Ad Jesum per Mariam

Love and The Cross: Why Christ Gave His Life Today’s Homily focuses on the Gospel parable of the tenants (Matthew 21:33–46), . . . . . . emphasizing that the foundation of Christ’s sacrifice is God’s love, not simply human sin. The landowner in the parable represents God, who lovingly prepares the vineyard and entrusts it to tenants. Despite the tenants’ violence toward the servants and even the son, the landowner’s patience reveals God’s enduring trust that people can change and bear fruit. Why Christ Gave His Life The message of Lent is that God loves humanity so deeply that He sends His Son, inviting conversion rather than immediate judgment. The Homily also recalls the story of Joseph and his brothers, showing how jealousy arises from comparison, leading to division and sin. Recognizing God’s personal love for each of us frees us from jealousy and calls us to respond with the fruits God desires: charity, patience, forgiveness, and faithful living. Listen to: Love and The Cross: Why Christ Gave His Life Listen to this Meditation Media ------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Christ Crucified: Spanish Painter: Diego Velázquez: 1632

The Reluctant Prophet: The Frightening Greatness of Mercy This conference focuses on the meaning of repentance and God’s mercy during Lent, . . . . . . using the Book of Jonah as a mirror for the human heart. When God calls Jonah to preach repentance to the wicked city of Nineveh, Jonah flees because he suspects that God might forgive them. His flight symbolizes how people often resist God’s will, cling to resentment, and struggle with the idea that mercy might extend even to their enemies. Through humorous and ironic events . . . Jonah fleeing by ship, being thrown into the sea, swallowed by a great fish, and finally preaching reluctantly . . . scripture reveals both the stubbornness of the human heart and the persistence of God’s grace. Jonah’s preaching leads the people of Nineveh to sincere repentance, and God spares the city, which angers Jonah because he prefers justice without mercy. Why? The conference further explains. The book of Jonah concludes with God challenging Jonah’s narrowness of heart. If Jonah can care about a small plant that gives him comfort, should not God care for the thousands of people in Nineveh who do not yet understand right from wrong? Jesus himself says, this generation will only receive the sign of Jonah. What Does That Mean? The conference then turns to Jesus Christ, who contrasts with Jonah. While Jonah runs from his mission and resents mercy, Christ willingly comes into the world and gives His life for sinners. Jesus fulfills the “sign of Jonah”: just as Jonah spent three days in the fish, Christ spends three days in the tomb, but unlike Jonah, He enters death to rescue humanity. Hear more within the conference! The central Lenten message is that God’s mercy is wider and more generous than human expectations. We are called not only to seek forgiveness through repentance and confession, but also to accept the radical scope of God’s mercy . . . even toward those they find hardest to forgive. Listen to this third devotional Lenten Retreat Conference and let it transform your heart. Listen to: The Reluctant Prophet: The Frightening Greatness of Mercy ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: This marks the Third Friday of the current Lenten Season, featuring special formation conferences covering a range of seasonal topics. Select the Friday Lenten Season Link on the QoAH website to see all conferences captured to date. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Christ Carrying the Cross: Italian Painter: Giovanni Bellini: 1500 The painting presents a quiet, intimate moment. Christ is shown close to the viewer, transforming the scene into a personal encounter . . . a call to contemplation and compassion. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- You can find out more about the icon referenced in the conference . . . when Jesus reaches down to pull Adam and Eve from Hell . . . links and the icon image appear on the QoAH website.

From the Roadside to the Roadway: True Freedom of Life and Spirit This Lenten retreat centers on Jesus as the Light who seeks us out . . . . . . and invites us into deeper conversion. Using the story of the healing of the blind beggar, the conference emphasizes that the spiritual life is not primarily about our search for God, but about God’s relentless search for us. From the beginning of salvation history, God takes the initiative, calling humanity into relationship and asking for a response of faith. Lent, therefore, is a time of intentional discipline . . . prayer, fasting, and sacrifice . . . not as punishment, but to rediscover what truly matters and to remove whatever “blinds” us spiritually. Sin is described as a kind of blindness that prevents us from seeing reality, God’s presence, and the path to fullness of life. Seeing the Face of Christ: Perseverance, Faith, and the Light of Conversion Like the blind man who cries out despite opposition, believers must persevere even when enthusiasm fades or when others discourage their commitment. Following Christ always involves resistance and ultimately leads to the Cross; yet the Cross is not the end but the path to salvation. Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?”, becomes the central personal challenge of Lent. Each person must answer honestly, ask for spiritual sight, and choose to follow Christ with faith. When one truly “sees” the face of Christ, one cannot help but follow Him. The candle-lighting and procession to the crucifix symbolize this journey: moving from darkness to light, from blindness to faith, and from intention to committed discipleship. For listeners to this conference, place a cross in your hand, and meditate on your response to Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?”. As you gaze upon His face commit your Lenten Season to Following Him. Listen to this second devotional Lenten Retreat Conference and let it transform your heart. Listen to: From the Roadside to the Roadway: True Freedom of Life and Spirit ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Christ Carrying the Cross: Italian Painter: Giovanni Bellini: 1500 The painting presents a quiet, intimate moment. Christ is shown close to the viewer, transforming the scene into a personal encounter . . . a call to contemplation and compassion.

Jesus Tells Us: Follow Me Out of the Darkness Today’s Homily contrasts mere compliance with true obedience in the spiritual life, . . . . . . especially during Lent. Compliance is external, minimal, and checklist-driven . . . doing what is required without interior conversion. Obedience, however, is transformative: it allows God’s commands to shape the heart, form character, and open a person to charity, generosity, and deeper union with Him. Practices such as prayer, fasting, Sabbath observance, and almsgiving are not ends in themselves. When done only outwardly, they are empty. Their purpose is to redirect the believer away from self-absorption and toward love of God and neighbor, forming a heart capable of mercy. Lent is Thus a Journey Fasting should lead to generosity; prayer should reshape desire; rest should become rest in God, not mere inactivity. This teaching echoes the prophetic call found in the Book of Isaiah. The Gospel image of Jesus calling Levi (Matthew) illustrates this movement vividly. Levi sits enclosed in a tax booth . . . symbolizing the human tendency to cling to security, ambition, resentment, or comfort. Christ’s command, “Follow me,” is not a suggestion but a liberating summons to step out of spiritual confinement. Lent is thus a journey of following Christ out of darkness toward the joy of Easter, where He leads His people “home” into communion, celebration, and true rest . . . an invitation also expressed in Gospel of Matthew. Ultimately, salvation may be characterized as entering God’s rest: a life no longer ruled by self-will, but transformed into the likeness of Christ through prayer, sacrifice, and charity. Hear more within the Homily. Listen to Jesus Tells Us: Follow Me Out of the Darkness ------------------------------------------------------------------ Art Work The Calling Of Saint Matthew: Dutch painter: Hendrick Ter Brugghen: 1621 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Why was this image selected: Matthew’s hesitation and awakening, mirroring the sermon’s image of Christ entering the “customs booth” of the human heart to lead it into light.

First Lenten Retreat: The Works of Lent: Growth Toward a Generous Spirit During each Friday of the Lenten Season, there will be a Lenten Retreat Conference. This is the first week within this series. Each conference will appear singularly on the Website, SoundCloud, Facebook and iPod platforms. All conferences will also appear within this post. This Retreat explains that Lent has a deliberate spiritual structure rooted in early Church practice. While many people think of Lent mainly as “giving something up,” the Church intends something deeper: a transformation of the heart through the three traditional works of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Historically, Ash Wednesday was added later as a gateway into Lent, orienting believers toward repentance and renewal. In the ancient Church . . . especially in Rome . . . seasonal fasts (later called Ember Days) connected spiritual life to the rhythms of agriculture: planting, growth, harvest, and sharing food with those in need. These fasts were communal, not private, and included processions, vigils, ordinations, and acts of charity. The faithful prayed not only for themselves but for crops, the poor, catechumens preparing for baptism, and new ministers of the Church. The Retreat stresses that Lenten practices are not about quantity (“doing more”) but quality and intention: • Prayer asks for whom and how we pray, deepening attentiveness to God. • Fasting reveals what we truly hunger for, disciplines disordered desires, and fosters solidarity with the poor. • Almsgiving is the goal toward which prayer and fasting lead . . . self-gift in imitation of Christ. True fasting expands the heart; true prayer changes behavior; true charity gives not just possessions but oneself. Lent therefore trains Christians to move from self-centeredness to sacrificial love, mirroring Christ’s own self-emptying. Ultimately, charity endures above all virtues and becomes the visible sign of authentic faith. Listen to this first devotional Lenten Retreat Conference and let it transform your heart. Join us virtually, or physically, each week for additional Lenten Retreat conferences. Listen to: The Works of Lent: Growth Toward a Generous Spirit --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Christ Carrying the Cross: Italian Painter: Giovanni Bellini: 1500 The painting presents a quiet, intimate moment. Christ is shown close to the viewer, transforming the scene into a personal encounter . . . a call to contemplation and compassion.

Jesus Tells Us: Be Opened: From Silence to Faith In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus travels through the pagan region . . . . . . of Decapolis, near the Sea of Galilee, where a man who is deaf and unable to speak is brought to him. Jesus takes the man away from the crowd, touches his ears and tongue, looks to heaven, and says “Be opened.” The man is immediately healed and begins to hear and speak clearly. Though Jesus asks for silence, the people proclaim the miracle with amazement. Drawing on the teaching of Saint Augustine, the Homily explains that Christ’s actions are never merely physical; they reveal a deeper spiritual reality. The miracle symbolizes humanity’s spiritual deafness . . . especially in a world dominated by secular values such as wealth, pleasure, and power. Just as the man could not speak until he first heard, people today cannot proclaim God’s truth unless they first listen to His Word. Encounter God Personally Jesus’ act of taking the man away from the crowd signifies the need to step out of worldly noise to encounter God personally. Having “heard” Christ and received Him . . . especially in the Eucharist . . . believers are sent forth to evangelize. The most convincing witness is not words alone but a transformed life, particularly how Christians face suffering and challenges with hope and courage. By living differently from the world, they “radiate Christ” and show that faith, not material success, is what truly matters. Listen to this Homily on faith! Jesus Tells Us: Be Opened: From Silence to Faith ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Art Work Healing of the Blind Man by Jesus Christ: Danish Painter: Carl Bloch: 1871 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gospel Reading: Mark 7: 31-37 First Reading: 1 Kings 11: 29-32; 12: 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why was this image selected: Though depicting another healing, this image emphasizes the one-on-one encounter with Christ, mirroring the Gospel’s detail that Jesus leads the man away from the crowd to heal him personally . . . an image of individual spiritual awakening.

From Not Enough to More Than Enough Today’s Homily unites two biblical moments: First, The Gospel (Mark 8: Feeding of the Four Thousand) reveals Christ’s deep compassion for humanity wandering in a spiritual “wilderness.” The crowd cannot sustain itself; human resources are insufficient. Yet when the disciples offer their “not much” . . . seven loaves and a few fish . . . Jesus transforms scarcity into abundance. This miracle foreshadows the Eucharist: Christ continues to feed the world through His Church, using humble means to accomplish divine grace. Second, The First Reading (Jeroboam and the Divided Kingdom) shows the opposite movement. Jeroboam, though raised up by God, becomes insecure and replaces true worship with convenient, man-made alternatives. He prefers control, comfort, and political security over trust in the Lord. This leads to spiritual decline and instability for Israel. The contrast is deliberate: • Jeroboam grasps, mistrusts, and substitutes human solutions → leading to loss. • The disciples surrender their inadequacy to Christ → leading to superabundance. The Homily and scripture message for today is clear: we must not reshape faith around convenience or personal preference. Instead, we entrust our poverty, weakness, and “not enough” to Christ, who alone can transform them into saving grace . . . especially through Word and Sacrament. The Homily concludes with a correlation of today's theme with Montfort's teachings. Hear more within the Homily. Listen to From Not Enough to More Than Enough --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes: Italian painter: Giovanni Lanfranco: 1620 The painting was commissioned for and may be found in the Blessed Sacrament chapel in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Mark 8: 1-10 First Reading: 1 Kings 12: 26-32; 13: 33-34 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: The image dramatically captures Christ at the center of action, emphasizing divine power working through ordinary bread and human participation. The painting mirrors the sermon’s central truth: what seems insufficient becomes inexhaustible in Christ’s hands.

Witnesses Who Chose God Above Life Itself Today’s Homily contrasts two models of leadership and discipleship . . . . . . drawn from Scripture and tradition. King David is presented as a leader chosen by God who, despite his sins, remained humble, repentant, and rooted in reverence for the Lord. His strength was not perfection, but his willingness to return to God and recognize that his authority and life came from Him. Herod, by contrast, represents a leader who hears the truth but lacks the courage to live it. Though he respects John the Baptist and is intrigued by his message, Herod allows pride, public opinion, and personal weakness to override conscience. His fear of losing face leads to the unjust execution of John. The Church then proposes St. Paul Miki and his companions as a third example . . . not merely leaders, but witnesses (martyrs) who fully embrace the truth of Christ. Unlike Herod, they do not compromise when faced with pressure or death; they proclaim that “Jesus is Lord” even from the cross. The message for Christians today is a call to moral courage: we may not face martyrdom, but we are continually asked to stand for truth, live from God, and return to Him in all things. The faithful are encouraged to pray for the strength to choose the path of David and the martyrs rather than that of Herod. Listen to this Meditation Media. Witnesses Who Chose God Above Life Itself -------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Martyrdom of St. Paul Miki and his companions: Engraving by Dutch Artist: Abraham van Diepenbeeck:  1596 -------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: The image depicts the martyrdom of Paul Miki and the Japanese martyrs, visually expressing steadfast faith in the face of death . . . the ultimate example of living the truth proclaimed in the Homily. -------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Mark 6: 14-29 First Reading: Sirach 47: 2-11

Sheep Without a Shepherd Ther readings and Gospel present . . . . . . the shared human experience of being overwhelmed by responsibility and need. King Solomon, faced with ruling a vast people, does not ask for power, wealth, or long life, but humbly asks God for the wisdom to discern what is truly right. His prayer pleases the Lord because it flows from humility and a desire to serve well rather than to benefit himself. This theme continues in the Gospel, where the apostles return from ministry exhausted and surrounded by endless demands. Jesus invites them to withdraw and rest, yet the crowds follow. When to Entrust the Rest to the Lord Instead of placing the burden back on the apostles, Jesus steps forward as the true Shepherd, caring for the people while his disciples rest. The lesson is clear: human beings are limited, and only God can attend to every need. True wisdom lies in knowing when to act and when to entrust the rest to the Lord. The Homily concludes by applying this truth to the Eucharist. In a world of constant distraction and obligation, worship is a sacred space where believers are invited to set aside their burdens, allow Christ to shepherd them, and receive renewal. The needs of the world will wait; for this moment, the Lord himself provides rest and restoration. Hear more in this Meditation Media. Listen to Sheep Without a Shepherd ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Mark 6: 30-34 First Reading: 1 Kings 3: 4-13 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Good Shepherd: Spanish Artist: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo: 1660 The Good Shepherd is an oil on canvas painting, now residing in the Prado Museum in Madrid ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: Murillo’s tender depiction of Christ gently guiding his sheep visually embodies the Gospel scene where Jesus sees the crowd as “sheep without a shepherd.” The calm authority and compassion of Christ reflect his role as the one who carries the burden so others may rest.

The Kingdom Grows in Silence Today’s Homily focuses on Jesus’ parables of the seed . . . . . . and mustard seed from the Gospel of Mark along with the story of King David’s sin and repentance from the Book of Samuel. The Mysterious, Gradual, and Often Hidden Nature of Spiritual Growth The Homily highlights the mysterious, gradual, and often hidden nature of spiritual growth in the Kingdom of God. Just as seeds grow quietly in the soil without human control, grace works slowly and inevitably within receptive hearts. David’s fall with Bathsheba illustrates humanity’s constant vulnerability to sin . . . even among the chosen and favored . . . while Psalm 51 gives voice to repentance and the hope of interior transformation. Against this backdrop, Jesus’ parables reveal that God’s Kingdom does not arrive through spectacle or instant change, but through small beginnings, patient faith, and sustained growth nourished within the soil of the Church. True understanding of Christ’s teaching requires not only intellectual effort but a living relationship with Him. From baptism to the Eucharist, God plants His life within us like a seed, promising that . . . even when it seems small or insignificant . . . it carries within it the power to grow, transform, and bear abundant fruit for the life of the world. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: The Kingdom Grows in Silence -------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Mark 4: 26-34 First Reading: 2 Samuel 11: 1-4, 5-10, 13-17 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Sower: French Artist and Painter: Jean-François Millet: 1850 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: The Sower captures the quiet, uncelebrated act of scattering seed—an image that perfectly reflects the parable of the seed growing “he knows not how.” The figure works faithfully, unaware of how or when the harvest will come, mirroring the mysterious, hidden action of grace in the soul and the slow unfolding of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus Asks, Why Are You Afraid? Awakening Faith Within TheHomily reviews the Gospel account of Jesus calming the storm . . . . . . (Mark 4:35–41) with moral and spiritual lessons drawn from King David’s repentance and everyday human experience. The disciples’ fear during the storm reveals their fragile faith, even though Christ is present with them. Jesus’ calm, even while asleep, demonstrates perfect trust in the Father and offers a model for finding interior peace amid life’s storms. The Homily contrasts human judgment . . . quick to condemn others but slow to recognize personal sin . . . with David’s humility in acknowledging his own wrongdoing. Sin, while forgivable, always leaves consequences, illustrated through the parable of nails hammered into a wall. The reflection urges self-awareness, repentance, and mercy. Awaken Christ Within You Ultimately, the Homily calls believers to awaken Christ within themselves through prayer and the sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist. True peace comes from allowing Jesus to dwell actively in one’s heart, enabling courage, trust, and stability amid the storms of life. Listen to Jesus Asks, Why Are You Afraid? Awakening Faith Within -------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Christ Asleep during the Tempest: French Painter: Eugène Delacroix: 1853 The painting is now displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. -------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Mark 4: 35-41 First Reading: 2 Samuel 12: 1-7, 10-17 -------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: The artist emphasizes Christ sleeping peacefully while chaos reigns around Him. This directly reflects the Homily’s insight that fear arises when Christ is “allowed to sleep” within us, and that faith must actively awaken His presence through prayer and sacramental life.

True Happiness Is Found in God The Gospel of the Beatitudes presents a vision of happiness that overturns ordinary human expectations. While the world associates blessedness with wealth, power, and security, Jesus proclaims the blessed as those who are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure of heart, and persecuted for righteousness. Drawing from Greek and Hebrew traditions, the Homily explains that “blessed” no longer means being untouched by suffering, but rather living with a heart oriented toward God. Blessed Means . . . A divided heart seeks happiness in wealth, power, pleasure, and fame, yet remains restless and unfulfilled. In contrast, a pure or undivided heart finds its fulfillment in God alone. From this God-centered heart flows mercy, justice, and love for others. True happiness, the Homily informs us, is not found in worldly achievements but in meditating on and living according to the law of the Lord, allowing God to be the sole treasure of the heart. Listen to this Meditation Media. True Happiness Is Found in God ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 5: 1-12 First Reading: Zephaniah 2: 3; 3:12-13 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Snowbow: QoAHs Digital Team: 2026 Taken near Rochester, NY ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: Have you ever just stopped and looked at the world and appreciate the beauty within it … the beauty God has made within this world? The QoAH digital team recently experienced a special nature moment viewing a Snowbow. Ok, is there really such a word? The answer is yes! It happens when the rising sun shines off snow crystals in the air. The above image shows the rising sun on the right and snow crystals revealing an orange and red stream of color. The vertical bands of color are straight up and down, unlike the normal arc curve of a typical rainbow. There was another upward band to the right of the sun … off camera. Just an amazingly beautiful view of nature… Happiness Found in God!

Jesus: The True King Before the Sea of Need The Homily focuses on the Gospel of Mark . . . . . . and the Old Testament account of David and Saul to contrast two radically different models of kingship and authority. In the Gospel, Jesus draws overwhelming crowds from every direction . . . Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, and beyond. The weight of human need is so great that his disciples must prepare a boat to keep him from being crushed. Jesus heals, teaches, and confronts unclean spirits, yet refuses acclaim or self-promotion. His kingship is defined not by ego or force, but by mercy, humility, and service to the wounded. This is set against the tragic example of King Saul, whose victory over Goliath becomes the seed of his downfall. Saul’s fragile ego turns David . . . God’s chosen servant . . . into a perceived enemy. Saul embodies the ruler who serves God on his own terms, seeking praise, control, and personal glory. David, though deeply flawed, remains oriented toward God’s will, capable of repentance and humility. The Homily culminates in Christ as the true Son of David and Mary as Queen through obedience. God’s kingdom is revealed not as conquest by power, but as a conquest of love—founded on surrender to God’s will rather than domination. True authority flows from hearts mastered by God, not from self-assertion or acclaim. Listen to Jesus: The True King Before the Sea of Need ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Christ Healing the Paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda: Spanish Painter: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo: 1667 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Mark 3: 7-12 First Reading: 1 Samuel 18: 6-9; 19:1-7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: Murillo’s Christ stands amid a mass of broken, desperate humanity . . . bodies pressed close, faces marked by suffering. The painting mirrors Mark’s emphasis on overwhelming crowds and Christ’s quiet authority. Jesus is central not as a ruler demanding praise, but as a healer absorbing the crushing weight of human need.

Waiting for God’s Time The Gospel recounts Jesus ascending the mountain to call and appoint the Twelve Apostles, . . . . . . choosing them to be with him, to preach, and to exercise spiritual authority. This act highlights divine initiative: God chooses, calls, and sends according to His will, not human ambition. The Homily then turns to the Old Testament encounter between David and Saul. Saul, consumed by jealousy, seeks to kill David in order to preserve his power, while David . . . though unjustly persecuted for many years . . . refuses to take revenge when Saul’s life is placed in his hands. David recognizes Saul as “the Lord’s anointed” and entrusts justice and fulfillment of God’s promise entirely to God’s timing. True Faith Resists the Urge to Hasten God’s Promises The central lesson contrasts jealousy and revenge with patience, discernment, and reverence for life. Jealousy corrupts the heart and leads toward death, while waiting on God preserves life and aligns human action with divine purpose. David teaches that God’s plans do not require human violence or manipulation to be fulfilled. True faith resists the urge to hasten God’s promises and instead allows God alone to sign His work, especially when life itself is at stake. Listen to this Meditation Media. Waiting for God’s Time ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Art Work King David – the King of Israel: Dutch Painter: Gerard van Honthorst:  1622 King David playing the harp.

God’s Call and Our Response The Homily reflects on readings from Scripture, focusing on how Saul . . . . . . despite being appointed and anointed by God and filled with the Holy Spirit . . . fell from grace. The central question, “How have the warriors fallen?” is repeated to emphasize a tragic decline rooted in disobedience to God and jealousy. Saul stopped listening to God, chose his own ego, and became consumed by comparison and envy toward David’s success. The Homily compares this to everyday experiences of comparison and highlights that the antidote is gratitude and obedience to God, recognizing that God’s grace meets our needs, not our wants. The Homily closes with a prayer that we remain attentive, obedient, and grateful to God so as not to fall like Saul. Listen to God’s Call and Our Response --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: This moment of divine calling highlights the importance of listening and responding to God . . . a central lesson in the text. It contrasts obedience with Saul’s failure to heed God. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Calling of St. Matthew: Italian Painter: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, : 1599-1600 This painting is unique. It depicts Jesus, with an outstretched arm, pointing to Levi. The tax collectors are illuminated by light as they look at Jesus. St. Peter stands near Jesus, as He tells Levi to Follow Me!. The painting resides in Rome within San Luigi dei Francesi. The painting hangs next to two other St. Matthew paintings, including the Martyrdom of St. Matthew. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Mark 3: 20-21 First Reading: 2 Samuel 1: 1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27

Jesus Tells Us: Follow Me: The Claim That Changes Everything Today’s Homily reflects on call and claims as central to God’s action in human lives. Drawing first from Saul’s unexpected anointing as king, it shows that God’s call is never earned, sought, or managed . . . it arrives unanticipated and places a claim on the person to grow into what God has given. Saul’s tragedy is not that he was unworthy, but that he failed to grow into the dignity of the call. This theme reaches its fullness in the Gospel account of Jesus calling Levi. Jesus does not invite Levi politely or negotiate terms; He commands, “Follow me.” The call is immediate, authoritative, and relational. Levi’s response . . . getting up and following at once . . . is remarkable precisely because it defies normal human hesitation. Jesus Calling Levi The Homily emphasizes that Jesus does not come to be with us; He comes for us to be with Him. Levi’s place is no longer the customs booth but with Christ. Even when Jesus leads Levi home, it is Jesus who brings Levi there rightly, transforming his home into a gathering place for sinners in need of mercy. The scandal for the Pharisees is that Jesus places Himself among sinners. Their mistake is wanting to assign God a place. Jesus corrects them by revealing the deeper truth: God defines our place, and our place is with Him. Christ comes not for the self-proclaimed righteous, but for those who recognize their need for healing. Ultimately, the Homily continues and reassures believers that salvation is not based on righteousness achieved, but on mercy received. In the Eucharist, Christ again calls, “Follow me,” and the faithful respond by rising and moving toward Him . . . then following Him back into daily life, where their true place remains with Him. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: Jesus Tells Us: Follow Me: The Claim That Changes Everything -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Calling of St. Matthew: Dutch Artist and Painter: Hendrick ter Brugghen: 1621 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: Brugghen’s interpretation emphasizes movement and decision. Matthew’s rising from the table reflects the homily’s insistence that hearing the call is not enough . . . the response requires motion, leaving behind comfort, status, and certainty. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Mark 2: 13-17 First Reading: 1 Samuel 9: 1-4, 17-19; 10:1

He Must Increase, I Must Decrease He Must Increase, . . . The Homily weaves together the Letter of St. John and the Gospel’s encounter . . . . . . with John the Baptist to confront a central Christian tension: believers are truly begotten of God and called to freedom from sin, yet they still struggle daily with weakness and divided hearts. St. John’s stark claim that those begotten of God do not sin is not naïve or dismissive of human frailty; rather, it holds before us the full vision of what God’s grace is meant to accomplish over time . . . a gradual but real transformation into holiness. This struggle is most clearly expressed in the warning, “Beware of idols.” Idolatry is not merely the worship of false gods in stone or wood, but the subtler temptation to fashion God in our own image—to follow Him on our terms, according to our preferences, fears, and egos. Such self-made gods quietly displace the true God and fracture the heart. As surrender to Christ deepens, these idols lose their power. . . . I Must Decrease The Gospel illustrates this truth through John the Baptist’s humility. Faced with questions about ritual washings and concerns about his diminishing prominence, John redirects attention away from himself and toward Christ. Rituals, ministries, and even religious figures have meaning only insofar as they prepare the way for Jesus. John’s defining posture . . . “He must increase; I must decrease” . . . is not self-negation but right ordering: Christ must be central, and everything else finds its place in relation to Him. As the Christmas season draws to a close with the Baptism of the Lord, the reflection culminates sacramentally in the Eucharist. Christ, once an infant in the manger, now comes to dwell within the believer. Each “Amen” becomes a renewed rejection of idols and a consent to Christ’s growth within the heart. Slowly, faithfully, this diminishing of self allows believers to approach the freedom and joy of true children of God. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: He Must Increase, I Must Decrease -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work St John the Baptist in the Wilderness: Spanish Artist and Painter: Diego Velazquez: 1620

The Heavens Were Opened Today’s Homily centers on the Baptism of the Lord, which concludes the Christmas season . . . . . . and inaugurates Jesus’ public ministry. Though troubling to early Christians . . . since Jesus is sinless and baptism was for repentance . . . Matthew emphasizes that Jesus submits to baptism to “fulfill all righteousness.” In doing so, Jesus completes God’s long-standing pattern of serving and saving His people through water, seen throughout the Old Testament: the Flood, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the crossing of the Jordan into the Promised Land, each accompanied by the presence of divine wind or Spirit. At Jesus’ baptism, the waters are not parted; instead, the heavens are opened, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, revealing Jesus as the beloved Son. Through this act, heaven is opened to humanity. Christian baptism now immerses believers into the very life of the Triune God, making them adopted children of God. This baptism carries a mission: to proclaim good news to the poor, bring light to those in darkness, and freedom to those imprisoned. The Homily concludes by urging believers, especially as Ordinary Time begins, to renew their baptismal commitment and actively live out the mission that flows from it. Listen to The Heavens Were Opened ------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 3: 13-17 First Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7 Second Reading: Acts 10: 34-38 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Baptism of Christ: Italian Painter: Piero della Francesca: 1449

Where Christ Is, There Is Our Home Where Christ Is, . . . Today’s Homily on the Feast of the Epiphany explores the manifestation of Christ . . . . . . not only to Israel, but to all nations. Through the journey of the Magi, the Homily reveals God’s universal plan of salvation and the deeply personal invitation each person receives to seek, meet, and honor Christ. The Magi’s response to the star becomes a spiritual model: they step outside the ordinary, look up, and allow themselves to be guided by a light beyond themselves. Seeing the star is not enough . . . they move toward Christ, recognizing that His coming is for them. Their journey reflects the innate human longing for God, a desire placed in every heart that, when followed, leads closer to Christ. . . . There Is Our Home The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolize enduring spiritual virtues . . . charity, prayer, and self-denial . . . virtues acquired along the journey rather than possessed at the outset. In contrast, Herod and Jerusalem represent resistance to grace: agitation without movement, power without surrender. Ultimately, the Epiphany is not merely an ancient story but the ongoing rhythm of Christian life. Like the Magi, believers are drawn week after week to Christ’s presence, where He not only receives their offerings but gives Himself in return, gathering not just some, but all, into His saving light. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: Where Christ Is, There Is Our Home -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Adoration of the Magi: Flemish Artist and Painter: Peter Paul Rubens: 1609 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: Rubens’ dynamic composition draws all attention toward Christ at the center. Earthly power fades into the background, underscoring the homily’s teaching that the true Jerusalem is not a place, but a Person . . . Jesus Christ. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12 First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

Finding the Child by Finding the Mother Today’s Homily reflects on the Gospel of Christ’s birth and naming, . . . . . . emphasizing that the Nativity is not a past event but a living, ever-new mystery that renews time itself. The Church proclaims that the birth of Jesus . . . God entering human history. . . stands at the true beginning of every year, making time “full” through Christ. January 1st, the Octave Day of Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and that to know the Son is to know the Mother. The Homily further highlights the blessing from the Book of Numbers . . . “May the Lord let his face shine upon you” . . . fulfilled in Christ, whose face first shines upon Mary and then upon all humanity. Shepherds and Magi alike find Jesus by finding His Mother, illustrating their inseparable bond. Jesus comes not for us to take Him home, but to bring us home into God’s family through adoption. Mary, entrusted with the name of Jesus, reveals it to the world, making her the Mother of God, the Church, and all believers. The faithful are invited to begin the year seeking God’s blessing, peace, and grace, confident that Christ . . . Son of God and Son of Mary . . . continues to shine His face upon them in the Eucharist. Listen more to Finding the Child by Finding the Mother ------------------------------------------------------ Quote from the Homily To know the Mother, to find the Mother, is to know and find the Son. This too is the great mystery that the scriptures of these days unfold before us. First it is the shepherds who come, and they find the child by finding His mother. This coming Sunday, we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany and the three magi come, and they will find the child by finding the mother. Know how wonderful this is, this inseparability between the two of them. To know the Son is to know the Mother. To know the Mother is to know the Son. This should not surprise us because the Lord has come. The Lord has come. Born of woman, born of Mary, born of a mother, not simply for us to receive Him. He has come to receive us. Jesus does not come into the world for us to take him home with us. Jesus comes into the world to bring us home with him. ------------------------------------------------------ Art Work Adoration: Italian Painter: Cappella Sassetti: 1485 ------------------------------------------------------ Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 16-21 First Reading: Numbers 6: 22-27 Second Reading: Galatians 4: 4-7