08/25/13 (You) Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate.

Homily from the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.

"Jesus doesn't just say, "(You) Strive." He says, "(You) Strive to enter the 'narrow gate.'" The question is this: Am I striving for Heaven? This is Gut Check Sunday. We actually have to have a little gut check and ask the question. Those who are going to Heaven are striving. Those who are not striving are going to hell. Question. Gut check. Am I striving? Am I striving for God? Am I striving for Jesus?"

Mass Readings from August 25, 2013:
Isaiah 66:18-21
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Luke 13:22-30

08/18/13 Run So As to Win

Homily from the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

"Do I invite things into my life intentionally that slow me down in the race of becoming a saint? Think about this: if you're a professional athlete, and you knew that there was something you were taking in regularly, like some kind of food that if you ate it, you always performed worse after that. Not that it would make you a terrible athlete, but it just wouldn't make you an optimal athlete. But you're a professional athlete, would you even consider taking that food in? Absolutely not. Because you know as a profession athlete that you're not there to just show up and compete and get a finisher's ribbon, you're there to win. This thing slows me down. Therefore, it has no part of my life. It's the same kind of thing when it comes to our faith. If I'm just here to compete, then that's pathetic. I'm here to win. And if something slows me down, it has no part of my life."

Mass Readings from August 18, 2013:
Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Hebrews 12:1-4
Luke 12:49-53