St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies

Do you find the meaning of faith sometimes to be too big and unreachable a concept? Father Chuck helps break it down for us with an exploration of today's second reading.  Let us reflect on these "4 facets of faith"—hearing God's call and obeying it, seeking God's kingdom, receiving God's gifts, and offering them back to God for the good of others. The idea for these "4 facets" arose from Fr. Chuck hearing the Formed Daily Reflection for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time by  Dr. Tim Gray, President of the Augustine Institute (http://formed.org; http://augustineinstitute.org); thanks, Dr. Gray! Catholic Mass readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 10, 2025 First Reading: Wisdom 18: 6-9 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 33: 1, 12, 18-19, 20-22 Second Reading: Hebrews 11: 1-2, 8-19 or 11: 1-2, 8-12 Alleluia: Matthew 24: 42a, 44 Gospel: Luke 12: 32-48

Did you know that St. Paul's letters were written before the gospels of the New Testament?  Paul's message to the Colossians is just as applicable today as it was in the first century. He guides them to give up their divisions and put on the love of Christ. Let us pray for the word of Christ to dwell in us so we can put aside the vanities that divide us. Note: Father Chuck precedes today's homily with some interesting follow-up to last week's homily. Catholic Mass readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 3, 2025 First Reading: Ecclesiastes 1: 2; 2: 21-23 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 90: 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17 Second Reading: Colossians 3: 1-5, 9-11 Alleluia: Matthew 5: 3 Gospel: Luke 12: 13-21

Do you tend to disregard certain current events that seem disconnected from our faith?Expanding on the Vigil Mass version, in his Sunday message, Fr. Chuck takes us on a "theological thinking" consideration of two recent events, as we keep in mind the Scripture readings for Mass about God's mercy for all. The death of Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne is one of the events. In their dark, heavy metal music can be heard a confrontation with evil, full of searching and longing that God's love can fill. The other event is the Coldplay concert "kiss cam" scandal. Instead of mocking the couple, we may pray for them and also see that there are innocent victims who need compassion. These events inspire us to be merciful and humble as we bring God's hope to those who most need it.   You can read the commentaries that Father Chuck cites at these links: Osbourne/Black Sabbath commentary Kiss Cam Scandal commentary   Commentaries from the online edition of The National Catholic Register (ncregister.com), copyright © 2025 EWTN News; texts read at Mass and audio recording posted with permission.   Catholic Mass readings for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 27, 2025 First Reading: Genesis 18: 20-32 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 138: 1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8 Second Reading: Colossians 2: 12-14 Alleluia: Romans 8: 15bc Gospel: Luke 11: 1-13

Why doesn't Jesus feel sorry for Martha in today's gospel reading, who is working so hard all by herself? This is another example from the scriptures of Jesus giving us, not what we want, but what we need. While there may be many things to get done, let us be open to the voice of God, and always put God in first place. Catholic Mass readings for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 20, 2025 First Reading: Genesis 18: 1-10a Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 15: 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5 Second Reading: Colossians 1: 24-28 Alleluia: Luke 8: 15 Gospel: Luke 10: 38-42

Do you identify with the Good Samaritan or with the robbery victim in today's gospel reading? Jesus shows us that He can be both, just as we can sometimes be a helper and sometimes need help. We have the opportunity to be Good Samaritans to one another by joining one of our new small faith and friendship groups, to help one another in our faith journey. Please see today's bulletin for more information and join us! Catholic Mass readings for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary time, July 13, 2025 Deuteronomy 30: 10-14 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 69: 14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 or Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 11 Second Reading: Colossians 1: 15-20 Alleluia: John 6: 63c, 68c Gospel: Luke 10: 25-37

Listeners are doubly blessed this week!  We've put the 4pm Saturday Vigil Mass homily and the 9am Sunday Mass homily in a combined recording as one episode. Fr. Chuck told very different stories in the Saturday homily compared to the Sunday versions, and he encourages Saturday Mass participants to hear what the Sunday Mass participants heard, and vice versa. An interlude of about 8 seconds of silence separates the homilies, with the 9am version starting at the 14-minute-and-20-second mark in the recording. Father Chuck's homilies center on the meaning of today's Gospel Acclamation, "Let the Peace of Christ control your hearts;..." His stories show that Jesus brings us peace in both the practical and spiritual ups and downs of life. His peace makes us a new creation, although He sometimes needs to wrestle with us to do so, as we are "stubborn clods of clay". First Reading: Isaiah 66: 10-14c Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 66: 1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16 and 20 Second Reading: Galatians 6: 14-18 Alleluia: Colossians 3: 15a, 16a Gospel: Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20

Why do you think Jesus picked Peter to be the first leader of His church over John, the "beloved disciple"? Paul was a former persecutor of Jesus's followers, while Peter denied Jesus three times, yet God chose them. Father Chuck shares some insights on how we too are called to share our strengths and weaknesses to continue God's work on earth. Catholic Mass readings for Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles , June 29, 2025 First: Acts 12: 1-11 Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Second: Second Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18 Alleluia: Matthew 16: 18 Gospel: Matthew 16: 13-19

Today's homily is from visiting Holy Cross Father Robert Loughery, Superior of the Holy Cross Community at the University of Portland, who filled in for Father Chuck this weekend. Have you looked above the St. Elizabeth of Hungary sanctuary entrance to see the "Bread of Angels" stained glass window? Father Bob reminds us that Jesus is our bread, the ultimate source of grace and all that we need. We are called as Christians to be Christ's bread for others, bringing His healing mercy to the world. Catholic Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 22, 2025 First Reading: Genesis 14: 18-20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 110: 1, 2, 3, 4 Second Reading: First Corinthians 11: 23-26 Alleluia: John 6: 51 Gospel: Luke 9: 11b-17

Have you prayed to St. Anthony recently for his help in finding something lost? Jesus, the treasure we are all seeking, is hidden within each of our human "earthen vessels". The Holy Trinity is the model for our welcoming community of love, to help us when we lose our temper, patience, or hope. Listen to learn about the special x-ray vision we can use to see Jesus in others. Note: Father Chuck gave this homily at Saturday's mass, which was also Julia's baptism. Father Chuck refers to a supplemental reading from June 13, 2025, Friday in the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time, First Reading: 2 Corinthians 4: 7-15. Catholic Mass readings for the Holy Trinity Solemnity, June 15, 2025 First Reading: Proverbs 8: 22-31       Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 8: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Second Reading: Romans 5: 1-5 Alleluia: Revelation 1: 8 Gospel: John 16: 12-15  

What gifts are you receiving from God this Pentecost? Father Chuck continues his series of faith-filled, real stories of the Holy Spirit bringing gifts of discernment and healing all around the world. Listen to how the Lord is working through Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C. (Sisters of St.Clare), and also through us with the gifts of Pentecost. Catholic Mass Readings for Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025 First Reading: Acts 2: 1-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 Second Reading: First Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13 or Romans 8: 8-17 Gospel: John 20: 19-23 or John 14: 15-16, 23b-26

When you read or think about the Ascension of our Lord, do you picture Jesus looking up to heaven? That is how He often appears in artwork, but Father Chuck asks us to look at this Sunday's bulletin. It features an image of stained glass from the Detroit Cathedral showing Jesus looking down with his arms wide open (photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.). We know that Jesus is looking at us with his arms wide open, continually pouring out the Holy Spirit. All we need to do is surrender to His love.  Catholic Mass readings for Ascension Sunday, June 1, 2025 First Reading: Acts 1: 1-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9 Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-23 or Hebrews 9: 24-28; 10: 19-23 Alleluia: Matthew 28: 19a, 20b Gospel: Luke 24: 46-53

How do we recognize God's voice in our lives? Jesus promises in today's Gospel that the Holy Spirit will be "Advocate" and teacher, for us and Jayden Raphael as he receives the grace of Baptism today. Father Chuck shares some inspiring stories of the workings of the Holy Spirit in his life in today's homily. Gospel Catholic Mass readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 25, 2025 First Reading: Acts 15: 1-2, 22-29 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 67: 2-3, 5, 6 and 8 Second Reading: Revelation 21: 10-14, 22-23 Alleluia: John 14: 23 Gospel: John 14: 23-29

Bishop Peter Smith fills in for Father Chuck with this homily on his insights about the election of Pope Leo and his reflections on today's second reading. Did you know that the Holy Spirit is at work in our archdiocese, bringing an increased interest in the Catholic Church, particularly from young men? Our choosing to follow God will bring us to the new heaven and new earth when all creation is renewed. Catholic Mass readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 18, 2025 First Reading: Acts 14: 21-27 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 Second Reading: Revelation 21: 1-5a Alleluia: John 13: 34 Gospel: John 13: 31-33a, 34-35

We're posting this "Bonus" homily in place of the talk Father Chuck gave this Sunday about the Archbishop's Appeal. Father Chuck gave this homily in 2014 on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, which the Church observes as "Good Shepherd Sunday" It was also Mother's Day and was on May 11, just like this year. He preached this homily as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Lake Oswego.    Since this archive homily only refers to the Good Shepherd theme and since the readings from 2014 were different from this year's, we're not listing the readings.   Please enjoy this "bonus" episode which guides us to continue Jesus's work as a Shepherd, and to cloth our mothers with mercy.

Have you ever rejoiced  to be "worthy to suffer dishonor"? While the Sanhedrin feared Jesus's blood in today's first reading, we join the apostles in welcoming it as a sign of His love and sacrifice. Jesus's blood transforms and renews us through the Eucharist so we can share His love with the world. Catholic Mass readings for the third Sunday of Easter, May 4, 2025 First Reading: Acts 5: 27-32, 40b-41 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 30: 2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 Second Reading: Revelation 5: 11-14 Gospel: John 21: 1-19