Thoughts on Faith

This week begins a new sermon series for the season of Lent: Encountering Christ in Prayer. Each week we’ll look at a different, traditional prayer practice and issue an invitation to try it out in preparation for the Great Feast of the Resurrection!

This week’s prayer practice is the Daily Examen. Here is the homily.

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what moments throughout my day do I feel most aware of God’s presence, and how can I create more of those moments?
2. What voices or influences do I encounter regularly that may not align with God’s voice? How can I discern between them?
3. Reflecting on my recent experiences, when did I struggle to feel connected to God? What circumstances contributed to that feeling?
4. How can the practice of the Daily Examen help me to be more present to God in the coming days? What steps will I take to incorporate it into my routine?
5. In times of temptation, how can recalling my experiences of God’s presence through the Daily Examen strengthen my ability to resist those temptations?

Find the full text of the homily here.

1. How do I currently practice my faith privately, and what specific actions can I take to deepen that practice during this Lenten season?
2. In what ways do I find myself performing my faith for others rather than nurturing a personal relationship with God?
3. How can I create a dedicated space or time in my daily routine to engage more deeply with Scripture and prayer?
4. What are some spiritual disciplines I can incorporate into my life to enhance my personal faith journey?
5. How can I share the fruits of my personal faith with my community in a way that blesses others and reflects my genuine relationship with God?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What fears have I encountered recently, and how have they impacted my daily life and decisions?
2. In what ways do I attempt to avoid or cover up my fears rather than facing them?
3. Can I identify a moment when I felt God’s presence in the midst of my fear? What did that experience teach me?
4. How might my perspective on fear shift if I viewed it as an opportunity for growth and spiritual insight?
5. What steps can I take to confront my fears with openness and vulnerability, trusting that God is with me in those moments?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what areas of my life am I currently following rules or practices without truly engaging with their deeper meaning?
2. How can I shift my understanding of faith from mere moralism to a genuine transformation of my heart?
3. What specific practices can I implement during Lent to deepen my connection with God and enrich my spiritual journey?
4. How do I define my “end zone” in faith, and what steps can I take to move closer to that goal?
5. In what ways can I be more intentional in my prayer life to explore the depths of God as described by St. Paul?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what ways do you identify the “Thor” within yourself that seeks control, strength, and power over vulnerability and meekness?
2. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of openness to allow room for God’s presence in your life?
3. Reflect on a recent experience of grief or struggle. How did you respond, and how might approaching it with the mindset of Christ’s teachings change that response?
4. What practical steps can you take to embrace the blessings of the Beatitudes in your everyday life?
5. How can you support others in acknowledging their own woundedness and help them experience the love and grace of God?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what areas of my life am I experiencing loneliness, and how can I take proactive steps to connect with others in my community?
2. How do I prioritize relationships in my daily life, and what changes can I make to ensure I am casting my net more effectively?
3. In what ways do I embody the call to be a “fisher of people”? Who in my life might I invite to join our community?
4. How do I balance my individual pursuits with the need for community involvement, and what might I need to adjust to better align with Jesus’ call to belong to one another?
5. Reflect on a time when you felt a strong sense of belonging. What did that experience teach you about the importance of community in your spiritual journey?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what areas of my life do I feel inadequate or unprepared, and how can I embrace my shortcomings as opportunities for growth and service?
2. How has my understanding of faith been shaped by my experiences of failure or imperfection, and what lessons can I draw from those moments?
3. In what ways can I cultivate humility and openness in my daily life to better recognize Christ’s presence and guidance?
4. How do I typically respond to my own faults or failures, and how might shifting my perspective bring me closer to understanding God’s grace?
5. What steps can I take to foster a sense of community and interdependence with others, recognizing that we all share in the journey of faith, imperfections and all?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What feelings arise within me when I consider the symbolism of water in my own life? How do I relate to the notion of stepping into the water alongside Jesus?
2. In what areas of my life do I struggle to let go of control? How might surrendering this control allow me to experience a deeper connection with God?
3. How do I understand the concept of forgiveness as “letting go” in my relationships with others? Are there specific situations or individuals I need to practice this with?
4. Reflecting on my own baptism, what does it mean for me to renew my baptismal vows today? How can I embody this renewal in my daily life?
5. What hesitations do I experience that keep me from fully embracing the presence of Jesus? How can I address these hesitations to deepen my spiritual journey?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what moments or places in your life have you felt a deep sense of beauty that made you long to stay or linger?
2. Reflect on your current spiritual journey: do you see yourself as a visitor, a pilgrim, or at home in your relationship with God? How does this understanding affect your approach to worship and prayer?
3. Consider the different prayer postures mentioned in the homily (standing, kneeling, sitting). Which posture resonates most with you in your current spiritual state, and why?
4. How can you intentionally create sacred spaces in your life that allow you to encounter God more deeply and often? What practices can you adopt to foster a sense of pilgrimage in your everyday routine?
5. In what ways can you be more mindful of God’s presence in your life and recognize yourself as a dwelling place for God? How can this awareness shape your interactions with others and your community?

Find the full text of the Christmas Eve Homily “One Shared and Sacred Life” here.

Find the full text of the Christmas Day Homily “Fully Present to the Word Made Flesh” here.