Homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension, Year A. Although I have a German last-name, there’s actually very little I know about German history or culture. The most German thing about me, besides my last-name, is that I like bratwurst. But even then, I put ketchup on my bratwurst, which is pretty much a heresy. …
Show Us the Father
Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A. Two weeks ago, eight men were ordained deacons for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. These men will go on to be ordained priests next May, God-willing. But for this next year they will commit themselves to serving as deacons, proclaiming the gospel at Mass, serving at the …
The Answer to Every Question
Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A. The most central mystery of our Catholic faith is the mystery of the Trinity. And in the Gospel of John, perhaps more than in any other gospel, Jesus gives us an insight into this mystery. In particular, He gives us an insight into His relationship with …
Costly Mercy or Cheap Mercy
Homily for Divine Mercy Sunday 2023. As a doctor, and especially as a Catholic doctor, my dad often joked that, because of the kinds of things his patients shared with him, he had heard many “confessions” during his years of practicing medicine. He had heard many “confessions,” he just couldn't offer absolution. I imagine the …
Easter – “Alleluia!”
Homily for Easter 2023. Because of the way the date for Easter is calculated, it can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. In Wisconsin, this means that some Easters feel more like spring and others more like winter. I remember Easters that have been warm and sunny and others which have been cold …
Good Friday – “Behold”
Homily for Good Friday 2023. The summer after my fourth year in seminary I had the opportunity to serve as a chaplain for eleven weeks at a Catholic hospital in Indianapolis. As a priest, I get called to the hospital about once a week or so, and so my experience that summer was great preparation …
Holy Thursday – “To the end”
Homily for Holy Thursday 2023. “He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” In the year 1834, in the country of China, a native family who were converts to the Catholic faith welcomed a baby boy into the world. They gave him the Christian name of “Mark.” When Mark …
Palm Sunday – “Shaken”
Homily for Palm Sunday 2023. Two of the most difficult years in my life were my first two years studying to be a priest. Despite the opportunities for daily Mass and personal prayer, I never felt more distant from God in my life. I was discouraged and deeply confused by this. I thought things would …
The Sickness unto Death
Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A. Once upon a time, in the Land of Arcadia, there lived a boy named Henry. Henry was no ordinary boy; he was a prince, the only son of his father, and the next in line to the throne. When Henry was young, he used to dream …
Of Sandwiches and Secrets
Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent, Year A. I want you to imagine going to your kitchen late at night to make yourself a midnight snack. For some of you, that’s not hard to imagine; it’s a regular occurrence. But imagine going to your kitchen late at night to make yourself a sandwich. It’s …
Isaiah Forty-Three 