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.
In the "Apostles' Creed" we proclaim our belief in a "communion of saints". Are they only individuals formally canonized by the Church? The Apostle Paul in his letters referred to his people thirty nine times as "saints", brothers and sisters in the faith who were made holy as God is holy. People who live in virtue of faith, hope and charity are not bricks or rafters in a church but "living stones" as Saint Peter described, people who live their lives consciously in a communion of saints within a Church of living stones. (1 Peter 2,5).
This is a message that challenges our fear, on a couple of levels. It challenges the fear that confronts us now -- fear of plague, loss, disease and death. And it challenges our hidden fear of Christ's return like a thief in the night -- and the loss that that will bring
Like Boy Scouts at a high adventure camp, we are challenged to choose our treasure, dress for action and be ready for anything.
Supernatural faith in the Person of Christ is accepting as true what he has told us about himself, because we have evidence that he is trustworthy and honest. But it is more personal than that. The Lord invades your life and my life. We do not cross over to him; rather, he comes to us, and he reveals himself to you in your deepest interior. That is where he dwells, and he calls you and me to meet him there in that space. To agree to meet him there really is a matter of faith, trust, and risk.
Following the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus sends his disciples across the lake and dismisses the crowd. He then spends the night in prayer. While it is still night, Jesus walks on the water to join his disciples. Peter comes out of the boat but starts to sink and is saved by Jesus. The disciples recognize Jesus as the Son of God. But the mission of Jesus is not yet complete -- then or now.