Homilies about freedom

Why We Must Listen to God's Word in Times of Tyranny (Feat. Fr. Eliosbel Pereira)

Eliosbel Pereira

The homily emphasizes the importance of listening to God's word and discerning His will, drawing parallels with St. Benedict's life of renunciation and dedication to prayer and work. It also strongly connects these spiritual principles to the political and social realities of Cuba and Venezuela, urging listeners to resist tyrannical systems and defend freedom and life, reminding them that 'with God everything, without God nothing.'

The Gentle God: Finding His Presence in Silence and Withdrawal

The homily emphasizes God's gentleness, which is revealed through his willingness to step back and work silently, allowing for human freedom and genuine love. It highlights that God's withdrawal is not absence but an act of love, patiently transforming us without force, much like a parent letting a child learn to walk.

Why God Allows Evil: The Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat

The homily reflects on the parable of the weeds among the wheat, explaining that God allows evil to exist not because he is weak, but because he values human freedom and patience, hoping for conversion. The priest emphasizes that many great saints were once great sinners, illustrating God's transformative power and mercy.

The Enduring Power of God's Word Against Worldly Empires

The homily emphasizes the enduring nature of God's word compared to the fleeting empires of the world. It draws a clear distinction between the world's systems, which take from people and promote fear, and the Kingdom of God, which offers freedom, justice, equality, and love. The priest urges listeners to resist worldly empires and build God's kingdom through love and resistance, much like the wheat and weeds parable suggests a final separation.

Why God Lets Wheat and Weeds Grow Together: Understanding God's Patience with Evil

Father Greg

This homily addresses the perennial question of why evil exists if God is good and powerful, drawing on the Gospel parable of the wheat and weeds. The priest explains that evil is not God's creation but a result of misused human freedom, and God's patience in allowing wheat and weeds to grow together is an opportunity for conversion and growth, even for those we might label as 'weeds.' He encourages listeners to resist judgment, cultivate goodness in their own hearts, and never lose hope, as God's final word is always life, mercy, and love.

How Do You Receive God's Word? The Parable of the Sower

Father Michael D. Gregoria

The homily reflects on the parable of the sower, emphasizing that God's word is distributed lavishly to all, but its fruitfulness depends on the receptivity of the individual. It challenges listeners to examine how they receive the word of God in their own lives, acknowledging that God invites rather than imposes, respecting human freedom in accepting or rejecting His message.

التوبة: ليست خضوعًا بل حرية وفرح في السماء

الاب سلوان تبوني

The homily emphasizes that repentance is not submission but true freedom, bringing immense joy in heaven. It encourages believers to not only seek personal repentance but also to guide others towards God's path, highlighting that a life lived according to the Gospel brings peace and happiness, unlike sin which leads to sadness.

God's Love: An Invitation, Not a Bear Hug

This homily contrasts humanity's tendency to grasp and control with God's open, freeing love. It highlights how Jesus, unlike the Pharisees who sought to control through law, offers a gentle invitation to hope, even to those outside the traditional covenant, symbolized by his open arms on the cross.

Why God Allows Suffering: Choosing Freedom Amidst Life's Weeds

The homily addresses the common question of why God allows evil and suffering, drawing on the Gospel parable of the wheat and weeds. The priest emphasizes that true freedom lies in choosing Christ and goodness amidst life's tragedies and challenges, trusting in God's wisdom and mercy to help us grow and bear fruit even in difficult circumstances.

Is Freedom a Greater Challenge to Faith Than Persecution?

The homily contrasts the experience of faith under persecution in Eastern European communist countries with the challenges of faith in a free society. It argues that while persecution often strengthens faith and increases religious practice, the freedom to choose can paradoxically lead to a decline in religious observance as people prioritize material things or leisure activities over spiritual commitments. The priest emphasizes that true freedom requires making good choices to prioritize faith.

Why God Lets Weeds Grow Among the Wheat

The homily explores the parable of the wheat and the weeds, emphasizing that God allows good and evil to coexist until the harvest, which is the end of the age. It challenges listeners to look inward at their own 'weeds' (judgment, harshness) and reminds them that God's great gift is the freedom to choose between good and evil, never giving up on humanity's potential for good.