Lifeissues is mainly concerned with publishing thoughtful articles directly related to issues raised in Evangelium Vitae. However, from the very beginning, we have also published a few related homilies, notably by Fr. Al Cariño, O.M.I., Fr. Tony Pueyo, and others.
Please use the pulldowns below to select a homily by Liturgical Calendar date.
Many well meaning people consider heaven a worthy destination like some place to vacation with brochure in hand and not really understanding how radically those who enter heaven must first change while here, a transformation which must begin here like immigrants who put behind themselves their homeland to become citizens of another country and society.
Having told his disciples for the second time what would happen to him in Jerusalem, Jesus sets his face decisively for that city. We're told about three people who want to follow Jesus "but" - but want to put their own conditions on discipleship. As he is starting out with the Twelve, Jesus has to rebuke two of them who want to punish a city that refused to receive him. Those two extremes, of halfway commitment and fanaticism, are to be distinguished from a total commitment to follow the way of Jesus.
In the gospel reading for today, Jesus seems to be preparing his recently appointed disciples for both the brickbats and bouquets that await them. His words are a kindly reality check. Preaching a Gospel of repentance will not always be perceived as a welcoming Gospel. The disciples will not always be feted with parades and applause, nor will they be free from hostility and pushback. No doubt a mix of cheers and jeers will be the norm. Perhaps you, too, have felt the sting of that opprobrium when your commitment to Jesus and his values came to light.