Ordinary Time

Christ showed us that suffering and death, hatred and violence, do not have the last word. He did so not by eliminating or fighting or destroying them, but by accepting and transforming them. That’s why we celebrate the cross: not because it is good, but because through the cross we have also received the power to transform suffering and death. When we respond to hatred with love and violence with peace, when we forgive those who do evil against us, we join Christ in pouring forth love in the face of evil, and it is this love that we celebrate today: the love that Christ poured out in response to the violence of the cross. There is no greater expression of love than the cross, and that is why it is central to our faith.
 
Readings at this Mass: Nm 21:4b–9 | Phil 2:6–11 | Jn 3:13–17

Putting Jesus first – yes, even above family – keeps everything in the right order and fills our lives with God's love and wisdom. This actually strengthens the love of spouses, families, and all of our relationships! Making Christ the top priority brings lasting peace and joy — but to do this, we must be deliberate about our priorities. May we all have the grace to rightly order our lives, let go of those possessions that posses us, and put Christ first.
 
Readings at this Mass: Wis 9:13–18b | Phlm 9–10, 12–17 | Lk 14:25–33 

When we de-center ourselves and re-center God, that’s when life becomes exciting and unpredictable and full of purpose — because God is exciting and unpredictable and purposeful. It’s liberating when we discover this! And it is a reminder that, at the end of the day, when our time comes, the most important thing that can be said about us is, “Here was a child of God, who was loved by God.”
 
Readings at this Mass: Sir 3:17–18, 20, 28–29  |  Heb 12:18–19, 22–24a  |  Lk 14:1, 7–14 

Jesus’ response to our complaints, our preoccupation with everyone and everything else, is 'What about you?'. Don’t worry about them. You strive to enter through the narrow gate. You come and follow me. You be my disciple. The essence of being a Catholic Christian is transformation: bringing that relationship with Christ into everything else I do. If I’m only focused on the things I do or everyone else around me, I miss the most important thing: the relationship Christ is inviting me into.
 
Readings at this Mass: Is 66:18–21 | Heb 12:5–7, 11–13 | Lk 13:22–30

Jesus is not tame; He is God. And His peace is not like that of the world. Today's Gospel demonstrates that He knew that following Him would cause division. But following Him will also set your heart on fire with the Holy Spirit — filling you with joy beyond understand and providing hope that, no matter what befalls us, He's got us.
 
Readings at this Mass: Jer 38:4–6, 8–10 | Heb 12:1–4 | Lk 12:49–53 

True readiness for when Jesus comes again is about having a real, living relationship with Him. To abide with Him. And as we grow in that loving relationship, our hearts are moved to love and serve our families and neighbors, the poor and lonely. That’s how we keep our lamps lit and our hearts ready for the day when Jesus returns.
 
Readings at this Mass: Wis 18:6–9 | Heb 11:1–2, 8–19 | Lk 12:32–48

Our culture makes it hard to slow down. Depending on your stage of life, it might feel nearly impossible — jobs, kids, commitments, constant demands. So what’s the solution? Learn from the life of Jesus. Live at his speed — not a rushed speed, not a distracted pace. Can you picture Jesus cutting people off in traffic, or glued to his phone while talking to someone? Of course not! And as disciples, we are called to conform our lives to His: to slow down, to live attentively.
 
Click here to watch "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry"
 
Readings at this Mass: Eccl 1:2; 2:21–23 | Col 3:1–5, 9–11 | Lk 12:13–21

Fr. Bill has an unexpected conversation with God about the Lord’s Prayer.
 
Readings at this Mass: Gn 18:20–32 | Col 2:12–14 | Lk 11:1–13