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The Light of Christ

January 24, 2026

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Easter Vigil is the greatest Mass in the Church year. Not only is it the first celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, that night we typically also welcome new folks into Christ’s Catholic Church. If you have never attended an Easter Vigil, I eagerly invite you to experience its beauty at least once. My favorite liturgical moment in the entire year is probably the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

The Easter Candle is blessed and lit from the blessed Easter Fire outside and then carried into the darkened church. The deacon holds that candle in the doorway and chants “The Light of Christ.” The people reply, “Thanks be to God,” and then the priest lights his small candle from the Easter Candle. The procession continues to the center of the church and the proclamation is chanted again (“The Light of Christ” … “Thanks be to God”) then the altar servers light their candles with the Easter Candle’s light. Those servers then light the candles of the congregants, who then light the candles of their neighbors, and so on, until everyone’s candles are lit. The proclamation is chanted for a third time, before the altar, the people respond, and then the Easter Candle is placed in its holder beside the ambo and all the lights in the church are turned on. That night begins in darkness. But then the light of Christ, the light of our Faith, enters in. Our light comes from his light, and we help one another’s candles to be lit.

In today’s first reading, we hear Isaiah foretell a prophesy about the region of Galilee in Northern Israel: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing….” Today’s Gospel affirms that Jesus fulfills that prophesy: “When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea… that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled. …And from that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’” Next we see Jesus calling others to follow him. He invites the fishermen Simon and Andrew, James, and John, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They were called to remain close to Jesus, to learn from him, love him, and serve him, and to draw others to Christ and help those people remain in Christ. That is our calling too. To be lit by his light and help in lighting others.

How can you remain close and aflame with Christ? First, Jesus gives us his Sacraments. Faithfully, consistently, commune with him through his Holy Eucharist. And reconcile with him (as needed) through his Sacrament of Penance. Next, learn from Jesus. Listen to him speak through his Inspired Scriptures, the Bible. Listen to him speak through his Holy Church, particularly in the Catechism and (in another sense) through the writings of his saints. Also, spend time with Jesus in prayer. Pray with others (your spouse, your kids, your friends) but also pray alone, here at church and at home, not only speaking but also devoting time to let him speak. And unite with Jesus through Christian service, not only for your household but for our spiritual family, the Church. In these and other ways, you can stay brightly lit by Jesus Christ’s light and help to share his precious light with others.

Posted in Homily, Jesus Christ, Mass, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Momentous Memories

January 18, 2026

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

In this Sunday’s Gospel, St. John the Baptist remembers the experience that revealed Jesus Christ to him. John declares, “The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ … The reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John recounts how after baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. … Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

John the Baptist was Jesus’ relative and their parents (at least Mary, Elizabeth and Zachariah) had known each other. And in last Sunday’s Gospel reading, John at first refused to baptize Jesus, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Yet John remarks twice in today’s Gospel, “I did not know him.” In what sense did John not know Jesus? Perhaps, since they had lived separate lives for many years, John did not recognize him about whom his parents had presumably spoken until Jesus introduced himself. Or perhaps, as St. Augustine suggests, John knew certain things about Jesus but not others—specifically, that Jesus was the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, whom it was John’s mission to reveal.

The other three Gospel accounts of Jesus’ baptism likewise note the Holy Spirit’s descent in the likeness of a dove, but they also mention how the voice of God the Father was heard speaking from heaven while John does not. Mark and Luke record those words from heaven as “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” while Matthew records the words slightly differently: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Maybe these are just equivalent expressions, since either statement implies the other. Or, maybe Jesus heard the proclamation one way while those nearby heard it differently, like later at Pentecost when those in the crowd heard a simultaneous proclamation in different languages.

But why doesn’t John’s Gospel include the voice of God the Father speaking at Jesus’ baptism? Maybe the author reasoned that that detail was already sufficiently established by each of the earlier Gospels. (For instance, John’s Gospel does not include Jesus saying “this is my Body” at the Last Supper like Matthew, Mark, and Luke; but John does share the Bread of Life Discourse, in which Jesus says the Bread he will give for us to eat is really his flesh.) Or maybe the author of John’s Gospel did not want to invite any misunderstanding about when God the Father spoke the Eternal Word, his Son. The Sonship of Jesus did not begin on the day of his baptism (as some “adoptionist” heresies claimed); he is eternally begotten.

Yet however much John knew before Jesus’ baptism or whatever words he heard from heaven, after beholding the Holy Spirit come down and land upon Jesus, John the Baptism knew that Jesus Christ was the one whom he was sent to proclaim and make known. That core experience of St. John the Baptist was a powerful support for him in times of hardship thereafter. When he sat in Herod’s dungeon and faced a martyr’s death, remembering what he himself had seen and learned strengthened him through his trials. The same can be said of St. Paul the Apostle. His encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus changed the course of his life forever. Even as Paul suffered emotional burdens and physical deprivations, beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, and imprisonments, he could return to that momentous memory and be renewed to joyfully endure in his God-entrusted mission.

What have been your core experiences of the Lord our God? How has he reveal to you his goodness, love, and power? Those personal experiences remain real and true and they’re memories for you to revisit for your inspiration, consolation, and strength—and you should. If you cannot recall any such occasions in your life, I invite you to pray to Jesus Christ, St. John the Baptist, and St. Paul the Apostle to be gifted these precious and powerful experiences, for whoever asks receives; and whoever seeks, finds; and for whomever knocks, the door will be opened.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Homily, Jesus Christ, St. John the Baptist, St. Paul, Sunday Homilies, Supernatural Phenomena | Leave a Comment »

A River of Life

January 12, 2026

Baptism of the Lord
By Fr. Victor Feltes

When you think of the Jordan River, you maybe imagine a broad and impressive body of water, but you could toss a rock from one bank of the Jordan River to the other. Yet, unlike the many streams and rivers flowing through our green countryside, the Jordan River is one of very few which pass through that mostly arid land. This is the body of water Jesus chose for his baptism; a humble river of life flowing through a desert. Joshua had led God’s Old Covenant people into the earthly Promised Land through this river. Jesus, the new Joshua, leads God’s New Covenant people into the true Promised Land through his holy baptism.

Jesus did not need John’s baptism for himself. John the Baptist perceived this too and tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” But Jesus insisted, so John relented, “to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus is baptized not to be made holy by the water but to make the water holy, so that this most plentiful substance upon the face of the earth could be used in Christ’s gateway sacrament all throughout the world. Jesus was baptized to allow us to be united to him through baptism.

The water, the decent of the Spirit, and the voice of the Father all reflect effects of Christian baptism. Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan reflects what occurred for you and me when we were baptized. Through baptism, our souls were cleansed, the grace of the Holy Spirit was imparted to us, and we were acknowledged as a beloved children of God. Perhaps we take these things for granted: that sins can be forgiven, that the divine can dwell within us, that we can be more than mere slaves to the transcendent God of the universe, that we can be treasured sons and daughters of God. We must remember and appreciate these things, for things that go unappreciated can be neglected to our loss.

The Jordan River flows about 150 miles on the eastern border of Israel, south from the Sea of Galilee down into the Dead Sea. These bodies of water present a spiritual allegory. They symbolize a spiritual reality. The Sea of Galilee is a large freshwater lake full of life. Its water pours out into the Jordan River, and this river flows through the desert to bless its shores with life. But these waters ultimately descent 700 vertical feet down into the Dead Sea, to the lowest place on earth, where it has no place else to go. So there the water sits, evaporating away in the heat, leaving behind trace amounts of salt, which overtime causes the Dead Sea be extremely salty, permitting no plants, fish, or other visible life to live. The pure waters from above, received through the holy stream, bear no life in that recipient. Likewise, the sacraments offer grace from above, through a stream of living water, but in the unrepentant soul they bear no life.

If you are in grave sin, for God’s sake, for your sake, and the sake of those around you, repent and be reconciled to God through his Sacrament of Confession. On Saturday, I had the pleasure of celebrating the first Confessions of our second graders. They were a bit nervous beforehand, but afterwards when I asked them how they felt they answered: ‘Good! Great! Awesome!’ Besides the joy of a cleansed soul and conscience, something that Confession gives is a new beginning, the strength and focus to begin anew. Jesus desires for his graces to flow through you as a fruitful blessing in this spiritually-arid world.

The words of Isaiah in our first reading point to Christ, and you are in Christ because of your baptism. So Isaiah’s inspired words are spoken of every soul in a state of grace: Thus says the Lord: “You are my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you… a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement [and darkness.]”

You might not be called to cry out or shout, making your voice heard in the streets, breaking this and crushing that. But Jesus wants to use you as his powerful instrument to work transforming good in this world. The Lord is still quietly saving souls through his faithful ones, who receive his graces and pour them forth. Cooperate with him for this; for him, for yourself, and for the good of many.

Posted in Baptism of Jesus, Christian Perfection, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies, Typology | Leave a Comment »

Holy Family Lessons

December 28, 2025

Feast of the Holy Family
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Modern popes (including St. Paul VI, St. John Paul the Great, and Benedict XVI) have reflected upon and recommend the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus as a model, an example, for all Christian families to contemplate and learn from. This morning I wish to share some insights for children and parents, husbands and wives, drawn from the Holy Family. First, a reflection on Jesus in relationship to his parents.

The Archangel Gabriel told Mary at the Annunciation, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” Then, when an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream he said, “[Mary, your wife,] will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus…” And St. Luke records that indeed, “when eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus…” So Jesus was named by both Joseph and Mary, though his name originated with God. Adam was given authority in the Garden of Eden, reflected by him authoring the names of his wife Eve and all the animals. Jesus’ mother and foster-father were likewise given authority over him, and Luke writes that Jesus “was obedient to them.”

We just heard Sirach’s words that “God sets a father in honor over his children; [and] a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons,” and we heard St. Paul urging “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.” St. Paul notes elsewhere that amongst the Ten Commandments, “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” And Sirach observes that those who revere and honor their parents receive many earthly and heavenly blessings.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “as they grow up, children should continue to respect their parents. They should anticipate their wishes, willingly seek their advice, and accept their just admonitions.” It says, “obedience toward parents ceases with the emancipation of the children; [but] not so respect, which is always owed to them.” And “as much as they can, [children] must give [parents] material and moral support in old age and in times of illness, loneliness, or distress.” Jesus supported his parents in the Holy Family. St. Joseph is the patron saint of a happy death because Jesus and Mary would have comforted and cared for him on his deathbed. And one of Jesus’ final deeds before he died on the Cross ensured that his widowed mother would be cared for.

This Sunday’s Gospel reading offers husbands and wives another valuable reflection from the Holy Family. After the Annunciation, the Gospels record no more angelic messages being given to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her husband, Joseph, however receives multiple messages through dreams. First, the angel of the Lord tells Joseph not to fear receiving Mary his wife into his home. Then, as Herod is poised to hunt down the Christ Child, the angel tells Joseph to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt. Once Herod dies, the angel directs Joseph to take them back to the land of Israel. Finally, once Joseph has led his Holy Family back to Israel, he is warned in a dream not to live in the region of Bethlehem (Judea) and decides instead to resettle back up north in Nazareth.

Those messages from heaven came to the leader of the Holy Family, and Mary had to trust and entrust herself to Joseph. Joseph was called to servant-leadership, loving his wife and their child self-sacrificially, even as Christ loves the Church. Mary, in turn, was called to be subordinate to her husband, like a priest to his bishop. Of course, I am not obliged to obey my bishop in things that are immoral or irrational, but otherwise the Lord wills me to be obedient to him as my leader. I can voice my personal preferences to him and I ought to raise my concerns with him, but the ultimate decision and responsibility falls to him. Likewise, St. Paul writes, “Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.” And elsewhere St. Paul teaches in the Spirit, “As the Church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.”

Children and parents, husbands and wives, may all of us learn from the Holy Family as our example. And may their prayers beside the throne of God the Father gain us abundant graces to be great and fruitful saints in their likeness.

Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Marriage and Family, Saintly People, St. Joseph, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Jesus & The Wingless Angels

December 22, 2025

4th Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Today, Jesus reminds us that our earthly experience is limited to a specific time. We all think that our time here on earth is unlimited, but it is not. We are given a certain time to accept or reject our requested vocation in life: to love God and neighbor. Let me share with you Deacon Dick’s call and views on a vocation of love and service.

When I was about six or seven years old, my dad and I went to Reetz’s Grocery Store to buy some meat. At that time, the grocery part was run by Lorraine Reetz and her sister Jean Reetz. Jean was not a very smiley person, but she was in charge of checking out the customers. One day, Dad was buying meat at the meat counter, and I heard a yell from the checkout counter. Jean was checking out someone, and when she overfilled the bag, it broke, with all the groceries falling on the ground. I saw that and ran over to Jean to help her repackage the bag that had broken. I saw her give me the biggest smile ever. From that day on, she always put me—who she called “Dickie”—in the front of the line to check out whenever I went to their store. Jean never forgot that event for years to come. She was to me a wingless angel.

Today we find that Mary is confronted by an angel to be the mother of God. We also find Joseph, who finds a person he is in love with and engaged to, is pregnant. Mary had an angel ask for her help. Joseph had another angel tell him she did not betray him. Who do we look to for truth in what God desires of our life? The answer is Jesus and the Body of Christ, His Church. Both Mary and Joseph had faith to believe the unbelievable. Who do we have? The answer is the Holy Spirit and the Body of Christ—service people, who I call the “Wingless Angels.”

When I was contemplating becoming a deacon, I did not want to become seen as a “holy roller.” The Dick I had grown up with could not handle that. I told God I would give it a try, but I felt He should give this job to someone more qualified than myself. Well, God gave me mentors. He gave me a wife, a son, and a daughter-in-law who give themselves in service to me and to others. He gave me parents who always put others in front of their own desires. He gave me friends and relatives who always looked out for others, even if it meant sacrificing their time so others could have some good time. He gave me my priest friends who showed me that just because you are holy doesn’t mean there is something not right with you—men who loved their vocation in life and serving God and His children. All were and are “wingless angels.”

When I was considering whether I should go through the program to become a deacon, I sat one Saturday at a bar with my best friend. I told him I was thinking about becoming a deacon and wanted his input on whether I should go on. He looked at me and said, “Go for it!” Another angel without wings. Finally, I looked at the parishioners of St. Paul’s and St. John’s—people who shared much of their life in service to their Church and to the community at large. Although many times they looked tired, they always had a smile on their face when serving God’s children. People who are and were truly “Wingless Angels.” I will close with an email I recently sent to my only granddaughter who began dating. I told her to choose her friends closely and to look to people who look to helping others more than they look to themselves. She answered me with a smiley face with tears on it. Barb asked me what that meant, and I said, “I think she got it!” Another angel without wings? I hope so!

Through the birth of Jesus—a “skin-on Person of God”—He gave us a great gift for Christmas: the angels without wings, people with “skin on,” to help direct our lives and be happy serving others. Food for thought before you celebrate Christmas? Without Mary and Joseph saying “Yes,” there might be no Jesus, no Church, and no Body of Christ. There might be no angels without wings! Jesus invites all children of God to join Him at Mass, and He will provide them with a meal of Himself—food that Fr. Tom called “angel food,” energy food that will put a smile on your face as you serve His children. Finally, Jesus told me to tell you, “Wingless Angel folks,” thanks for saying “Yes” and loving others as He loves us, and that He is preparing a room for you. And for those of you who are being called to become “Wingless Angels,” and who—like this deacon—questioned the wisdom of Jesus in calling you into the College of Saints, Jesus responds with a grin on His face and tells you: “Be still and know that I Am!”

Posted in Homily, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

You Can Ask Jesus Your Questions

December 13, 2025

3rd Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Victor Feltes

St. John the Baptist, despite his continued imprisonment, had heard about the works Jesus was doing and sent two of his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” John was no pushover, not some reed swayed by the wind, but from this question we can gather that while John sat in Herod’s prison some doubt arose about whether Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah.

Notice how Jesus reacts to the question. He does not lose his temper or condemn them for asking. He gives them a helpful response: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” In other words: “Report to John my mighty works for these show that I am the Messiah of whom Isaiah wrote (e.g., ‘Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.’) How I accomplish my purposes may appear strange, but remember that a person who takes no offense at me is blessed.” Jesus was patient with people who asked him questions in good faith.

Nicodemus did not want to be seen in public with Jesus. That’s why Nicodemus approached him at night. But Jesus still engaged with his questions. The Samaritan woman at the well may have first thought the man speaking to her was weird, but Jesus invited her probing questions. And the rich young man who asked Jesus about the way to eternal life wasn’t quite ready to fully commit to following Christ, but Jesus looked at him, loved him, and gave personalized responses. Despite their flaws, they asked Jesus questions in good faith and Jesus answered them. What Jesus does not like is questions asked in bad faith.

When the Pharisees would set traps for him, Jesus knew their ill intent, saying, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?” He knew they were just looking for ways to condemn and reject him. And when Jesus appeared before King Herod during his Passion, Herod questioned him at length because he had heard about him and hoped to see him perform some sign. But when Jesus gave him no replies, Herod treated him with contempt and mocked him and sent him away. Wicked Herod was merely curious about Jesus and uninterested in repenting of his sins. We should not test God like the Pharisees and Herod did. Jesus delights, however, in genuine seekers and is pleased to answer them.

“Whoever asks, receives,” and “whoever seeks, finds,” though the answer might not be instantaneous. Job, while doing nothing wrong, questioned for some time before the Lord answered him. Sometimes our answer is already readily available through Christ’s Church, and we should listen to him through her. But sometimes God, who is supremely brilliant and creative, will answer us through different avenues (though without contradicting himself). Sometimes his answer will come during prayer, or maybe through something we providentially see or hear, or perhaps through a friend or a stranger.

What are your questions for the Lord? I encourage you to ask him and keep your eyes and ears and heart open. If you’re seeking the truth and not seeking excuses; if you’re looking to love and serve Jesus better, pay Christ the compliment of approaching him as the One who knows all things and loves you. Blessed is the one who does so.

Posted in Discernment, Homily, Jesus Christ, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

Heralding the Best Path

December 7, 2025

2nd Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Victor Feltes

St. John the Baptist taught his hearers that the time had come for them to take action and change course. St. Matthew writes it was of John the Baptist the Prophet Isaiah spoke when he foretold of “a voice of one crying out in the desert,” saying, “Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed…” So what is this imagery about?

In ancient times, preceding a king’s journey somewhere, a messenger would be sent ahead to announce how people should get ready for the royal arrival. One practical task was to improve his road: removing rocks, filling potholes, and smoothing ruts. For the coming of the King of kings, Isaiah even envisions lowering mountains and raising valleys to form a straight and level highway. John the Baptist calls everyone to reevaluate our priorities to better prepare the way for encountering Christ.

An angel of the Lord had announced to the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, that John’s mission had an intergenerational component. John was to “turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” St. John, inspiring adults to seek the very best for children and to form them in godly ways, would “turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.” Today, I wish to inspire you to do the same for children now through our St. Paul’s Catholic Grade School.

We have an excellent Catholic school. For our most recent reaccreditation, administrators from four other Catholic schools thoroughly evaluated us and told us: “You have a beautiful school.” “[It’s] welcoming, faith-filled, and charming!” “[It’s] filled with excellent educational instruction.” “[There are] high expectations.” “The students are so well-mannered.” “[And there are] great relationships between teachers and students.” And all of them agreed, “We wish we could work at your school.”

Our highly-qualified teachers can provide one-on-one attention in a wholesome environment more like a family than a factory. And we have great young people who positively influence each other. Our reinvigorating new principal, Mr. Brad Cody, has been struck by our students’ respectfulness and politeness, noting how in all his time here he has yet to hear any student swear. Our behavioral expectations, our academic expectations, and our moral expectations are not found in many other schools today. St. Paul’s devoted teachers and substitutes who have taught in both worlds can attest to the differences in our Catholic school.

God and Christ’s teachings are not excluded here. We have daily prayer, weekly Mass, Confession, and seasonal devotions. Our students get to know Catholic clergy beyond just at Sunday Mass, like when we eat our excellent school lunches with them at their tables. Our littlest ones enjoy the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, which introduces Christianity to them in an engaging way on their level. And while people of all faiths are welcome at our school, the Catholic Faith is taught and lived.

Our 4K through 8th grade Catholic school prepares the way for the Lord without the rocks, ruts, and pitfalls found in other paths; a smooth and straight road for children to get to know Jesus Christ and walk forward with him together. So if you or your acquaintances have school-aged children, please work to get them enrolled here in 2026. Make a call, take a tour. School Choice makes tuition free at higher incomes than you would think. But even families who don’t qualify can receive grants and scholarships we offer, so do not imagine cost to be an obstacle. In addition to recruiting for our great school, I invite you to join our work in person. We could always use more playground supervisors, substitute teachers, or helpers in the library, office, or classrooms.

It’s not so much that our Catholic school has a mission, as our Catholic mission here in Bloomer has a school. Please help prepare the way for our Lord, make straight our children’s paths, by supporting our St. Paul’s Catholic School.

Posted in Childhood, Christian Perfection, Homily, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Two Stories of Conversion

November 29, 2025

1st Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Victor Feltes

At the beginning of this Advent, I would like to tell two stories of conversion. In the spring of 1521, while defending the city of Pamplona, Spain a 30-year-old soldier got his right leg fractured by a French cannonball. He would spend the next several months healing in his family’s castle. Convalescing in bed, day after day, he became extremely bored and asked for some adventure stories to read about knights and ladies. He liked those kinds of stories, but they didn’t have any of those in the house. His sister-in-law provided him a book about the life of Christ and another book of short stories about famous saints.

Sometimes he would read and reflect on what he read. Other times, he would daydream about worldly things. He would pause and consider, “What if I were to do what St. Francis or St. Dominic did?” And other times he would fantasize about being a heroic knight and wooing a certain royal lady in another land who was high above his station.

When he reflected on these worldly fantasies he felt intense pleasure; and whenever he stopped, sometimes hours later from weariness, he felt dry and depressed. Yet whenever he imagined living the rigorous sort of life the saints had lived, he not only experienced pleasure during such thoughts but felt great joy afterwards as well.

Eventually, he noticed this difference and realized how thoughts of one kind left him sad while the others filled him with joy. This was an important moment in his discernment, for he would go on to embrace God’s call to become a saint: St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Sin disappoints us, but goodness (though difficult) yields peace and satisfaction. We are attracted to our sins. Sins would not tempt us if there were no hope for pleasure, relief, or temporary gain from them. But after sinning, if our consciences are well-formed, we feel guilt and regret. What we have done or failed to do harms ourselves and others. And apart from the damages caused, sin squanders opportunities for better things. Yet God continues lovingly calling us back to repentance and conversion.

In the year 386, a 32-year-old man felt very drawn to Christianity but felt enslaved to his sins. It was as if the temptations he loved and despised were whispering, ‘Are you going to part with us? Do you really think you can live without these pleasures forever?’ But another voice had him imagine the smiling multitude of saints who had lived before him. That sweet voice seemed to say, ‘You can do what these men and women did, but none of them did it by themselves. The Lord God gave it to them. Why do you try to stand by your own strength, only to fall over and over again? Cast yourself on Christ and don’t be afraid. He won’t flinch and you won’t fall. Cast yourself on him without fear, for he will accept and heal you.’ Yet he was still torn; desiring chastity, but not yet.

His turning-point moment came sitting in a garden outside his house. With tears he asked, ‘Why do I keep delaying until tomorrow? Why not now? Why not end my uncleanness this very hour?’ Yet he still lacked the strength. Then he heard a child from the house next door, chanting over and over, “Pick it up and read it; pick it up and read it!” He opened the Bible beside him to a random page, finding Romans 13:13-14, part of today’s Second Reading:

“Let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.”

Upon reading those words, his heart was infused with a light of certainty and all the gloom of doubt vanished. By this God-given grace, the life of the man we now know as St. Augustine of Hippo began to change.

This Advent, I encourage you to heed Jesus’ warning to “stay awake” and “be prepared,” like the saints before us. Identify your vice and call upon Christ, come to Confession and change your habits, to begin anew in the saintly life he calls you to. Open your arms to receive this gift, his gift, for Christmas.

Posted in Homily, Saintly People, St. Augustine, St. Ignatius of Loyola, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Our Crucified King

November 23, 2025

Solemnity of Christ the King
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Our English word “Excruciating” comes from the Latin words for “Cross” and “Torment.” The Romans did not invent crucifixion, the Persians and the Greeks practiced it first, but the Romans more widely used the method. It was an easy way to execute people very visibly, horrifically, and slowly as a warning example to others. Typically, when the Romans crucified someone, they would place a sign above the condemned person’s head to indicate why they were being killed. St. John’s Gospel records that Governor Pilate put a sign on Jesus’ Cross written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. You sometimes see the initials “INRI” atop crucifixes. This represents the Latin phrase “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum,” the charge against our Lord. That is, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” He was killed because of who he was and who he is: Jesus the Christ and the King of the universe.

Of course, the people who killed him did not believe this. They thought he was deluded or a fraud. Hence, the triple call for him to save himself and prove them wrong. The Jewish rulers sneered and said, “Let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” The Roman soldiers jeered and called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” And one of the criminals reviled him by saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” Could Jesus have saved himself from his crucifixion?

St. John’s Gospel quotes Jesus before his Passion saying, “No one takes (my life) from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” And St. Matthew quotes Jesus later declaring in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?” So Jesus possessed the power to escape the Cross, but that was not the will or plan of God, which the Eternal Son was party to from the beginning. Jesus assumes “our bone and our flesh” to achieve our reconciliation as a descendant of David, “making peace by the blood of his Cross.” Perhaps the Holy Trinity could have inspired less painful prophecies to achieve our redemption and forgiveness of our sins, but Christ’s crucifixion is what they chose. They chose this path to win our love.

Matthew and Mark’s Gospels suggests that the Penitent Thief (traditionally known as St. Dismas) had derided Jesus, too, at first. But seeing the extraordinary way Jesus acted, hearing the things he said, all while crucified, won over that man’s mind and heart. ‘This man has done nothing criminal and this is how he dies? He truly knows my suffering and this is how he lives. This is the Christ I want to be allied with.’ St. And Luke quotes him saying, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

That movement saved the man’s soul, and we enjoy the benefit of understanding Jesus Christ even better than him. St. Paul writes that God “proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Be moved by this manifestation of God’s great love. Submit to Jesus Christ as your King so that he may be your Savior and one day we may all be with him in Paradise.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Jesus Christ, Love, Passion, Redemptive Suffering, Salvation, Salvation History, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

The River From The Temple

November 9, 2025

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
By Fr. Victor Feltes

This Sunday, the Church throughout the world celebrates the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, which turns 1,701 years old this year. While St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is more famous, the Lateran Basilica is the pope’s cathedral, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Rome. This is why the Lateran Basilica is called “the mother and head” of the hundreds of thousands of Catholic churches around the world. Even if we had to go forward without any of these beautiful buildings, we could still practice our Catholic Faith through celebrating the Sacraments and offering our lives and prayers to God. But for Jews during much of the Old Testament, only one building was their place for sacrificial worship and considered God’s holy dwelling place on earth. In today’s first reading, the Prophet Ezekiel is taken by an angel to that Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

Of this vision, Ezekiel writes: “I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the façade of the temple was toward the east; the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar.” Ezekiel records that trickling water flowing through the gates of the temple and out of the city into the east, somehow becoming a river. The angel declares, “This water flows… and empties into the sea, the salt waters [of the Dead Sea], which it makes fresh. Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.” Ezekiel’s mysterious vision of this miraculous river which purifies and renews, producing abundant life, is a prophesy which finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ and his Church.

In today’s Gospel, when Jesus forcefully clears out the animal sellers and money-changers from the temple area, the Jews ask him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” And Jesus answers, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews were incredulous at hearing this and said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years and you will raise it up in three days!?” But, as St. John the Gospel writer notes in the text, Jesus “was speaking about the temple of his Body.” After Jesus had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that Christ had said this and understood its significance.

On Good Friday, when the soldiers saw that Jesus was already dead on the Cross, one of them “thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” Today, physicians affirm that the traumas of Jesus’ Passion and death could cause red and clear fluids to build up in his chest around his heart, resulting in “blood and water” flowing out when the spear was withdrawn, just as St. John witnessed. Do we know into which side of Jesus’ body the spear entered — was it Jesus’ left side or his right side?

Recall how Ezekiel saw the water flowing out in his vision: “The façade of the temple was toward the east” and “the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar.” If Jesus on the Cross faces “east” like the front-face of the Jewish temple, then water coming down from the “south side of the temple (of his Body)” would be flowing from Christ’s right side. And 2,000-year-old forensic evidence may actually confirm this detail. The Shroud of Turin, which appears more likely than not to be an authentic image of Jesus’ body in the tomb, after accounting for the image’s mirror-reflective nature, shows a wound in Christ’s right side. St. Augustine and other Church Fathers recognize flowing from Christ’s side the water of baptism and the blood of the Eucharist. In the beginning, Adam was put into a deep sleep and God fashioned a bride for him from the rib of his side. Jesus Christ on the Cross, asleep in death, has his Bride the Church fashioned from his side through his Holy Sacraments. And when the nations are one day assembled before Christ the King, for the Final Judgment described in Matthew 25, it is the sheep gathered to his right side who will be saved.

Now that trickle from Christ’s side is become a mighty river of grace; purifying and renewing, generating abundant new life in whomever and wherever it flows. Faithful Christian people and places which grow close to that river and are fed by its waters shall endure and produce good growth, healing, and nourishment. We are blessed to enjoy this beautiful church, but wherever we worship our true temple and center of grace prepared for us by divine providence across millennia is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So with awe, reverence, gratitude, and love, let us turn to him and draw near to his Eucharistic sacrifice.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Passion, Sunday Homilies, Typology | Leave a Comment »

A Vision of the Saints in Heaven

November 1, 2025

Solemnity of All Saints
By Fr. Victor Feltes

On this All Saints’ Day, let us consider what we can look forward to living as saints in heaven one day. But first, how does one get to heaven?

At the moment of death, our immortal souls will separate from our mortal bodies and go immediately to our particular judgment. There we will be judged according to our faith and deeds in Christ, based upon our connection to Christ and our love of God and neighbor. Then our personal punishment or reward will begin: either immediate and everlasting damnation, or entrance into the everlasting blessedness of heaven —either immediately or after the purifying process of purgatory. One day, the dead will arise and the saints will experience a new heavens and new earth in their glorified resurrected bodies. But for now, the saints only experience heaven through their souls (with the Blessed Virgin Mary being a notable exception). When someday, by the grace of God, we are saints in heaven, here are some things we will enjoy.

One thing to look forward to is probably having a perfect memory. A colleague of the genius mathematician and physicist John von Neumann writes “one of his remarkable abilities was his power of absolute recall. …Von Neumann was able on once reading a book or article to quote it back verbatim; moreover, he could do it years later without hesitation. …. On one occasion I tested his ability by asking him to tell me how A Tale of Two Cities started. Whereupon, without any pause, he immediately began to recite the first chapter and continued until asked to stop after about ten or fifteen minutes.” If this is possible with a frail human brain, how much more knowledge could our unhindered souls retain?

Another perk of being a saint in heaven is great ease in doing whatever is best. When in the unveiled presence of God, “we shall see him as he is,” and discerning God’s will should be easy. And our perfected virtues will make it easy to do what is good and right, for we shall be “pure, as he is pure.”

Another extraordinary blessing in heaven is having innumerable friends. In St. John’s vision of heaven he beholds “a great multitude which no one could count from every nation, race, people, and tongue.” Every saint in heaven has become an incredible person perfected in Christ’s beatitudes and love. There will be no lack of time to get to know people and with your perfect memory you’ll never forget anyone’s name or stories.

Yet the greatest joy in heaven is the beatific vision of God. Sometimes people worry the restful reward of seeing God and worshipping him forever will be dull. Don’t worry, heaven will never be boring. Every good and beautiful thing in Creation which you have ever delighted in has its origin in God who is supremely good, beautiful, and delightful. You have yet to fully exhaust the joys to be experienced in just one culture in one country in one century of human history, so do not imagine you will exhaust the joys to be found in our infinite God.

These are things to look forward to someday in heaven, but on this All Saints’ Day I wish to remind you that the saints in heaven know us and love us now. Yesterday, an online friend shared with me a beautiful story about the intercession of the saints and he has given me permission to share his story with you.

In January of 2018, his father suffered a massive heart attack at home. In the Emergency Room, they were able to restart his heart, but there was almost 100% arterial blockage and likely serious brain damage from the lack of oxygen. Some of the best doctors in the world could do nothing more to help. So the next day, all the family gathered to share final moments as they withdrew the mechanical life support. My friend writes:

I remember sitting in the room, in the cardiology unit there, praying my brains out for a miracle, as he lay dying. Just focused on nothing else but praying, praying, praying. Eyes closed, focused on nothing else. Praying, praying, praying for some miracle. And then I suddenly wasn’t in the hospital room anymore.

I was sitting on a bench in what to me appeared to be a huge football stadium, or more like a Roman circus (those long chariot tracks), stretching further in each direction than I could see (even the opposite side was so far away I couldn’t see it). And every seat was filled with people, all dressed differently (though most of them were in robes, in the section I was in), and all praying in different languages.

Their prayers collectively seemed like a buzzing, or the sound of a waterfall, because they were individually indistinct—countless voices all praying at once. But it was clear that each one of them were praying, non-stop, for me, my dad, and for everybody in the world.

And it was in that instant that it was told to me that I could stop praying—(“Look, all these Saints have the whole ‘praying for your dad’ thing covered for the moment…”)—and use the few moments my dad had left with us to just be with him, hold his hand, tell him that I love him and say goodbye to him. So that’s what I did. And I’m very grateful to this day that I did.

Why was my friend’s vision of the saints set in a long racetrack stadium? I recognize in this a reference to the Letter to Hebrews, which says, “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” So be sure to befriend the saints and call upon them, because they know you, and they love you, and they eagerly want you to join their number.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Feast Day Homilies, Heaven, Homily, Last Things, Saintly People, Sunday Homilies | 1 Comment »

How The Pharisee Fell Short

October 26, 2025

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

When the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable went up to the temple, he stood and spoke this prayer to himself: “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.” And yet, Jesus tells us that this Pharisee did not go home justified, or righteous in God’s sight. Why is that?

When the Pharisee said ‘I am not like the rest of humanity — I am not greedy, dishonest, or adulterous…’ was it true that he had conquered sin? Very likely not. Psalm 130 rhetorically asks, “If you, O Lord, should mark our iniquities, who could stand?” And the Gospels record Jesus criticizing the Pharisees repeatedly, saying things like “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.” But assuming this Pharisee quietly spoke his prayer to himself in a way which no one else could hear, why would he lie? Maybe he believed everything he said.

When we compare ourselves to others, like this Pharisee compared himself to the tax collector, we can imagine the great faults of others make our own faults unimportant. But just because somebody else is ten billion dollars in debt doesn’t mean that I am solvent. My own debts still remain. Some people accuse and make much of others’ sins because they are projecting at others what they dislike in themselves. It is much easier to condemn the faults in others than to change the faults in me.

Another phenomenon common to people and cultures is to condemn a person or group for the problems of the day. Sometimes, these are merely scapegoats for shifting blame. At other times, particular persons really are at fault and should be corrected or stopped. But we should not imagine that we can banish, purge, and kill our way to earthly paradise. Even after the Great Flood in Genesis, sinners disembarked from Noah’s ark. As the Christian Russian dissident and winner of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, famously wrote: “If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”

The Pharisee’s heart was probably not so pure of sin as he thought. He needed Jesus Christ to cleanse and heal and change it. But imagine if it really were true that the Pharisee was unlike the rest of humanity; not greedy, not dishonest, and not adulterous. Why then did this Pharisee not go home justified before God? What more did he lack?

Our Gospel tells us Jesus addressed today’s parable “to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.” The Pharisee looked down on that tax collector and despised him with contempt. Greed, dishonesty, and adultery are hateful things, but Jesus forbids us from hating anyone. Jesus says you will be hated, you will have enemies, but he commands you to “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” If there is ever people you may be hating, be sure to pray for them (since you cannot pray for someone — willing their good — and hate them at the same time). Otherwise, when you die and you see someone whom you hate on the other side of the pearly gates, you might refuse to enter into Heaven.

Without ever denying right and wrong, without ceasing to share the truth, we must remain humble as sinners living among sinners. ‘For whoever exalts himself amongst others will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’ That’s some food for prayerful thought today as we stand to pray in this temple and go back to our homes in the world.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Homily, Humility, Parables, Repentance, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Strength For Your Mission

October 20, 2025

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Deacon Dick Kostner

Our readings for this Sunday provide us with a way to restore our bodies when we are too tired to continue. Our first reading from the Book of Exodus has Moses engaged in a battle with an enemy of Israel. Moses tells his commander not to fear the enemy, for he will ensure success in the mission by holding his hands up to God and praying for help. The battle goes well until he becomes tired of holding his hands up, and when he lowers them, the enemy prevails. With the help of two men to hold his hands up, they are then successful. The lesson for us here is that when we become tired and unable to go on with a task, we need to look to and pray to God, who will provide us with friends to help give us the support we need to be successful.

In our second reading from the Letter of Paul to Timothy, we find that Timothy has grown tired of trying to teach others. Paul reminds him that God has given him the tools to be successful in his vocation and that all he has to do is request strength through prayer and have patience with others for God to help give him the strength to continue and be successful.

Finally, in our Gospel from Luke, Jesus teaches his disciples through a parable to pray always when they feel overwhelmed and weary, for it is through a higher power that they will be able to find relief and success in their vocation in life. Sometimes, it will seem like God has ignored your prayers, but through persistence, God will grant support to be successful in the mission assigned to them.

We have all received from God his “wish list” for living out our life in this world. The problem is that because of the gift of freewill, God only suggests to us what would make him happy with how we actually live our lives. It is up to us to either listen and respond to his wish list for us or to spend our short time here on earth as we want and desire to live it. I have found that in most cases, when God suggests that I do something, many times I feel he has asked the wrong person for that job. Fear steps in, and the guy with horns reinforces my fears and tells me that I am right and that God has made a mistake.

I can remember when I was in my last year of Deacon Formation, before I would be ordained, I asked my friend Fr. Frank Corradi if he would be my Sponsor and Director for that last year. He looked at me, and I saw a “deer in the headlights” look in his eyes. I could tell he was trying to come up with a reason why he couldn’t oblige me, but God stepped in, his eyes softened, and he agreed.

One of the first things he directed me to do was to spend time that summer with a parishioner of his who had been diagnosed with cancer and was dying. He told me that it would be good for me to experience what the last days of someone’s life are like. Now, you need to realize that I was always afraid of death and wanted to get it out of my mind. I had even drafted a will for myself that said I did not want my wife to have any funeral for me and that I wanted to be buried within twenty-four hours of death. My thoughts were that this would make it easier for Barb and my son. The quicker, the better for everyone. Well, now it was my turn to have “deer in the headlights” eyes for Fr. Frank. What goes around comes around. I gulped hard and said, “OK.”

I spent every Tuesday morning that summer getting to know “Bill” and his wife (not his real name). We would have coffee together, and I would do a Communion Service for him and his wife. We got to be good friends, and one day I received a call from his wife telling me that he had died. She asked if I would do the Wake service for him, which I did. It was that assignment that Fr. Frank gave me that changed my way of thinking about death. I learned that people of faith are seldom afraid of death and that funerals are necessary for people to say, “Goodbye and see you later.”

My advice to you folks is that when you are asked by God to do something for him, and you bear those “deer in the headlights” eyes, just gulp hard and say, “OK!” (P.S.: God usually will surprise you with a “thank you” gift.)

Posted in Homily, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Pray Without Ceasing

October 18, 2025

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Once upon a time, the pope summoned his Vatican chauffeur. When his driver had brought the car around, the Holy Father confided, “Ever since I got elected pope, I have sorely missed not driving anymore. Please, sit in the backseat and let me take the wheel.” The chauffeur reluctantly agreed and the pope was beaming with joy. But soon the Holy Father accidentally went the wrong way down an empty one-way street and got pulled over by City of Rome police. An officer approached their vehicle intending to write them a ticket, but after a brief chat he soon returned to his partner waiting in the squad car. His partner asked, “What, no ticket? Who’s riding in that limo?” “I don’t know, but whoever it is he must be really important—the pope is his chauffeur!”

Jesus (although in a much sounder, wiser way than this) also speaks from the lesser to the greater. This classic mode of rhetoric argues that something true in a smaller case is surely true for the larger case as well. For example, Jesus says a “person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.” Elsewhere, he points out: “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. … So do not be afraid, [for] you are worth more than many sparrows!” And on another occasion, Jesus tells us: “If you, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him!”

Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater in today’s Parable of the Unjust Judge. This bad judge does not care about justice. He neither fears God nor respects any human being. However, we see a widow wear him down to give her what she rightfully asks for through her dogged persistence. Jesus says, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.” If a wicked judge with a heart of stone will eventually give in to a poor, weak widow, then, as Jesus argues, “will not God secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.” Unlike that unjust and indifferent judge, God is just and cares about us deeply, so we ought to ask God for good things and keep asking without becoming weary.

Our Sunday lectionary reinforces this lesson in today’s first reading. During the Exodus, when the Israelites entered a battle against the Amalekites, Moses climbed a hill overlooking the battlefield carrying the staff of God that had split the Red Sea. As long as Moses held that wooden staff raised above his head, Israel had the better of the fight. But whenever Moses let his tired arms rest, their enemy had the better of the fight. This scene prefigures Jesus’ crucifixion upon the hill of Calvary, where Christ’s arms upraised on the wooden Cross bring victory over our enemies. Just as Jesus had support from John the Apostle and the Virgin Mary and others at the Cross, so Moses had Aaron and Hur supporting his arms until the day was done and the battle was won. So who can support you in the battle of prayer? I can recommend spiritual allies divine, angelic, and human.

How often do we lack motivation to pray or, once beginning to praying, lack enthusiasm, inspiration, or insight? “We do not know how to pray as we ought,” but if we ask the Holy Spirit himself to help us to pray he will come to the aid of our weakness. Each of us is also accompanied by at least one sinless, loving, brilliant, and powerful guardian angel tasked by God to help us be saints. Ask your guardian angel to help you pray more faithfully and fervently. And finally, we have fellow Christians to help us. There are saints in heaven to intercede for us and people around us to pray with us, encourage us, and help keep us accountable. Ask the Holy Spirit, your guardian angels, other Christians to help you pray better.

Jesus expresses the necessity for us to pray always without becoming weary. St. Alphonsus Liguori, a doctor (or great teacher) of the Church, believed enduring in prayer is key to our salvation. St. Alphonsus said: “He who prays is certainly saved; he who does not pray is certainly damned. All the saints in heaven, except infants, were saved because they prayed; and all the damned in hell were damned because they did not pray, and this is their greatest torment to see how easily they could have been saved, had they prayed, and that now the time for prayer is over.” Jesus asked whether when he comes again he find faith on earth? If we keep on praying, he at least will find us faithful.

Posted in Homily, Persistent Widow, Sunday Homilies, Typology | Leave a Comment »

Two Lessons from the Ten Lepers

October 12, 2025

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

I want to highlight two lessons from this Sunday’s Gospel which could greatly bless your life and soul. When ten lepers meet Jesus at the edge of a village, they keep a respectful distance from him. (Their skin disease made them religiously unclean and people feared them as being contagious.) The lepers shout out: “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” Jesus sees them and tells them, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” (The Old Covenant had a ritual for declaring lepers clean involving a physical inspection by a priest and a sacrifice.)

So the ten depart as they are commanded to by Christ and as they are going their skin diseases are cleansed. Notice how the lepers were not cleansed right away—they were not healed the moment Jesus spoke to them. They were going when they were healed, maybe miles away from Jesus when it happened. In this miracle, they were healed while walking in obedience.

Many blessings in our faith are only experienced once we step out in obedience. First we do what Jesus asks of us, in response to his grace which goes before and follows after us, and then we see its fruits in our lives. As you read this list of examples, which one or two are meant for you to add into your life?

• Daily prayer
• Consistent Sunday Mass-going
• Keeping Sunday rest
• Generous tithing
• Forgiving enemies
• Staying sober
• Volunteering
• Practicing chastity
• Being open to life
• Living more simply
• Regular confession
• Eucharistic adoration
• Going on a spiritual retreat or pilgrimage
• Entering a seminary, convent, or monastery
• Attending weekday Mass
• Praying the Rosary

Embracing one or two of these according to God’s will shall bless you and your loved ones. This Sunday’s Gospel story also suggests another valuable lesson.

One of those ten lepers happens to be a Samaritan, and once he realizes he has been healed, he goes back to Jesus. Glorifying God in a loud voice, he falls at Jesus’ feet and thanks him. Jesus says in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he tells the newly cured man, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

Jesus informs us that all ten lepers were cured. But consider this: eventually, each of those lepers died. Even if it was many years later from some cause of death other than a skin disease, every one of them died. Their healings were a great thing, but not the most important thing. The Samaritan’s healing produced in him great gratitude toward Jesus Christ and God the Father. He eventually lost the gift of good health, but his relationship with God could endure forever.

Some people only pray to God when they need something. But for Christ to fix our problems without us engaging in deeper relationship and gratitude towards him profits us little. Do not be one of those who are locked outside the door to whom the Master of the House will say, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.” It is good for us to say, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us,” like the ten lepers did. But let us always remember gratitude and relationship with the Giver of all good gifts.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Gratitude, Homily, Jesus Christ, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

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