Author: Derek Michael Larson

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What keeps me from returning again to prayer and to Christian community?
2. How might Christ be inviting me to return again?
3. How does the story of Peter speak to my own life?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How is my faith transforming me and what does that cost?
2. In what ways is Christ inviting me to go deeper in my faith?
3. How might the lives of the Desert Fathers and Mothers inspire everyday Christians today?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Further Reflection

1. In what areas of my life do I carry authority over others? What role does compassion have in that authority?
2. How can I be more aware of the needs and struggles of those around me, especially in my community?
3. How can I grow in humility and service?
4. What kind of authority does the sacrament of baptism and apostolic succession bestow on a person?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What burdens am I carrying in my life right now, and how can I bring them to God in prayer?
2. How do I perceive my own woundedness, and in what ways can I find healing and support within my community?
3. How can I create a more welcoming environment for those who are struggling, just as Jesus did at His table?
4. What does it mean for me to be called a ‘child’ of God, and how does that identity shape my relationship with others who are suffering?

Encountering Christ in Visio Divina

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what ways do I currently exhibit receptivity in my faith journey, similar to the blind man in the story? Are there areas where I am more closed off?
2. How can I cultivate a more open posture—both physically and spiritually—toward God and the work God is doing in my life?
3. Reflecting on the art image discussed, what aspects or details resonate with my personal experiences or challenges? What emotions does this bring up for me?
4. What barriers do I recognize in my life that prevent me from fully engaging with God or receiving God’s gifts? How might I begin to dismantle those barriers?
5. How can I incorporate the practice of Visio Divina into my prayer life this week? What images or works of art might guide me deeper into my relationship with God?

Encountering Christ in the Breath Prayer

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How do I perceive the connection between my breath and my spiritual life? What does it mean for me to consider breath as the presence of the Holy Spirit?
2. Can I recall a specific moment when I felt God’s presence, similar to the experiences described in the homily? How did that moment affect my faith journey?
3. How can incorporating the Breath Prayer into my daily routine transform my relationship with God and my awareness of His presence?
4. What binds me in my spiritual life, and how can I invite the Holy Spirit to help me shed those things and experience new life?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what ways have I encountered Jesus as the beloved in my own life, and how has that shaped my understanding of love?
2. How can I remind myself that I am God’s beloved, especially during times when I struggle to feel worthy of love?
3. Reflecting on the Samaritan woman’s experience, what relationships in my life might be causing me to question my own belovedness, and how can I seek stability in God’s love rather than in these relationships?
4. How can I actively recognize and affirm the belovedness of those around me? What steps can I take to treat others as beloved in my daily interactions?
5. In what ways might I share the message of being beloved with my community, similar to how the Samaritan woman shared her encounter with Jesus?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How do you personally relate to the image of the crucifix? What emotions or thoughts does it evoke within you?
2. In what ways do you find it challenging to acknowledge suffering in your life, and how might the practice of praying with a crucifix help you embrace that pain?
3. Reflect on a time when you felt God’s presence in your suffering. How did that experience shape your understanding of divine love?
4. How can you apply the steps outlined in the homily to a current struggle you are facing? What specific suffering might you bring into the presence of God?
5. As you consider the transformation of Nicodemus from a quiet seeker to a public participant at the foot of the cross, what steps can you take to deepen your own faith journey and live out your beliefs more openly?

Download the Prayer Card for this week:

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?