Fr Jim Chern's Homilies

Forgiveness is one of those things that sounds beautiful—until we actually have someone to forgive. Jesus tells Peter not simply to forgive, but to forgive without keeping score. That doesn’t mean pretending the hurt didn’t happen, excusing what was wrong, or allowing someone to keep hurting us. It means refusing to let another person’s sin have the final word in our lives. What if one of the most convincing witnesses to our faith is what people see when Christians have every reason to become bitter, angry, or vengeful—and choose mercy instead? “You hurt me. But you don’t get to own me.” A homily for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time on Matthew 18:21–35, Romans 14:7–9, and Sirach 27:30–28:7. Read the homily at Homily on the Spot: https://homilyonthespot.com/

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, the memories still feel remarkably close. I was 27 years old, only two years into the priesthood, serving at a parish less than 15 miles from the Twin Towers. We could see them burning. We heard the military jets overhead. And in the weeks and months that followed came funeral Masses—including for two young men, ages 25 and 29, whose names I’ve never forgotten. But remembering 9/11 raises a question deeper than simply, “Where were you?” Where are you going? Today’s Scriptures remind us that this world was never meant to be our final home. St. Paul tells us to “run so as to win,” and Jesus challenges us to open our eyes and examine our own lives. Remembering how fragile life is isn’t meant to make us afraid. It should make us awake—and unwilling to waste the life God has given us. Based on 1 Corinthians 9:16–19, 22–27; Psalm 84; and Luke 6:39–42. Read the homily at Homily on the Spot: https://homilyonthespot.com/2026/09/11/9-11-where-are-you-going/

What’s the opposite of love? Most of us would probably say hate. But maybe there’s something quieter — and sometimes even more dangerous: “I don’t care.” “Not my responsibility.” “Not my problem.” In this homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Jim Chern reflects on Jesus’ challenging teaching about confronting someone who has gone astray — and the difference between correcting someone because we want to win an argument and speaking because we don’t want to lose a brother or sister. Christian love isn’t simply being nice. It doesn’t mean fixing everybody, tolerating destructive behavior, or ignoring necessary boundaries. But it does mean refusing to become indifferent. Because Jesus never looks at another human being and says: “Lost cause.” The Cross is the ultimate opposite of indifference: God saying, You matter too much to Me for Me to abandon you. 🎧 NOT MY PROBLEM Homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Ezekiel 33:7–9 | Romans 13:8–10 | Matthew 18:15–20 Read the homily at HomilyOnTheSpot.com and follow Fr. Jim Chern’s Homilies wherever you listen to podcasts. #catholic #homilies

THE JESUS WHO FOLLOWS ME | Catholic Homily You can believe in Jesus. Love Jesus. Call Him Lord. And still spend your life trying to lead Him. In this homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Jim Chern reflects on one of the most jarring moments in the Gospel: only moments after Peter correctly identifies Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” he begins telling Jesus what His mission should—and should not—look like. Peter wants Jesus. He just wants Jesus according to Peter’s plan. And that raises an uncomfortable question for every Christian: Who’s leading whom? We can ask Jesus to bless our plans, our relationships, our ambitions and our picture of the future—but discipleship means leaving Him enough room to interrupt those plans, redirect us, challenge us, and sometimes ask us to surrender something we never expected to give up. Because if Jesus can never tell me no, never redirect my plans, never challenge me, and never ask me to let something go… “I’ve created a Jesus who follows me. And that Jesus cannot save me.” 🎧 Listen and reflect: What might Jesus be asking you to surrender—and are you willing to let Him lead? 📖 Read the full homily: https://homilyonthespot.com/2026/08/28/the-jesus-who-follows-me/ If this homily speaks to you, please like, repost, share it with someone, and follow Fr. Jim Chern’s Homilies on SoundCloud so you don’t miss future reflections. Scripture: Matthew 16:21–27 • Jeremiah 20:7–9 • Romans 12:1–2 #Catholic #CatholicHomily #Homily #Jesus #CatholicFaith #Christianity #Discipleship #Gospel #SundayMass #Faith

Everyone has an opinion about Jesus. But Jesus doesn't ask Peter what everyone else thinks. He asks: “Who do you say that I am?” And if Peter's answer is actually true — if Jesus really is the Christ — then Christianity can't simply be one part of our lives. Gospel: Matthew 16:13–20 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time homilyonthespot.com