Homilies about service

Called to Belong: Serving God and the Poor in Community

The homily, delivered on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, emphasizes the parish's Vincentian heritage of serving the poor through relationship-based ministry. The priest encourages parishioners to get involved in various ministries, particularly the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the RCIA program, highlighting the spiritual edification gained through service and the importance of discerning God's call to ministry.

Sé la Sal y la Luz del Mundo: El Ejemplo de San Efrén

The homily emphasizes that, like Saint Ephrem, we are called to be the 'salt of the earth' and 'light of the world' by living out the Gospel and serving others with the heart of Jesus. It encourages active participation in the community, caring for the sick, and being instruments of God's grace, giving glory to God through our good works.

The Eucharist: A Mystery of Faith, Action, and Union

The homily emphasizes that the Eucharist is the central mystery of the Catholic faith, understood not through intellect but through faith. It highlights the Eucharist as a union between heaven and earth, bringing together saints and all believers, and calls for active participation in love, service, and forgiveness, preaching the Gospel through actions rather than just words.

The Trinity: A Call to Self-Giving Service

Father Ariel

The homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity focuses on the Trinity as a "serving community" rather than just a doctrine to understand. The priest explains how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit mutually serve each other and humanity through creation, redemption, and sanctification. He then challenges the congregation to imitate this self-giving love by serving God and the Church, especially by participating in parish ministries.

Giving When You Have Nothing Left: Living as Salt and Light

The homily connects the Old Testament story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath with Jesus' teaching on being salt and light. It emphasizes the recurring theme in scripture of giving generously, especially when one feels they have nothing left, and serving others first as a way to glorify God and live out one's faith.

How to Be Salt and Light in a Suffering World

The homily emphasizes that our faith is best witnessed not by what we say, but by how we love and serve others, especially the suffering. Drawing on the imagery of salt and light, it calls believers to bring meaning, hope, and love into the world, actively combating indifference, injustice, and selfishness.

Are You Giving Everything to God and Others?

The homily challenges listeners to consider if they are truly giving everything they have in service to God and others, drawing parallels from the widow's radical generosity in the First Reading and the inherent self-giving nature of salt and light in the Gospel. It emphasizes that God asks us to give entirely of ourselves, just as He gives Himself entirely in the Eucharist, and that we are given the grace to do so.

Be Salt, Light, and a Harp for God: Living a Consumed Life of Service

The homily reflects on the readings from 1 Kings and Matthew, highlighting God's universal power and providence through the story of Elijah and the widow. It then connects Jesus' call for disciples to be 'salt of the earth' and 'light of the world' with the idea of being consumed in service, drawing a parallel to St. Ephraim, the 'harp of the Holy Spirit,' who allowed God to work through him.

Are You Living Like Salt? The Paradox of Giving Yourself Away

The homily focuses on the Gospel reading where Jesus calls his disciples the 'salt of the earth' and 'light of the world.' It emphasizes that salt's value is in being given away and dissolved, paralleling how human lives find meaning when they 'die to themselves' and are poured out for others, especially the poor and marginalized. The homily challenges listeners to consider how much of themselves they preserve versus how much they give away.

Why Suffering Can Be a Blessing and How to Be Salt and Light

The homily connects the suffering of the Israelites due to drought, and the widow's poverty, to our own sufferings, emphasizing that these can be a blessing that reminds us to return to God. It then links this to the Gospel's call to be 'salt of the earth' and 'light of the world,' explaining that these roles involve self-sacrifice and suffering, just as salt dissolves and a candle burns itself out to give flavor and light.

A Retiring Priest's Reflections: 41 Years, Haiti, and the Eucharist

Father Walsh

The homily begins with the priest announcing his retirement after 41 years at St. Margaret Mary, reflecting on the parish's initial reputation and thanking the community and staff for their support. He then transitions to discussing the importance of the parish's mission in Haiti, encouraging younger people to visit and emphasizing the need to help those struggling. Finally, he reminds the congregation of the significance of the Feast of Corpus Christi, urging them to truly believe in Christ's real presence in the Eucharist and participate in the procession.

Corpus Christi: From Receiving Christ to Being Christ in the World

Padre Adelson Moreira, Padre José Luis Menéndez

This homily, delivered on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, features two priests. The first priest emphasizes the Eucharist as spiritual food for eternal life, transforming us to be more like Christ. He recounts the origin of the Corpus Christi feast through St. Juliana of Liege's vision and Mother Teresa's defiance in communist Albania, highlighting the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The second priest, Father José Luis, emphasizes that receiving the Eucharist calls us to active service and compassion for others, particularly the lonely and sick, urging everyone to find a ministry and serve the community.

Bí Quyết Sống Đời Đời: Sức Mạnh Biến Đổi Của Thánh Thể Chúa

The homily emphasizes that while we strive for physical health and longevity, true eternal life comes from receiving Christ's Body and Blood in the Eucharist. This sacrament transforms us to be more like Christ, enabling us to live out His mission of forgiveness, service, and spreading the Good News to others, especially those closest to us.

Corpus Christi: You Are What You Receive

Padre Wilson

The homily for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi emphasizes the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, not just as a symbol but as His true body and blood. It uses a story of a holy monk who didn't need to see a miracle to believe, highlighting that our faith should be equally strong. The homily also stresses that by receiving the Eucharist, we are transformed into Christ's body, becoming reflections of His love and service to others.

Finding Your Purpose: Be Salt and Light for Others

The homily reflects on Jesus' metaphors of salt and light, emphasizing that their purpose is not for themselves but to enhance and illuminate others. The speaker connects this to human purpose, suggesting that true value comes from serving others and drawing out their goodness, rather than self-service.

The Mystery of the Trinity: Why Relationships, Love, and Service Matter

The homily for Trinity Sunday emphasizes that the Holy Trinity, while a mystery, is fundamentally about relationships, love, and service. The priest shares personal anecdotes, including a seminary exam question on the Trinity and a story about a 105-year-old man, to illustrate that some profound truths are not meant to be fully explained but rather experienced through faith and action. The second part of the homily is a detailed appeal for the Cathedral Cornerstone Campaign, outlining its three main areas of focus: reinforcing the cathedral, envisioning its future through endowment, and supporting archdiocesan-wide initiatives.

Maria Lê Thị Trương: A Life of Salt and Light for the Community

The homily reflects on the life of Maria Lê Thị Trương, emphasizing her role as 'salt of the earth' and 'light of the world' through her actions of service, faith, and dedication to her family and the church community. The priest connects her life to the day's scripture readings, highlighting her generosity and active participation in various church groups, even in old age and illness, as an example for others.

Corpus Christi: From the Altar to the World

The homily for Corpus Christi emphasizes that the Eucharist is not merely a symbol but the real presence of Jesus, who gives himself to us as spiritual nourishment. Receiving communion strengthens our faith, heals our wounds, and unites us more deeply with God and others. This sacrament also calls us to action, compelling us to serve the poor, the sick, and the lonely, becoming the body of Christ for the world.

How Your Small Actions Can Be a Light in a Dark World

The homily reflects on the readings, emphasizing that while Jesus is the true light, we are called to be lights in the world through our everyday actions. It highlights the story of the widow of Zarephath as an example of responding to God's call even in dire circumstances, demonstrating that even small acts of faith and kindness can make a significant difference.

Corpus Christi & 25 Years: The Eucharist as the Heart of Our Mission

Bishop John Tran

This homily, delivered in both Spanish and English, celebrates the Solemnity of Corpus Christi and the 25th anniversary of the Divino Niño Jesús Mission. The speaker emphasizes the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist as the heart and foundation of the community, acknowledging the sacrifices of those who built it and encouraging continued unity in faith, hope, and charity, especially in serving the needy.