Season 2

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.

February 04, 2024

Key Highlights
- Simon's mother-in-law in the gospel had a fever, which was a big deal back then because they didn't have modern medicine.
- Jesus approached Simon's mother-in-law, took her hand, and helped her up - she had to do some of the work to get better.
- Getting up from our struggles is the hardest part of the spiritual journey, but Jesus is always ready to help us.
- After being healed, Simon's mother-in-law served others, showing the importance of helping our neighbors.
- We need to have the courage to take Jesus' hand and stand up to be healed.
- Prayer is essential; it's the 'water' that helps grow the seeds of grace.
- Jesus wants us to face him so we can be healed and he can look at us.
Action Steps
- Reflect on a time when you faced a challenge and imagine Jesus offering his hand to help you up.
- Think of ways you can help your neighbors or classmates this week, just like Simon's mother-in-law did after she was healed.
- Spend some time in prayer this week to 'water' the seeds of grace in your life.
Listener Challenge
This week, I challenge you to identify one area in your life that is 'suffering from a fever' - it could be a personal struggle or a challenge you're facing. Take a moment to reflect on how you can reach out and take Jesus' hand to help you overcome it.

January 28 2024

Key Highlights
- Jesus' penetrating gaze can redirect the course of our lives.
- Affirm the tangible presence of demonic activity and its various manifestations.
- Neglecting the reality of evil makes us more vulnerable.
- The divine capacity of God's gaze to banish demons.
- We are cherished and endowed with purpose and meaning through Jesus Christ.
Action Steps
- Contemplate Jesus' invitation and your response.
- Recognize evil's influence in your life and seek Jesus Christ's protection through baptism, the Eucharist, and confession.
- Dedicate time for prayer, inviting Jesus' scrutinizing gaze and the bravery to be fully seen.
- Open your heart to Jesus' gaze, receiving his love and his purpose for you.
Listener Challenge
Embrace the challenge to heighten your awareness of evil's impact on your life and to actively pursue Jesus Christ's protection and direction.
Next Steps
Ponder the profound impact of Jesus' gaze and the defense he provides. Commit to deepening your bond with him through the sacraments and prayer.

January 07, 2024

Key Highlights
- I share my musings on the joy and awe that accompany learning and engaging in hobbies
- I examine the deeper meaning behind the magi's gifts
- I urge you to present your personal gifts and talents to the Lord
- I challenge you to contemplate the value of your own gifts and talents
Action Steps
- Present your unique gifts and talents to the Lord
- Reflect on the significance of your gifts and talents
Listener Challenge
Consider the impact your gifts and talents have and how they can spread joy and hope to others.

January_01_2024

Key Highlights
- Mothers play a pivotal role in providing comfort and nurturing during the formative years of a child's life.
- The divine love of Jesus can be profoundly experienced through a motherly figure.
- Mary contemplates the gifts bestowed upon her, thereby deepening her bond with Jesus.
- Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts resonate with the immaculate heart of Mary.
Action Steps
- Take a moment to reflect on the role and influence of your own mother in your life.
- Harbor your prayers and thoughts within your heart, fostering a deeper connection with the sacred heart of Jesus.
- Ponder over the comforting experience of resting in Mary's arms.
- Always remember, Mary, with her arms wide open and her embrace warm and tender, is always there for us.
Listener Challenge
I challenge you to take some time to rest in your Mary’s arms, in your meditative prayer. Experience the tenderness and love that Jesus receives from Mary.