Sunday Reflections

A Great Sign

By Fr. Jeff | 12/18/2022

In our first reading today (4th Sunday of Advent Year A), the Lord offers a sign to King Ahaz. He tells Ahaz, “let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!” Ahaz can ask for any sign,…

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The Day is at Hand

By Fr. Jeff | 11/27/2022

In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks the coming of the Son of Man. Noah had been commissioned by the Lord to build an ark. The people did not know that a great flood was coming. “They were eating and drinking, marrying…

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You Matter to God

By Fr. Jeff | 10/30/2022

At times we may feel like no one is listening, that no one cares about us. We might feel like we do not matter. We feel small and insignificant. How can little old me matter to God. After all, “Before…

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Be Persistent in Prayer

By Fr. Jeff | 10/16/2022

It is necessary for us “to pray always without become weary.” Today Jesus tells a parable of a woman who persists in her request. She is awaiting a decision from a judge. The judge, “who neither feared God nor respected…

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Our Loving God

By Fr. Jeff | 09/11/2022

Many people tend to see the portrayal of God in the Old Testament as of a God is punishing, bestowing his wrath upon all who break his commandments. Our first reading today from Exodus begins with a God who is…

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The Cost of Discipleship

By Fr. Jeff | 09/04/2022

“Great crowds were traveling with Jesus.” Maybe they had seen him cure people. Maybe they saw him drive out demons. Maybe they had heard him preach and wanted to hear more. What does it mean to truly follow Jesus? How…

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Will Only a Few People be Saved?

By Fr. Jeff | 08/21/2022

Someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” What we all really want to know is how hard is it to be saved? Will my family and friends be saved? Will I will saved? Speaking through the…

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19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

By Fr. Jeff | 08/07/2022

It is no secret that we live in a world with suffering and challenges. We may feel like we are being put to the test in our sufferings. We may fear some of the challenges we face in the world.…

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Lord, Teach Us How to Pray

By Fr. Jeff | 07/24/2022

Last Sunday, we heard of Abraham’s hospitality to the Lord. At that point, Abraham did not know it was the Lord. Now (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C) the Lord says to Abraham, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah…

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Seeking the Lord

By Fr. Jeff | 07/10/2022

God had called Moses to lead his people from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. Our first reading today (15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C) comes just before Moses dies prior to the Israelites entering the promised land.…

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Do We Understand What It is We Receive?

By Fr. Jeff | 06/19/2022

“In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine” to Abram (who would become known as Abraham). This was ordinary bread and wine. One day Jesus will offer something far greater than ordinary bread and wine. As…

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A Time of Distress

By Fr. Jeff | 05/08/2022

As we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter in Year C, our first reading continues to come from the Acts of the Apostles. The Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the early church. In chapter 2 the disciples…

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Handing Our Sins to God

By Fr. Jeff | 04/03/2022

There are numerous stories in the Bible. I would consider today’s (Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year C) gospel of the woman caught in adultery as one that many people remember. You may remember it but how much do you reflect…

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The 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year C

By Fr. Jeff | 03/20/2022

Since I am not preaching this Sunday, rather than offer a “homily” here today, I would like to offer brief thoughts on the meaning behind some of the verses in the readings today (Third Sunday of Lent Year C) ,…

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Living Our Faith in a Secular World

By Fr. Jeff | 03/06/2022

Our first reading today is taken from the Book of Deuteronomy. The Israelites were preparing to cross into the promised land. It has been a long time since Jacob brought his family to Egypt in a time of drought. They…

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Are We Really Supposed to Love our Enemies?

By Fr. Jeff | 02/20/2022

As Jesus continues his Sermon on the Plain, today’s gospel begins, “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.“ Are we really supposed to love our enemies?…

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God’s Calling

By Fr. Jeff | 02/06/2022

We are all called to be disciples of Jesus. We are all called to serve God in some way. In today’s readings we hear three call narratives. It begins with the call of Isaiah in our first reading. Isaiah is…

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The Importance of God’s Word

By Fr. Jeff | 01/23/2022

God’s Word is important. God’s Word helps us know how we are called to live. Unfortunately, we don’t always listen. If we do hear it, we don’t always pay attention. This was true for the Israelites. Through revelation, the Law,…

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The Baptism of the Lord

By Fr. Jeff | 01/09/2022

With this Sunday’s celebration of the Baptism of the Lord our Christmas season ends. Christmas is a time of great hope. We hear the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth, we see Jesus laying in the manger, and our hearts are…

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The Feast of the Holy Family

By Fr. Jeff | 12/26/2021

With Christmas falling on Saturday this year, after spending my time this week preparing a Christmas homily, I am grateful that one of our deacons preached today (Sunday) as we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary,…

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There is Hope

By Fr. Jeff | 12/19/2021

In today’s first reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C, Micah offers the Israelites hope during a difficult time. It is written following the fall on the northern kingdom. The Israelites are worried what is going to happen…

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Gaudete Sunday – A Time to Rejoice

By Fr. Jeff | 12/12/2021

Today (December 12, 2021) we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, Year C. The normal liturgical color for Advent is violet (we often say purple). We use the color violent as a sign of penance, especially in Lent. Thinking of…

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Preparing for the Coming

By Fr. Jeff | 11/28/2021

Soon we will celebrate the first Coming of Jesus with our Christmas season. Christmas is too important to celebrate with just a single day. We celebrate Christmas a season that begins with our Christmas Masses and lasts until we celebrate…

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The Hour Draws Closer

By Fr. Jeff | 11/14/2021

Our liturgical year in the church is drawing to a close. In two weeks we will begin a new year with the First Sunday of Advent. As we draw this year to a close, our readings turn to the end…

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Why the Commandments Are Good

By Fr. Jeff | 10/31/2021

Our gospel reading and the first reading for this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) speak of God’s commandments. We think in terms of 10 commandments. The Jews list 613 commandments with the 10 being the most important and…

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