Fr. Raymond: Sunday Homilies

May, 26 2024 (Trinity Sunday)

Highlights:
The mission of life involves going out and making disciples, starting from baptism and family.
Families mirror the Trinity and should raise children in faith with the help of the parish and sacraments.
The Holy Spirit is important in our lives but often forgotten or ignored.
Encouraged reading St. John Paul II's Letter to Families.
Reminded listeners to look for the Holy Spirit in the little things.
Next Steps
Reflect on where the Holy Spirit may be at work in your own life and recognize the presence of God in the little things. Also, take some time to read St. John Paul II's letter to families, which you can find on our website at Father Raymond's Corner.

May 12, 2024 (Mother's Day)

Highlights:
 
Fr Raymond describes the Church as a nurturing mother and emphasizes its role in comforting and guiding its people.
The importance of thanking and praying for one's mother, whether living or deceased, is stressed.
It concludes by honoring mothers and the Holy Mother Church, recognizing their roles in shaping faith, and expressing gratitude for them.
Next Steps
Remember to thank your mother and pray for her and our Holy Mother Church. Reflect on what it means to believe and consider reading the section "I Believe" in the catechism about the creed.

May 5, 2024

Fr Raymond discusses the concept of love in the context of Christian theology, emphasizing that love is not merely a feeling but an action and a commitment. He references the Catechism and theologians like Aquinas and Balthazar to explain that true love is to will the good of the other and is exemplified by God's love for humanity through Jesus Christ. Fr Raymond encourages listeners to recognize love in actions, not just feelings, and to see the presence of God in others and themselves. He concludes by urging listeners to be grateful for those who have shown them love through sacrifice, particularly Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
Highlights of this episode:
The Catechism defines God as an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Love is not feelings; Aquinas says it is to will the good of the other.
We should understand love through God's actions, especially in giving us His Son.
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate sign of love.
We are encouraged to recognize someone who has sacrificed for us and offer a prayer of thanksgiving.

April 14, 2024

Fr Raymond talks about the impossibility of living a life without sin due to our human nature and original sin. He discusses how St. Peter shows mercy to those who sin out of ignorance and highlights that mortal sins require deliberate action. Fr Raymond explains that Jesus is our advocate, standing with us during temptation and sin. He also touches on the importance of recognizing patterns in our sins to understand deeper issues and grow spiritually. The episode encourages listeners not to despair over repeated sins but to see them as opportunities to seek God's mercy and deepen our relationship with Him.
Highlights:
Original sin has left us with a tendency towards choosing sin, known as concupiscence.
Mortal sins require three conditions: grave matter, full knowledge, and full freedom.
Jesus Christ is our advocate, fighting for us and standing by us during times of temptation and sin.
Jesus shows his presence to his disciples after his resurrection, emphasizing his role in our lives.
Our sins and the struggle with them can be a school of prayer and warfare, leading us to a deeper understanding of God.
Our repeated sins help us identify patterns and underlying issues to work on.

March 31, 2024 (Easter Sunday)

Highlights
Fr. Raymond was doing his seminary studies and was assigned to hospital ministry.
He encountered a man in hospice care who appeared to be dead, but a nurse revived him.
The man, an atheist, expressed his desire for a cigarette and a beach setting for the afterlife.
Fr Raymond engaged the man in imagining his personal version of heaven, leading to a moment of peace.
Fr Raymond emphasizes the importance of hope and the Christian belief in resurrection.
Listeners are encouraged to take time to imagine their own version of heaven and the afterlife.
Fr. Raymond calls on Christians to embrace the joy of Easter and the belief that death has no hold over them.
Next Steps
Take 15 minutes this week to sit by yourself and imagine what you want the afterlife to be like. Think about who you would want to be there and what you are hoping for. Embrace the hope of the resurrection and let that joy fill your heart.

March 28, 2024 (Holy Thursday)

Highlights:
Priests are established for serving the people and administering the sacraments.
Priesthood is a calling received from Jesus Christ, often whispered first by the Blessed Mother.
The calling to priesthood is not immediate but offered repeatedly, requiring the individual to listen.
Priests are meant to be suffering servants, like Jesus, and have a unique insight into the human heart.
Priests are called to cleanse the 'dirtiest' part of a person, which in modern times refers to internal struggles.
The Holy Eucharist is where the priest calls down the Holy Spirit, making Jesus Christ present under the appearance of bread and wine.
Priests remind people of their dignity and worth as daughters and sons of Jesus Christ.
Fr. Raymond reflects on his own journey to priesthood, overcoming self-doubt and obstacles.
The Eucharist and other sacraments are essential for spiritual cleansing and cannot exist without priests.
Fr Raymond urges listeners to pray for priests and for openness to God's plan for their lives.
Next Steps
Remember to pray for your local priests and stay open to what God has in store for you.

March 24, 2024 (Palm Sunday)

In this Palm Sunday Homily, Fr. Raymond discusses the importance of keeping watch with Jesus, focusing on a specific scene where Jesus desires the company of his friends during a tough moment. He encourages listeners to be more mindful in their prayer life, especially during Holy Week, and to make an effort to stay present and connected to Jesus, just like he wished for his apostles.
Highlights:
Jesus desired the company of his apostles during a tough moment, showing the importance of friendship and relationship.
Jesus found the apostles sleeping twice when he wished for them to be awake and pray with him.
The narrative requires deep contemplation and prayer to fully grasp its significance.
We often resemble the apostles, being distracted and not as connected to Jesus as he desires.
Fr Raymond challenges listeners to be more mindful in their prayer life during Holy Week.
He suggests bringing oneself to the garden in prayer to prepare for the events of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Holy Week.
Fr Raymond emphasizes that we owe it to Jesus to be vigilant, as he has sacrificed for us.
Next Steps
Let's make an effort to be more present in our prayer life this week, especially as we prepare for the events of Holy Week. Try to spend more time in prayer and stay vigilant, just as Jesus desired of his apostles.

March 17, 2024

Highlights
Approaching Holy Week and the end of Lent is a time to think about how to die well.
Contemplating death can lead to peace and understanding when our time comes.
The story of the Greeks coming to worship at the Passover feast signifies unity and the right time for Jesus.
Our life's impact is seen in how we are remembered by others.
College students often focus too much on themselves, which can be a sign of a false idol.
Prioritizing others over ourselves is a lesson from Jesus' life and death.
Our true identity comes from Jesus, not from our sufferings or illnesses.
Suffering is meant to turn us towards our neighbors, not inward.
Christian life is about the person next to you, not about yourself.
Next Step
Take some time this week to think about how often you focus on yourself and instead try doing some acts of charity for others.

March 03, 2024

Highlights
The fourth commandment extends beyond honoring just father and mother to include respect for elders, teachers, employers, and leaders.
Children, both minors and adults, are required by God's commandment to respect their parents.
Parents often feel their greatest accomplishment is if their child grows up to be a good person.
Parents should respect their children as individuals and should not pressure them into certain professions or relationships.
Students owe respect to their professors and should not spread gossip or believe they know more.
Parents should acknowledge their own failings to better guide and correct their children.
The commandment fosters charity and peace within families and educational environments.
Fr Raymond encourages listeners to reflect on their relationships with parents, siblings, and authority figures, and to foster peace in their lives.
Next Steps
Let's take a moment this week to call our family, pray for them, and reflect on the sacrifices our parents have made. If you're away at college, give your parents a real call, not just a text, and try to foster that relationship. Also, ponder how you conduct yourselves in the classroom and with your responsibilities to help foster peace in our often chaotic and stressful environments.

February 25, 2024

Fr. Raymond compares the spiritual journey to climbing a mountain.
He discusses the challenge of giving up something precious for Lent and how it can lead to anger and frustration.
Fr. Raymond mentions the danger of becoming too content with our spiritual practices.
He emphasizes the importance of not getting stuck in one spiritual state but to keep growing and sharing our experiences with others.
Fr. Raymond recalls a personal story of climbing a mountain with fellow seminarians and learning from the journey.
He encourages listeners to keep climbing in their spiritual journey, relying on family and friends for support.
Fr. Raymond suggests that the climb down the mountain after reaching the peak represents the hope and new life that awaits us at Easter.
The episode invites listeners to reflect on where they are in their spiritual journey halfway through Lent.