April 27th, 2012
(Full text of sermon) Did you notice in the Gospel on Palm Sunday that Pontius Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus died in only three hours?
Well, the reason he was surprised was because usually the victim of a crucifixion endured on the cross for eighteen to twenty-four hours. Yes, it was a very slow, tortuous means of execution.
You see, the person who was crucified had his arms placed on the cross at just the correct angle. This was so that when he was raised up, his body would slump forward making it very difficult for him to breathe properly. Continue Reading…
Tags: earthly king, heavinly King, Palm Sunday
Posted in Fr. Brankin, Lent, Texts of talks | Comments Off
April 27th, 2012
Third Sunday of Easter, Apr. 29, 2012
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O.de M.
Gospel: John 10:11-19 “There shall be one flock, one shepherd”
(Full text of sermon) As a child, one of my favorite things to do was to build towers. Give me a few blocks and I would immediately start on the Empire State Building. As I got older, I graduated to more mature ventures such as making towers with dominos and cards. Ultimately, though, towers are made to be “knocked down” (sometimes by us and other times by onlookers).
Ecce homo! This man attends classes taught in Latin
Think it’s difficult being taught in Latin or Italian? Read about the Mercedarian Deacon Scott Brentwood as he muses about his experiences in his priestly training in Rome. Click for his Rome update.
Is God calling you to become a Mercedarian friar? Visit the Mercedarians’ Facebook page. 
There are many ways that we can go about this demolition project: hit it high, hit it low, or pull one the objects out. The thicker the material the harder it is to knock down all at once. If we hit it too high, then often the foundation is left. But, take the cornerstone out and the whole tower goes toppling to the ground. Continue Reading…
Tags: apostles, Baptism, cornerstone
Posted in Easter Season, Fr. Eddy, Texts of talks | Comments Off
April 23rd, 2012
Third Sunday of Easter, Apr. 22, 2012
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: Luke 24:35-48 “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures”
(Summary of sermon) Remember when Pope Benedict was elected he asked for our prayers, that he would not flee for fear of the wolves? But doesn’t the Pope have the guarantee that he will not fail? Why does he need our prayers?
All of us are scarred with original sin and prone to weakness and sin. There is no ultimate victory until we have died. The Pope is faced with the daily struggles for his own salvation.
Live Gently With a Valiant Spirit
Would you like to have the courage of the Holy Spirit to face everyday life? Gentleness and strength of spirit are part of the Salesian spirituality. Crafted by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, this spirituality is for both religious and laity. Read “Salesian Spirituality is Strong and Growing.”
The Pope is faced with the question of how does he shepherd his flock against the wolves of this world. He is faced with issues such as “gay marriage” and Obama’s mandates. Continue Reading…
Tags: Pope Benedict, Salesian spirituality
Posted in Audio homilies, Fr. Brankin, pope | Comments Off
April 13th, 2012
Divine Mercy Sunday, April 15, 2012
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: John 20:19-31 He said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Full sermon text: Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. It is based on a private revelation of Jesus to a Polish religious sister before World War II. The private revelation was accepted by the Church and the devotion has rapidly spread throughout the world. Christ appeared to Sr. Faustina over a period of several years and taught her to pray for an outpouring of Divine Mercy on sinners throughout the world.
Classes in Latin for deacon in Rome
Think it’s difficult being taught in Latin or Italian? Read about Deacon Scott Brentwood, who was ordained earlier this year, as he muses about his experiences in his priestly training as a Mercedarian in Rome. Read his March 25 Rome update.
Is God calling you to become a Mercedarian friar? Visit the Mercedarians’ Facebook page.
One of the most popular aspects of the devotion is the Image of Christ with white and red rays bursting forth from his wounded side. The Doctrine of God’s Divine Mercy expressed in St. Faustina’s diary is not a new teaching, but only a reminder to the world of God’s greatest attribute, His mercy. Continue Reading…
Tags: captives, Divine Mercy Sunday, Faustina, islam, Mercedarians, Mercy
Posted in Easter Season, Fr. Eddy, Texts of talks | Comments Off
April 8th, 2012
(Summary of sermon) Peter, John and Mary Magdalene came looking for Jesus. Mary had a feeling of loss. None of the three understood.
We believe, but don’t need to understand. Our society is secular; it doesn’t admit to belief in God. It believes that it is only matter that matters. But God is spirit. On this Easter day, we join Peter, Mary and John as we come to look for Christ.
Read the homilies of Msgr. Saudis.
Tags: belief, Easter, secular, Spirit
Posted in Audio homilies, Easter Season, Fr. Saudis, Msgr. Saudis | Comments Off
