Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church: Catholic Sunday Homilies

Homilia XXVI Domingo Tiempo Ordinario (Mt 21:28-32)

homilia del padre Carlos

God's Ways are Not Ours: Our Blindness Robs us of Experiencing God's Blessings (Mt 20:1-16) (25 OT)

This parable, of the workers who arrive in the last hour getting paid the same as those who've worked all day, appears to our human way of thinking to see the owner (God) behaving unjustly, but after the explanation offered, we see it correctly, it is not God being unjust, but Generous.  How many other situations in our real life, do we look at similarly, and grumble to God about, thus failing to see His Blessings on us and others?   But this parable also has a difficult challenge; could it be that we are the ones in this passage who are actually idle; whom God is still inviting into His Vineyard??? Those in the vineyard are asked to do God's work; that is to similarly seek out those who need to receive God's Generosity.

Homilia XXV Domingo Tiempo Ordinario

Homilia de Padre Carlos

Fraternal Correction AND Support to Make the Church a Better Witness (Mt 18:15-20)(23 OT)

Today's readings are very challenging pointing out to us our RESPONSIBILITY to point out to others when they are sinning. We don't like to do this, but we are called to and Jesus helps us to make the process more loving.  The Church does have a teaching function, called the Magisterium, which is an authentic teacher for all of us, calling us to see our sins, repent and form our consciences. But the goal is always to be a more loving and united church. We should also use the authority of the church to pray with and encourage others, maybe then we will find we need to correct less often. 

Homilia del XXIII Domingo Tiempo Ordinario (Mt 18:15-20)

Homilia del padre Carlos.

What is the Prophetic Word for Today's World? (Mt 16:21-27)(22 OT)

Peter is chastised by Jesus, while just last week Jesus praised Peter. God does both to those He loves. He loves us where we are, but loves us too much to leave us where we are!  He wants to help  us see our lives and the world more like He does. The first reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah. What is the Prophetic word for today's troubled times? The way of Jesus that Peter does not understand, is the way of the Cross.  Suffering, if we draw closer to Christ, can lead to New Life, and Resurrection. God has throughout history at times chastised His people, allowing suffering to bring them back to Himself. Perhaps that is what God is doing. If so, how can we respond?

Homilia XXII Domingo Tiempo Ordinario (Mt 16:21-27)

Homilia del Padre Carlos

Jesus asks the Question that for us is the Rock to Build a Life. (Mt 16:13-20) (21 OT)

Jesus asks Peter and the disciples; "Who do you say I am?" Than Jesus says you are Rock on which I will build my church.  This also is the fundamental question we must answer to wisely answer "What will I do with my life".  But this passage goes further. We see Jesus intended to build a "called community" the Church, he established it on the foundation of the Apostles, and gave it Authority. We sometimes think of the Church as optional, as long as we "Believe in Jesus".  But if we believe in Jesus we also follow His will, which is to establish and build His Church. That too is our vocation, our call, each in our own way. 

Homilia Domingo XXI Tiempo Ordinario (Mt 16:13-20)

Homila del padre Carlos

PUSH: Pray Until Something Happens (Mt 15:21-28) (20 OT)

A pagan woman who was not supposed to approach Jesus, has the faith and love of her daughter to do so anyway, despite what seems like a rebuff from Jesus. Her great faith in the midst of opposition, and even when at first not being heard by God, is an example for all of us of the power of persistence in prayer, believing that God will hear, and do - if not what we ask - but SOMETHING! And in that process we will experience the power of God increasing our Faith, Hope and Love.