luke 10:20 has come to the foreground: Rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.

Homily from the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. The Jews had such a huge influence during the time of the Acts of the Apostles, yet their focus was not on the Lord. Today, Christians can have such a huge influence on the culture, yet it appears our focus is not on the Lord.

Homily from the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. We hear two stories of great men gathering disciples to follow after them. What does it mean to be a disciple? Why would I want to be a disciple of someone? Why would I want to be a disciple of Jesus? What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? Check out this link for some good reflection questions: https://evangelicaldisciple.com/2016/06/27/discipleship-sermon-with-reflection-questions/

Homily from the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time. When we were baptized, we were clothed with Christ. What does that mean? Those who are clothed with Christ will strive to imitate him in everything, including denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily and following him. For the cross is the power of God.

Homily from the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The mercy of God is so powerful. We need his mercy to experience true freedom.

Either Jesus is on the throne of your life or He isn't. Don't straddle the issue any longer.

Make an act of Faith that what Jesus said, He meant! This is My Body - This is My Blood. Amen!

Homily from the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Lord uses two great miracles to capture the full attention of his people. He wants us to give him his full attention. Most often, he does this through subtle promptings. It's our responsibility to respond accordingly.

Homily from the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. It seems we're all so willing to do whatever the Lord tells us to do, but so few of us are actually listening to hear the voice of the Lord. Jesus tells us that the Spirit of Truth will guide us into all truth and declare to us everything Jesus desires us to know. Are we listening for the Spirit?