Sermons by Father Alfonse at Mary Immaculate

What if everything we've been told matters… doesn't?In this raw, vulnerable conversation, a Catholic priest shares the career advice he wishes someone had given him at 20—and why he's now "begging parents" to stop teaching their kids that success, money, and possessions lead to happiness.Drawing from decades of pastoral work and his own honest regrets, Father Alfonse breaks down the two ancient commandments that form the foundation of a meaningful life: Love God with all your heart, mind, body, and soul—and love your neighbor as yourself. But this isn't a sermon about obligation. It's a deeply human exploration of what happens when we finally stop performing and start living with authentic passion.What you'll hear:On burnout and what we get wrong about rest:Why "work-life balance" is a trap, and what "work-life harmony" actually looks like when you're doing what you love (even when it's hard). A priest's surprising take on vacation, passion, and the difference between being happy and being fulfilled.On anxiety and the need to understand everything:The powerful "circle illustration" that explains why we only see a sliver of what people are going through—and why love, not comprehension, is what penetrates the unknown. Permission to stop trying to fix everything and simply show up with compassion.On grief, loss, and what really matters:What a comedian's joke about aging reveals about wasted time, regret, and the urgent message every parent and grandparent needs to pass on before it's too late. How to stop the generational cycle of chasing empty promises.On meaning-seeking and spiritual authenticity:Why the church isn't about modernization, entertainment, or politics—it's about giving doctors, scientists, politicians, and engineers a soul. What it means to be "the soul of the world" in an age of institutions losing credibility.On the two laws that govern everything:Just like the physical world operates by laws of physics, the spiritual world operates by the laws of love. Why humanity will never achieve the peace and harmony we're desperately seeking without these two foundational practices.This conversation will challenge:How you define successWhat you're teaching the next generationWhether you're wasting your life on things that don't fulfillHow you love people you can't fully understandWhat you're truly passionate about (and whether you're brave enough to pursue it)Perfect for listeners who:Feel burned out chasing society's definition of successAre navigating grief, loss, or major life transitionsStruggle with anxiety about not understanding or controlling outcomesAre deconstructing or reconstructing their spiritual beliefsWant to pass on something real to their children or grandchildrenNeed permission to stop performing and start living authenticallyThe daily practice introduced in this episode:A simple "gut check" using two honest questions that cut through the noise and bring you back to what actually matters. No religious jargon. No impossible standards. Just radical honesty about how you're loving God and loving others today.This isn't therapy-adjacent content. It's not self-help disguised as spirituality. It's a real human being—who happens to be a priest—getting honest about regret, passion, purpose, and the two things that have sustained him through decades of serving hurting people.Whether you're walking through grief, wrestling with burnout, or simply exhausted from chasing what doesn't satisfy—this conversation offers a different path forward."We only see the outside of people when all decisions are made from the inside. I'm not here to understand everything. I'm here just to love."CONNECT:🌐 maryimmaculatechurch.org📘 facebook.com/maryimmaculatechurch🖋️ fralfonse.substack.com

What if the thing you've been calling "self-protection" is actually the cage you built around yourself?In this episode, Father Alfonse Nazzaro shares something he's never fully unpacked before: a moment of public humiliation in high school that changed the trajectory of his life. He was asked to act out the word "communism" in a game of charades. The whole class laughed—including the teacher. He felt the blood rush to his face, certain he was dying of embarrassment.He never raised his hand in that class again.He's 60 now. He still remembers the word. He still remembers the feeling.This is a conversation about the wounds we carry without realizing they're still bleeding. About the ways we shrink ourselves to avoid ever feeling that exposed again. About the difference between the humility that makes us small and the humility that actually sets us free.Father Alfonse calls it "the magic formula"—but it's not magic at all. It's the willingness to try things that might not work. To dream things that might fall apart. To raise your hand even when you're terrified of looking foolish.What you'll hear in this episode:→ A confession about refusing to spend $7.99 on a soap holder for five years (and what his Italian mother had to say about it)→ The high school charades story that silenced him—and what it reveals about how pride disguises itself as protection→ A reframe of humility that challenges everything you've been taught: it's not about shrinking, staying quiet, or playing small→ The statistic that stopped him in his tracks: "Be not afraid" appears 365 times in scripture—one for every day of the year→ A real-time announcement about what happens when a small community decides to dream bigger than their circumstances (hint: it involves the NASDAQ and an invitation no one expected)This episode is for you if:You've been playing it safe because something once made you feel exposed, and you've never fully recoveredYou're exhausted from the mental loop of anxiety and comparison, and you're looking for a different way to think about courageYou're in a season of burnout or transition and you're trying to figure out what actually mattersYou've been quietly grieving—a loss, a version of yourself, a dream you let go of—and you're wondering if it's too late to try againYou're spiritually curious but allergic to inauthenticity, and you want wisdom that feels earned, not performedFather Alfonse doesn't preach at you. He confesses alongside you. He's a priest who talks about his own wounds with the kind of honesty that makes you feel less alone in yours.This isn't about being fearless. It's about being afraid and moving anyway.If this episode moves you, we'd love for you to share it with someone who might need to hear it—especially anyone who's been playing smaller than they were made to be.

"Did I make the right decision?"If you've ever laid awake replaying a choice—wondering if you took the wrong job, married the wrong person, moved to the wrong city, said the wrong thing—you're not alone. That question is one of the most universal sources of anxiety we carry. And most of us have no idea how to put it down.In this episode, Father Alfonse explores what might be the most freeing reframe for chronic second-guessers: What if your worst decisions aren't disqualifiers?It started with cookies. Maple cream cookies, to be specific. Father Alfonse decided to drive to Central Market in dangerous weather because he had a craving. Objectively foolish. The kind of choice you'd be embarrassed to explain in an ER. But that "stupid" trip became something else entirely—an unexpected opportunity to help someone who needed a ride.It's a small story. But it opens a much larger question: What if the things we regret most aren't dead ends?What This Episode Covers:→ Why "did I make the right choice?" is the question that tortures almost everyone → The surprising link between our circumstances and our outcomes (hint: it's not what you think) → How to stop letting your worst moments define your story → A practical two-step reframe for decision-making anxiety → Why perfectionism in choices is both impossible and unnecessaryThe Myth of the "Right" DecisionWe're taught that life is a series of forks—and if we choose wrong, we're stuck on the bad path forever. Grew up poor? You'll struggle. Made a mistake in your twenties? You're playing catch-up for life. Chose the wrong career? Wasted years.But Father Alfonse challenges this directly: some people credit their success to hardship. Others grew up with every advantage and still watched things fall apart. The formula doesn't hold.Your neighborhood doesn't determine your destiny. Neither does your past.This isn't toxic positivity or denial. It's a different operating system—one where mistakes become raw material instead of permanent stains.For the Overthinkers, the Anxious, the RegretfulIf you're someone who:Replays conversations and choices looking for where you went wrongStruggles to make decisions because you're terrified of choosing poorlyCarries guilt about past choices and wonders "what if"Feels stuck because of something you did (or didn't do) years agoThis episode offers something rare: permission to exhale.Not because your choices don't matter—but because they don't have the final word.A Practice to Try This WeekBefore any decision: "Be part of this with me." After any decision: "I release this. It's not mine to carry alone."Notice what shifts when you stop white-knuckling every choice.Who This Episode Is For:✓ Anyone processing anxiety around life decisions ✓ People in transitions (career, relationships, location, faith) ✓ Those carrying regret they can't seem to put down ✓ Spiritual seekers looking for meaning without dogma ✓ Anyone who's ever thought: "I think I ruined my life"Episode Details: 🎙️ Runtime: 7 minutes 34 seconds 📅 Recorded: Third Sunday in Ordinary TimeConnect & Continue the Conversation:🌐 maryimmaculatechurch.org 📰 fatheralfonse.substack.com 📘 facebook.com/maryimmaculatechurchIf this episode helped you breathe a little easier, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

What if the comfortable life you're building—the retirement dream, the stress-free existence, the achievement payoff—would actually destroy you?In this episode, Father Alfonse Navarro delivers an unflinching homily that tackles our cultural addiction to ease and asks the question no one wants to hear: What if we weren't made for comfort?Using the Gospel story of the widow who gave her last two cents and the widow from 1 Kings who shared her final meal before expecting to die, Father explores why the people who suffer most are often the most faithful—and what that reveals about need, strength, and the nature of divine encounter.This episode is for you if:You've achieved everything you wanted and still feel hollow insideYou're carrying invisible burdens—caregiving, grief, emotional labor—that no one acknowledgesYou're questioning whether your retirement dream will actually fulfill youYou're tired of toxic positivity from spiritual leaders who've never admitted their own strugglesYou're navigating anxiety, burnout, or life transitions and need more than surface platitudesYou're exploring faith after religious trauma and need honesty over performanceKey Themes Explored:Why retirement fantasies often mask purpose crisesThe "magic is in the work you're avoiding" principle (from Olympic gymnast Madison Kocian)How to reconcile a tough life with a good God without gaslighting your painWhy teenagers make TikToks while widows fill church pews (and what that teaches us about need)The theology of being "tough like God"—what it means and why it mattersDivine recognition of invisible sacrifices: God noticed the widow's two centsThe difference between eliminating suffering and eliminating being alone with sufferingWhat Makes This Different: Father Alfonse doesn't offer the polished, aspirational Christianity you see on Instagram. He admits he's been fantasizing about retirement—Italian espresso, beach walks, homemade pizza—and then confesses why that dream would leave him empty within a week.This is vulnerable leadership. This is working-class theology. You'll Walk Away With:Permission to question your own achievement metricsA theological framework for why difficulty isn't punishment—it's formationLanguage for the invisible work you've been doing that culture doesn't valuePractical challenge: naming the meaningful work you've been avoidingHope that your sacrifices aren't hidden from divine sightScripture References:1 Kings 17:10-16 (The Widow of Zarephath)Mark 12:38-44 (The Widow's Offering)Hebrews 9:24-28Reflection Questions for Journaling:What's the "comfortable retirement" you've been working toward? Would it actually fulfill you?What meaningful, difficult work are you avoiding right now? (Not tasks—relational, spiritual, vocational work)Where have you given your "two cents" from poverty while others gave from surplus?How has suffering taught you to love?For Grief Navigators: The widow narratives and Father's discussion of why suffering people are the most faithful may resonate deeply if you're processing loss. This is a space that doesn't rush you toward healing or minimize pain.For Wellness Seekers: If you're tired of self-care advice that rings hollow, this offers a different framework—not avoiding difficulty, but finding meaning within it.For Spiritual Explorers: This is faith that acknowledges religious trauma, questions institutional performance, and centers vulnerability over polish. Safe space for the deconstructing and reconstructing.About Father Alfonse Navarro: Catholic priest at Mary Immaculate Church in Farmers Branch, Texas. Known for working-class theology, vulnerable preaching, and homilies that bridge palace Catholics and regular people's faith. Weekly sermons available on YouTube and Substack.Connect:newsletter: fatheralfonse.substack.comSubscribe for weekly episodes that challenge comfortable Christianity and offer authentic spiritual direction for real life.

A young couple sits across from me at breakfast. They're expecting their first child. They're terrified. "Father, we live in a small apartment. We're worried about finances. Other people have it so much better than us." I've heard this before. The comparison spiral. The measuring of your life against someone else's highlight reel. The quiet panic that you're falling behind in a race you never signed up for. I told them something that surprised them: "That's not it. That's not the point at all." This episode is about mission. Not mission in the corporate sense—not vision statements or five-year plans. Mission as in: why are you here? What were you put on this earth to do? And what happens when you finally figure it out? I share three stories. The first is about taking 22 children from our parish school to Rome to sing for Pope Francis. I had no desire to visit Rome until I found a reason that mattered. When the Pope approached our group, I did something that still makes me laugh—I started pushing myself backward, shoving the kids forward. "Move! Move! Get up there!" There's a photo somewhere of me in the back with my camera, the children in front. That's the whole sermon in one image. The second is about a nervous young couple and the only marriage advice that actually works: stay focused on the mission. When you're married, the mission is simple. "I will love you and honor you all the days of my life." Everything else—the apartment size, the bank account, the comparisons—is noise. The third is about Antonietta Meo. She was seven years old. She had bone cancer. The doctors told her they would have to amputate her leg. And this child—this seven-year-old—wrote a letter to Jesus. "Jesus, whatever you want, I want."I have to be honest with you. I'm sixty years old. I've been a priest for decades. And I don't know if I could write that letter today. The tour guide in Rome told the children about Antonietta's joy, her smile, how beloved she was. He left out the part about the cancer. I grabbed the microphone on the bus afterward and told them the rest. You can't understand her peace without understanding her suffering. You can't separate surrender from what she was surrendering. This is what I've learned: the richest people can be miserable. The poorest people can be at peace. The difference isn't circumstance. It's mission. It's knowing why you're here and living from that place. You won't find "blessed are the wealthy" anywhere in Scripture. You won't find "blessed are they who live to be a hundred." What you'll find is this: blessed are they who know their mission. If you're listening to this and you're exhausted—from the comparing, from the measuring, from the quiet fear that you're not enough—I want you to hear something. You were chosen. Not by accident. Not as a backup plan. Chosen knowing everything about you. Your strengths. Your weaknesses. Your failures you've never told anyone about. Chosen anyway. The question isn't whether you're enough. The question is whether you know what you're here for. When you figure that out—when you discover your mission and start living it—something shifts. The heavens open. And you hear a voice you've been waiting your whole life to hear: "This is my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased." Stay focused on the mission.Topics covered: finding meaning, anxiety and comparison, burnout recovery, authentic faith, grief and surrender, purpose beyond achievement, letting go of perfectionism For more reflections: fatheralfonse.substack.com

You can be in the room and still be miles away. You can show up to your life—your relationships, your work, your own healing—and still be holding something back. Still hedging. Still waiting to see how things turn out before you commit.This episode is about what it costs to play it safe. And why that "safe" choice might be the most dangerous one you ever make. Fr. Alfonse Navarro shares a reflection that started with a simple question from a child at his school: "Father, I'm afraid to die." He answered immediately. Confidently. And looking back, he got it wrong. It took him weeks to find the real answer. What he discovered reshaped how he thinks about fear, love, grief, and what it actually means to be fully present in your own life. In this episode, you'll hear: → Why "waiting to see what happens" keeps you stuck in anxiety and out of your own story → The difference between being physically present and being "all in"—and how to know which one you're doing → A reframe on fear that might change how you make decisions → What a Polish Olympic athlete did with her silver medal that stunned the world—and why the headlines got the lesson completely wrong → A perspective on grief and loss that doesn't minimize pain but offers something beyond it → The honest admission: "Preaching is easy. Actually doing it is another story." This isn't a lecture. It's not a guilt trip. It's an invitation to ask yourself a question most of us avoid: What am I holding back? And what would "all in" actually look like? Fr. Alfonse draws from his own wrestling—with faith, with failure, with the fear of not being enough—to offer something rare: a voice that doesn't pretend to have it all figured out. If you're navigating burnout, sitting with grief, questioning what you believe, or just feeling like you're going through the motions in a life that should mean more—this one's for you. Not because it gives you easy answers. But because it sits with you in the hard questions. And sometimes, that's exactly what we need. — WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY: - A framework for understanding fear vs. love—and which one is driving your choices - Language for the feeling of being "present but not really there" - A new way to think about loss, endings, and what comes after - Permission to not have it all figured out - One question to sit with: What's keeping me from going all in? — MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: - Maria Andrzejczyk — Polish Olympic javelin thrower, Tokyo 2020 - The "all in" framework for decision-making and presence - Fear vs. love as competing operating systems - Grief reframe: "Heaven to earth. Earth to heaven." — ABOUT FR. ALFONSE NAVARRO: Fr. Alfonse is a Catholic priest at Mary Immaculate Church in Farmers Branch, Texas. His reflections blend theological depth with psychological honesty, personal story, and the kind of vulnerability most people don't expect from clergy. He writes at fatheralfonse.substack.com. — IF THIS RESONATED: Subscribe for new episodes. Leave a review if this helped you see something differently. Drop a comment if you need prayers!Share it with someone who's going through the motions and might need permission to go all in. Sometimes one conversation changes everything.

What happens when life forces you to stop—and no one's coming?When Father Alfonse was ten years old, he got so sick he couldn't leave his bed for weeks. Through the window, he could hear his friends playing outside. Laughing. Screaming. Living their lives as if he didn't exist.Not one of them called.This episode explores what happens in the silence when we're forced to wait—for healing, for answers, for someone to notice we're struggling. It's an honest conversation about the loneliness of being overlooked, the grief of unmet expectations, and the strange gift hidden inside seasons that feel endless.What you'll hear:Father Alfonse shares a childhood story—the weeks of isolation, the sound of friends who forgot him, and the one unexpected person who kept calling. (Spoiler: it was someone he didn't even like. And that detail changes everything.)He also unpacks a pattern he's noticed after decades of walking with people through loss, burnout, and life transitions:We keep begging for more time. But time isn't actually what we need.The uncomfortable math of love:There's a moment in this episode that will hit anyone who's ever given everything to a relationship, a job, a family member—and received almost nothing in return."When you love someone, you put in 100%. You get 20% back. That's just the math."But here's what Father Alfonse says next that reframes everything: the 20% you receive now isn't the whole story. What feels like loss in the present often becomes legacy in the long run. The people who seem to forget you? They remember everything when you're gone.For the Van Goghs among us:If you've ever created something no one noticed, given something no one thanked you for, or shown up for someone who never showed up for you—this episode is for you.Van Gogh sold one painting in his lifetime. One.* What does it mean to keep going when there's no external validation? How do you trust a process that feels like it's going nowhere?What this episode is really about:This isn't a pep talk. It's not toxic positivity dressed up in spiritual language.It's an honest look at what happens when we're forced into stillness we didn't choose—and what becomes possible when we stop fighting it. Father Alfonse draws from his own family losses, his struggles with patience, and his years of sitting with people in hospital rooms and living rooms during their hardest seasons.The central question: What if reflection—not time—is the gift we've been ignoring?This episode is for you if:→ You're exhausted from waiting for something to change → You've been giving more than you're getting and wondering if it matters → You're navigating grief, burnout, or a transition that feels like limbo→ You need someone to name what you're feeling without trying to fix it*According to some estimates.

Have you ever wondered why we'll sacrifice everything for temporary rewards—perfect bodies, career success, social approval—but resist the practices that might actually bring lasting peace?In this deeply personal episode, Father Alfonse shares a revelation that started in the most unexpected place: an ice cream shop. What began as a simple staff outing became a profound meditation on comfort zones, spiritual stagnation, and the patterns that keep us playing small.You'll hear the story of a classroom experiment with a $100 bill that exposed an uncomfortable truth about human nature. When asked what they'd do for money, eighth graders shouted: "50 laps! 100 laps! Whatever it takes!" But when the stakes shifted to something deeper—pursuing meaning, purpose, lasting transformation—the room went silent.What You'll Explore:On Comfort & GrowthWhy do we order the same ice cream flavor our entire lives? Why do we sit in the same church pew, follow the same routines, and resist anything that pushes us beyond what feels safe? Father Alfonse examines how "comfortable" can quietly become dangerous—when good enough prevents us from discovering what's truly possible.On Hidden Prayers & Ancient WisdomDiscover the biblical prayer for "unknown faults" that most people never learn—and why adding it to your practice creates unexpected freedom. This isn't about religious obligation; it's about acknowledging the parts of ourselves we can't see clearly.On Radical CommitmentWhat did Jesus really mean when he said to "cut off your hand"? Explore the context behind this shocking language and what it teaches us about prioritizing what matters most—even when it's uncomfortable, inconvenient, or countercultural.On Breaking Free From ComparisonWhy jealousy creeps in when we're too comfortable. How to recognize when you're stuck comparing yourself to others instead of living your own authentic path. Practical steps to move from envy to mission.On Loving vs. LivingThe episode closes with a powerful distinction: Are you living unconditionally (comfort, safety, avoidance) or loving unconditionally (risk, vulnerability, service)? This simple reframe might change how you approach relationships, work, and your own inner life.Why This Episode Resonates:If you've ever felt stuck in routines that no longer serve you...If you're tired of sacrificing for things that don't bring lasting fulfillment...If you're navigating anxiety, burnout, or the quiet ache of comparison culture...If you're questioning what truly matters and what you're willing to prioritize...This conversation offers a compassionate, grounded exploration of those tensions—without platitudes, without easy answers, just honest reflection on what it means to live with intention.Themes: Comfort zones, spiritual growth, authenticity, meaning-making, breaking patterns, inner work, contemplative practice, vulnerability, intentional livingPerfect for listeners of: Unlocking Us, On Being, Ten Percent Happier, The Daily, Terrible Thanks for AskingLength: 11:35Listen if you're ready to: Question your routines, explore what you're truly willing to change, and consider what might be waiting on the other side of comfortable.

When Father Alfonse Navarro's father died, he became the reluctant curator of a lifetime of possessions. His father had kept everything—every paper, every memory, every scrap of evidence that a life had been lived. Among the boxes, Father Alfonse found something he wasn't looking for: his childhood report cards from kindergarten through third grade.Not one single teacher had written a positive thing about him."Al needs to work harder." "Al is not doing his work." "Al lacks self-confidence." And perhaps most devastatingly: "Al hides his artwork from the other children."In this raw and vulnerable episode, Father Alfonse unpacks what those childhood labels did to him—and what they might be doing to you right now. He confesses his struggle with feeling "not good enough," his tendency to hide what he creates, and the decades-long internalization of being told he was inadequate. But this isn't just a story about painful report cards. It's about the difference between your essence (who you are as a human being created with inherent worth) and your accidentals (the roles, titles, and external markers that society uses to measure you).If you've ever felt like you're "just a..." (just a server, just a parent, just someone without impressive credentials), this conversation will reframe everything.Father Alfonse draws an unexpected connection between romance movies, war films, and the theology of God's love. Why do Cinderella stories resonate so deeply? Why do underdog narratives grip us? Because they mirror the biblical pattern: God consistently chooses the forgotten, the invisible, the undervalued, and the overlooked. From the "stump of Jesse" in Isaiah to John the Baptist preaching in the desert (not a palace), the entire scriptural narrative centers those who've been written off.This episode is for:Anyone carrying childhood wounds from authority figures who failed to see themPeople navigating the grief of losing a parent and discovering who they were through what they left behindThose experiencing burnout from trying to prove their worth through achievementSpiritual seekers wrestling with belonging in institutions that feel inaccessible or exclusiveAnyone who's ever felt invisible in a world that seems designed for "palace kids"Key themes explored:The psychology of childhood shame and its impact on adult identityGrief, inheritance, and what we discover about ourselves through parental lossThe philosophy of essence vs. accidentals (what defines you vs. what describes you)Why "forming the heart" matters more than information accumulation (even in the age of ChatGPT)The working-class spirituality of those who didn't "grow up in the palace"Practical steps for reclaiming visibility when you've spent a lifetime in the shadowsFather Alfonse speaks with the earned authority of 60 years lived. His homilies blend theological depth with disarming honesty. He admits to loving romance movies, confesses his struggles with self-worth, and doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable truth: sometimes the people meant to encourage us become the voices we can't silence.But here's the redemptive arc: The same person whose teachers wrote nothing positive is now a priest whose homilies reach hundreds of thousands. The child who hid his artwork now creates content that helps others stop hiding. The student labeled "lacks self-confidence" now challenges entire communities to "don't be invisible."This isn't a self-help pep talk. It's not toxic positivity or spiritual bypassing. It's a deeply theological exploration of what it means to be chosen precisely because—not despite—you feel unqualified. It's an invitation to examine the labels you're still carrying and ask: whose voice am I believing about my worth?Listen if you need permission to stop hiding what you're creating. Listen if you're tired of being invisible. Listen if you've ever wondered whether the wounded parts of you might actually be the most essential.

BURNOUT, GRIEF, AND THE TRIUMPH YOU CAN'T SEE YET Duration: 11 minutes, 40 secondsWhat does triumph actually look like when you're burned out, grieving, or convinced you're failing at everything?This homily starts with a question: "If you had $100 million, what would you do?" Pay off debts. Throw a party. Buy a yacht. Take vacations. The answers reveal what we all want: comfort, security, freedom from struggle.Then he tells the story of someone who has hundreds of billions—and still comes to work every single day.THE BILLIONAIRE'S SUPERPOWERJensen Huang. NVIDIA founder. Worth hundreds of billions. Longest-running CEO in tech: 35 years.His superpower? Not intelligence or vision."My ability to endure pain and suffering.COMFORT IS KILLING US"This world cherishes comfort. We all cherish comfort."The questions that expose everything: → Do you stay silent when someone insults your faith to avoid conflict? → Do you lie to escape the consequences of truth? → Will you cheat to stay comfortable rather than endure doing what's right?We choose comfort over conviction. Then wonder why life feels meaningless.WHY THE CROSS IS A THRONEChrist the King Sunday—the most triumphant day. So why do the readings focus on crucifixion? The most humiliating moment in Jesus' life?"The rulers sneered at Jesus. Even the soldiers jeered at him."Because the crucifix is Christ's throne.Not gold. Not a palace. Wood and nails. His highest moment is his lowest point—because he didn't come down. He persevered.WHO DO YOU ACTUALLY RESPECT?Not the people who had it easy.The ones who suffered for you. Who endured pain. Who demonstrated the mission mattered more than comfort. Who persevered when everything said quit."When you look at the crucifix, that's what he's saying: You're worth it. I love you. I value you. I respect you. I want you."YOUR TRIUMPH IS AT THE BOTTOM"The highest moment in our lives, for God, your triumph is when you go to your lowest moment in your life, and you don't give up. You continue. You persevere. You persevere till the end."Not at the top. At the bottom.When life breaks you and you still don't quit—that's your crown.THIS EPISODE IS FOR:If you're burned out: This reframes "success" from achievement to endurance. Your perseverance through exhaustion is the victory.If you're grieving: Your suffering isn't failure. The fact that you're still here, still going—that's triumph. You're not broken. You're being refined.If you're anxious you're not enough: God doesn't measure you at your peak. He's watching at your lowest—will you quit or persevere?WHAT YOU'LL HEAR:→ The $100 million question that reveals everything → A billionaire CEO's surprising "superpower" → Why the championship trophy is worthless → The restaurant door that taught him about God's glory → How comfort destroys meaning → Why triumph happens at rock bottom, not the top → The cross as throne: making theology human → Permission to honor suffering as sacred workNO BYPASSING. JUST TRUTH.This isn't "everything happens for a reason."This is: "You're at the bottom. Don't quit. That's your crown."For anyone navigating grief that won't end, burnout you can't recover from, anxiety that nothing is enough, or the brutal reality that life is falling apart.Your triumph isn't whether you win. It's whether you quit.The people you respect most? They suffered and didn't quit. That's what made them who they are.12 minutes that redefine what it means to succeed when everything feels like failure.

Loneliness isn't about being in an empty room. It's about being unable to express what you're feeling to anyone—even when you're surrounded by family.Father Alfonse Navarro knows this firsthand. As a child during his parents' divorce, he was surrounded by people but completely alone with feelings he couldn't name. He wrote letters to himself, hid them, and prayed someone would hear him. Decades later, cleaning out his father's safe after his death, he found those letters. That discovery changed everything about how he understands what it means to be "broken hearted.In this 13-minute homily, Father Alfonse unpacks three types of brokenheartedness from Scripture—and why God promises to stay close in exactly those moments:**What you'll hear:**- You feel isolated even when surrounded by people - You're carrying feelings you can't express to anyone - You're in prolonged struggle wondering if one more day is worth it - You're processing complicated grief after a parent's death - You grew up in a broken family and are still dealing with the aftermath - You're tired of "just pray about it" answers that don't acknowledge real pain - You need permission to be broken without pressure to "fix" yourself**This episode is for you if:** - You feel isolated even when surrounded by people - You're carrying feelings you can't express to anyone - You're in prolonged struggle wondering if one more day is worth it - You're processing complicated grief after a parent's death - You grew up in a broken family and are still dealing with the aftermath - You're tired of "just pray about it" answers that don't acknowledge real pain - You need permission to be broken without pressure to "fix" yourself **Key timestamps:** 0:00 - What does "broken hearted" really mean? 1:45 - Loneliness redefined: When you can't express what you feel 4:30 - Three places that teach life's value 7:15 - "Most people die tomorrow night": The story that changes everything 8:35 - What I found in my father's safe 10:10 - Why comparing yourself to others steals your joy12:10 - The humble prayer God always hears **Why this matters:** If you're reading this, you're probably in one of those seasons. Maybe you woke up at 3 AM and couldn't get back to sleep. Maybe you're sitting in your car needing five minutes before going inside. Maybe you're cleaning out a parent's house and everything feels impossible. This homily won't fix everything. But it might help you hold on one more day. And sometimes that's what matters. **Save this episode for when you need it.** Share it with someone who's barely holding on. Sometimes we're sent by God to answer someone's prayer. **About Father Alfonse:** Catholic priest at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish. Survivor of family divorce, childhood depression, and decades of resentment. He preaches like someone who's actually lived through hard things—because he has. **Length:** 12:59 **From the Sunday readings:** 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C (Sirach 35 | 2 Timothy 4 | Luke 18:9-14) **Topics:** Loneliness, isolation, grief, family trauma, depression, mental health, prayer, forgiveness, resentment, comparison, Catholic faith, hope, breakthrough, suffering **Share with:** - Adult children caring for aging parents who feel alone - Friends going through divorce or family estrangement - Anyone who recently lost a parent - People in therapy wondering if faith still has something real to offer **Crisis resources:** If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988) or Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).

 Are you waking up with purpose, or just going through the motions?⁠⁠Do Something Beautiful... a message from God to YOU⁠⁠ In this powerful homily, Father Alfonse delivers an urgent wake-up call about the dangers of complacency and the responsibility we have to warn the next generation before it's too late. Drawing from his own story of leaving a lucrative six-figure engineering career, he challenges us to ask the hard question: What really wakes you up in the morning? If it's just your alarm clock... you might be chasing the wrong things. This isn't just another sermon about being a better person. It's a prophetic warning about: ✝️ The emptiness of pursuing money over meaning ✝️ Why Catholic schools are closing (and what it reveals about us) ✝️ How to discover your God-given purpose before it's too late ✝️ The one question that reveals if you're living with passion or just existing Father shares raw, honest stories you won't forget:Why he left engineering after 6 years of school and a master's degreeHis Tuesday morning ritual that motivates 8th graders every weekA Catholic school that closed its doors forever (and the lesson we must learn)A powerful wedding message: "When you love God, no one is out of your league"This message is especially crucial for parents and grandparents who want to spare their children from making the same mistakes. We have a responsibility to warn them about chasing after things that will never satisfy.