Thoughts on Faith

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.

A Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent:

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what areas of my life am I holding onto rigid expectations of how Jesus should act or how situations should unfold?
2. Can I recall a time when I experienced doubt similar to John the Baptist? How did I navigate those feelings?
3. What unexpected ways has Jesus come into my life, and how have I responded to those moments?
4. How can I reimagine my understanding of Jesus’ mission in my life and in the world around me?
5. What is one belief or perspective about my faith that I feel Jesus is inviting me to reconsider during this Advent season?

A homily for Advent Lessons and Carols:

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How do I experience the physicality of my faith in my daily life? In what ways do I acknowledge the connection between my spiritual life and my bodily experiences?
2. What are some areas in my life where I feel a deep yearning for God’s presence? How can I invite Christ into those physical and emotional spaces?
3. Reflect on a moment when you experienced God’s presence in a bodily way. How did it impact your faith journey?
4. In what ways can I cultivate awareness of the natural world around me during this Advent season, and how does that awareness enhance my understanding of the Incarnation?
5. How do the stories of Adam and Eve and Mary resonate with my personal journey of saying yes or no to God? What might I need to prune in my life to prepare for Christ’s coming?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. Heart Condition Assessment: What fears or attachments am I currently holding onto that might be hindering my spiritual growth? How can I confront these feelings in a healthy way?
2. Identifying Fruits of the Spirit: In what areas of my life am I experiencing the fruits of the Spirit? How can I nurture and expand these positive qualities in my daily actions and interactions?
3. Intentional Practices: What specific practices or rituals can I implement to support my journey of repentance and growth? Which of these will challenge me most, and how might I approach them with openness?
4. Need for a Reset: Am I in a season where I require a “hard reset” in my life? If so, what steps can I take to initiate this process, and who can I turn to for guidance and support?
5. Understanding Pruning: How can I reframe my understanding of hardship and challenges in life as opportunities for spiritual pruning and renewal? What lessons can I learn from past experiences of change or difficulty?

I forgot to post last week’s homily! So here is yesterday’s for the Feast of All Saints:

You can find the full text for the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How does the concept of the communion of saints reshape my understanding of community and connection with those who have passed on before me?
2. In what ways can I open my eyes to the mystical aspects of the world around me, recognizing God’s work of healing and reconciliation in the midst of brokenness?
3. Reflecting on St. Paul’s message, how can I actively participate in the work of restoration and reconciliation in my own life and community?
4. How can I foster a greater sense of unity and communion with others, especially in a world that often feels divided and polarized?

And here is my homily from a couple weeks ago:

You can find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for REflection

1. How do I see myself as anointed for ministry as a Christian?
2. Reflecting on the different expressions of healing mentioned in the homily, which resonate most with my personal skills or passions? How can I utilize them in service to others?
3. What steps can I take to deepen my commitment to my parish and its mission as a minister, rather than just a recipient of care?
4. As I prepare my pledge for the stewardship campaign, how am I willing to contribute my time, talents, and resources to support our shared ministry and mission?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what ways do I seek healing and restoration in my life, and how do these desires influence my presence in church each Sunday?
2. Do I come to church primarily to receive God’s grace, or do I also offer my praise and thanksgiving? How can I better balance these two aspects?
3. How does viewing the church as both a place of nourishment and an altar for sacrifice change my perception of my role in the community?
4. In what aspects of my life do I feel called to offer myself as a living sacrifice, and how can I incorporate this into my stewardship and participation in the church?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How has my faith journey been influenced by the people in my life? Can I identify specific individuals who have shared their faith with me?
2. What practices do I engage in to nurture my sense of belonging within my faith community? How do I contribute to the shared life of my parish?
3. In what ways can I actively remember and honor those who have come before me in my faith tradition? How might their stories inspire my own spiritual growth?
4. How do I perceive my role in supporting the ministry and mission of my church? Do I view my contributions as a responsibility or merely as an act of charity?
5. In reflecting on the concept of stewardship, what steps can I take to more deeply engage with the shared community of my parish? How can I encourage others to do the same?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What are the names of those experiencing homelessness in my area?
2. In what ways, like the rich man, might I overlook the needs and humanity of those around me, especially the marginalized or those in poverty?
3. How can I practice seeing others not just as problems to be solved, but as individuals with unique stories and inherent dignity?
4. What are specific actions I can take to foster deeper connections and build relationships with people who are often overlooked?
5. How do I respond to discomfort or anxiety when encountering homelessness or poverty, and what steps can I take to reshape my response?
6. In what small ways can I incorporate the practice of knowing and using names in my interactions with those I serve or encounter in my community?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How do I perceive God’s love for me, and in what ways does this perception affect my self-worth and actions?
2. In what areas of my life am I holding onto the voice of condemnation rather than embracing the message of being beloved by God?
3. How can I embody Affirming Theology in my interactions with others, especially those who I may see as unworthy?
4. What does the concept of repentance mean to me, and how can I view it as a joyous homecoming rather than a burden?
5. How can I actively challenge the voices of grumbling and condemnation in my life, replacing them with messages of love and acceptance for myself and others?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What are some things in my life that I am clinging to too tightly, preventing me from fully embracing the way of Jesus?
2. In what areas of my life have I been avoiding discomfort or change, and how might that be hindering my spiritual growth?
3. Have I genuinely counted the cost of following Jesus? What sacrifices am I willing to make in my journey of faith?
4. How can I create space in my life to let go of those things that hold me back, allowing for new opportunities for growth and transformation in my faith?
5. Reflect on a time when letting go of something painful or challenging led to unexpected blessings or spiritual renewal. What did I learn from that experience?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. Personal Barriers: What personal barriers do I face when it comes to initiating conversations with strangers, and how can I work to overcome them?
2. Experiences of Connection: Can I recall a time when reaching out to a stranger led to a meaningful connection? What did that experience teach me about the value of friendship?
3. Practicing Hospitality: In what ways can I actively practice hospitality to strangers in my daily life? Are there specific groups in my community that I feel called to engage with?
4. Changing Perspectives: How can I shift my perspective to see strangers as opportunities for connection rather than potential threats? What practical steps can I take to approach interactions with compassion?
5. Community Involvement: How can I encourage my church or community group to engage more deeply with strangers? What initiatives or partnerships could we explore to foster inclusivity and love for those outside our immediate circle?