Homilies about justice

The Wheat, The Weeds, and God's Patience with Migrant Families

The homily uses the parable of the wheat and weeds to discuss God's patience and our call to be patient with others, especially in the context of immigration and family separations. It emphasizes that final judgment belongs to God and highlights the Holy Spirit's intercession for those suffering, urging the faithful to stand with the vulnerable and trust in God's ultimate justice.

Why God Lets the 'Weeds' Grow: A Story of Mercy and Transformation

The homily uses the parable of the wheat and weeds to illustrate God's mercy and justice, emphasizing that we are not called to judge others. It highlights that God sees hope in everyone, even those who appear to be 'weeds,' and that our identity is in Christ, not our sins or addictions. The speaker uses the story of Michael Tolbitt, a man who overcame addiction and became a servant of God, to exemplify this message of transformation and hope.

¿Por qué Dios permite que los pecadores estén en la Iglesia? La Parábola del Trigo y la Cizaña

The homily explores the paradox of God's justice and mercy, using the parable of the weeds among the wheat. It emphasizes that God allows sinners to remain in the Church to give them time for repentance, highlighting that conversion is a continuous and individualized process. The priest illustrates this with an anecdote about St. John Vianney and a woman whose husband repented between falling from a bridge and hitting the water, reinforcing that it's never too late for conversion, while also affirming the reality of hell for those who persist in unrepentant sin.

Are You Ready for God's Final Exam?

Father Brockmire

The homily emphasizes understanding the parables of the Kingdom of Heaven and applying their lessons to daily life. It challenges listeners to actively live their faith, spread the good news, and prepare for a 'final exam' by embodying Christ's teachings in their actions and choices, distinguishing right from wrong in a world that blurs these lines.

Why Denying Hell Undermines God's Love and Justice

The homily emphasizes the importance of theological precision, warning against seemingly small errors that can lead to heresy, specifically universalism. It argues that denying the reality of hell, the devil, or sin ultimately undermines the need for a Savior and God's justice and mercy. The speaker stresses the necessity of acknowledging sin and seeking forgiveness through confession, while also highlighting God's perfect balance of justice and mercy, including the realities of purgatory and heaven.

Why God Allows Suffering: Justice, Mercy, and the Parable of the Weeds

The homily explores the themes of divine justice and mercy, particularly in the face of human suffering. It uses the parables of the weeds and the wheat, and the mustard seed, to explain why God allows good and evil to coexist, emphasizing God's patience and desire for repentance. The speaker encourages offering up suffering for others and trusting in God's ultimate plan and justice.

Mary, the Mirror of Justice: Understanding Right Relationship with God and Others

Father Lewis Camelli

The homily connects the readings from Micah and Isaiah, emphasizing that biblical justice is about being in a right relationship with God and each other, not just fair play. It highlights Mary, under the title 'Mirror of Justice,' as a model for embracing God's justice and walking in right relationships.

The Paradox of Fighting Evil: Why Patience and Mercy Matter

The homily explores the paradox of dealing with evil, drawing from the parable of the weeds and the wheat. It emphasizes that while evil exists, our approach to it requires restraint, patience, and tolerance, lest we inadvertently harm the good. The priest cautions against the historical tendency to commit violence in the name of rooting out evil, urging a balance between God's justice and mercy.

God's Mercy: Why Pleading Guilty Makes You Innocent

The homily explores the concept of mercy, distinguishing human understanding from divine mercy. It emphasizes God's mercy as a covenantal bond, like that between a parent and child or in marriage, which compels Him to save us despite our sins. This is illustrated through the parable of the wheat and the weeds, highlighting God's patient and just approach to separating good from evil.

The Church: A Hospital for Sinners, Not a Museum for Saints

The homily reflects on the parable of the wheat and the weeds, emphasizing God's patience and justice in allowing good and bad to coexist in the world and the Church. It highlights that the Church is a hospital for sinners, not just a museum for saints, and encourages individuals to uproot their own 'weeds' to positively impact the world.

Why God Allows Evil: The Parable of the Weeds and Our Call to Peace

Father Carlos

The homily addresses the origin of evil and divine justice, emphasizing that while God's justice will come in due time, humans are called to actively combat evil by doing good and fostering peace. The priest uses the parables of the weeds among the wheat, the mustard seed, and the leaven to illustrate the importance of not becoming accustomed to evil and instead growing in goodness and mercy within the community.

God's Patience: Why He Lets the Weeds Grow Among the Wheat

This homily emphasizes God's mercy, justice, and patience, particularly in the context of the parable of the weeds and the wheat. It encourages believers to leave final judgment to God, allow the Holy Spirit to pray in their weakness, and trust in the transformative power of small acts of grace, rather than focusing on the faults of others.

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 Allows Evil: The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds

The homily explores the tension between God's justice and mercy, using the parable of the wheat and weeds to explain why God allows evil to coexist with good. It emphasizes that God's patience allows time for conversion and that the Church itself is a mixture of both good and bad, calling individuals to reform their own hearts and trust in divine providence.

¿Qué le pedirías a Dios? La sabiduría de Salomón y el servicio al pueblo

The homily emphasizes that God is a king who serves, not one who isolates himself in power. It challenges listeners to reflect on what they would ask God for, drawing a parallel to Solomon's request for wisdom to serve his people, not for personal gain. The homily strongly critiques authoritarian leaders who seek power for themselves rather than for the welfare and justice of their people, highlighting the importance of humility, wisdom, and accountability in governance.

Finding God's Hidden Treasure: Radical Compassion in Everyday Life

The homily explores the parables of the buried treasure and the pearl of great price, emphasizing that God's radical compassion, love, and justice are hidden treasures within our lives. It challenges listeners to actively dig for these spiritual treasures and put them into action, transforming society for the common good rather than hoarding them. The priest stresses that the Kingdom of God is not just a future reward but is present and active now, requiring conscious faith and radical change.

Cultivating a 'Hearing Heart': Three Questions to Find God in Your Day

The homily emphasizes cultivating a "hearing heart" to discern right from wrong and God's presence in daily life. It uses a modern parable about a bird's nest on a ladder to illustrate unexpected encounters that challenge our priorities, and proposes three questions—What happened? How did I feel? Where was God?—as a spiritual exercise for wisdom and justice.

Beyond Personal Sins: What Truly Divides Us from God?

Father Frank

The homily challenges the common perception of sin, arguing that it extends beyond sexual acts to include broader issues of justice, mercy, and compassion. Drawing on the Gospel parable of the weeds and wheat, the priest emphasizes that the Eucharist serves as medicine for our sinfulness, urging listeners to actively seek justice and care for others, rather than pursuing power and control.

Why God Delays Justice: The Parable of Wheat and Weeds

The homily reflects on the parable of the wheat and the weeds, emphasizing that God's patience allows for conversion rather than immediate judgment. It warns against seeking justice with anger and vengeance, which can lead to further injustice, and instead encourages prayer for the conversion of wrongdoers and self-examination to remove the 'weeds' from one's own heart.

Is the Kingdom of Heaven Worth Everything to You?

Father Mike

The homily emphasizes that the Kingdom of Heaven is of ultimate value, far surpassing any earthly possessions. Drawing on the parables of the buried treasure and the pearl of great price, the priest challenges listeners to prioritize spiritual wealth over material attachments, reminding them of the final judgment where actions of love and justice will determine entry into God's kingdom.