Fr. Brian Soliven Sunday Sermons

When we encounter the mercy of Jesus firsthand, when we truly grasp how deeply we are loved and forgiven despite our flaws, it changes us. His grace softens the edges of our judgment and replaces pride with compassion. We begin to see others not as problems to fix, but as people to love. The faults in others no longer provoke frustration, but invite empathy, because we remember our own need for mercy. And in that remembering, we learn to extend the same gentle kindness that was so freely given to us. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

***At the end, the last five minutes is a bonus hymn from our 10AM Holy Mass***We moderns have so arranged our religious instincts that we think the divine voice must always sound like a lullaby, when in fact it often sounds like a trumpet. We wish to hear of lilies and sparrows, forgetting that even lilies toil and sparrows fall. So when Christ, with the thunder of truth behind His quiet Galilean voice, declares: “Strive to enter by the narrow gate”, we are brought to a sudden and sobering attention. It is the call not of consolation, but of combat.It is the strange and startling reality of Christianity that it begins with a paradox and ends with a challenge. The paradox is that the gate to life is narrow, while destruction's road is spacious and easy. The challenge is that we must strive—not drift, not dawdle, not meander—but strive, as one who sweats in the effort to reach something worth attaining. The narrow gate does not admit the flabby soul or couch potato. It is a door carved not in comfort, but in courage.The narrow gate is hard because it is honest. It makes no allowance for pretension. One cannot swagger through it, carrying the weight of vanity or the baggage of pride. It allows no masks, for it was carved by Him who sees the inner hidden heart. We must stoop to enter it. The tall towers of self-importance will not pass through. The narrow gate is entered singly, like birth and death.And yet, what joy is hidden in this austere invitation! For though it is narrow, it is not closed. Though it is small, it is open to all. The child can pass through as well as the philosopher. The thief on the cross passed through it in the final hour. It is not guarded by angels with flaming swords, but by truth and repentance. That is why the striving is not the striving of the proud, but of the penitent.There are those who say the world has grown too wide for such a narrow gate. But I say it is precisely because the world is so wide and wild that we need that slender doorway more than ever. The soul must have a compass. The heart must have a harbor. In an age that flings itself into every appetite, it is the narrow gate that preserves “God's image and likeness” in each of us. So then, let us strive—not with clenched fists, but with open hands. Let us strive to surrender, which is the most paradoxical of all efforts. For in striving to enter the narrow gate, we are not striving to become less, but more truly ourselves—less stuffed with shadows, and more filled with light. We are not constricted, but released.Christ's words are not the locked door of a vault, but the narrow entrance to a kingdom beyond all imagining. And if it is hard to enter, it is only because Heaven is too large to fit through the doorway of the ego. Let us bow low. And then, let us walk through. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Humility is the heartbeat of every Christ-centered relationship, reflecting the very nature of Jesus, who though He was God chose to serve rather than be served. In light of His example, humility allows us to love without pride, listen without judgment, and forgive without hesitation. It softens our hearts, making space for grace to flourish between us. When we approach others with humility, we mirror the gentleness of Christ, building relationships not on ego or control, but on compassion, patience, and mutual respect. True strength in relationships is found not in being right, but in being Christlike. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

God longs to throw a wedding feast for humanity—a celebration of love, joy, and eternal union. In His heart burns a divine desire to gather us, not as strangers or servants, but as beloved guests at His table. Like a bridegroom preparing for his bride, He adorns heaven with beauty and grace, waiting for each soul to accept His invitation. This feast is not just a promise of the future—it's a reflection of His relentless pursuit of our hearts, a reminder that we were created not for fear or distance, but for communion, celebration, and everlasting love. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

In the unspeakable darkness of the Nazi concentration camps of World War II, Viktor Frankl famously said, “What is to give light must endure burning.” It is a line that glows with quiet terror—and truth. For there is no true light in this world that has not come through some flame. Even stars must burn to shine. In order for something to be luminous or radiant warmth, it must die to itself. It is written in the very laws of thermodynamics. The price to enjoy life on earth, for example, our sun must spend itself: in 5 billion years it will phase into a Red Giant as it exhausts its hydrogen, then into a Planetary Nebula, and finally into a White Dwarf, slowly cooling off into oblivion. And so it is with souls.Christ Himself declares today in this Sunday's Gospel passage, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Not the fire of destruction, but the fire of love—fierce, purifying, and sacrificial. It is the fire of a heart ablaze, the fire of the Cross, where God gave not just light, but Himself. There is a truth so beautifully strange and yet so profoundly simple that it might be mistaken for folly by the wisdom of the world. It is the great Christian paradox: that we find our true selves not by grasping tighter, but by dying entirely; that the road to life is paved by the death of our egotistical desires.In an age that celebrates the self as king, the notion of dying to one's own needs and ambitions seems almost absurd. Yet this is precisely the wisdom that Christianity proclaims with a joyful boldness. We are invited to a paradoxical journey where losing our life in the service of others is the very means by which we gain it. “He who loses his life for my sake,” said Christ, “will find it.” Think of it: the ego, that restless tyrant demanding attention, acclaim, and self-preservation, must be dethroned. It is only when we say “No” to our selfish cravings that we open the door to a fuller, richer life. This is not a diminishment but a liberation—a liberation from the chains of the self that bind us to loneliness, fear, and despair.Like a candle that burns itself to give light, or a seed that falls into the earth to rise in newness, the Christian life calls us to die to self so that we may truly live. This death is not a bleak end but a joyful transformation. The gift of ourselves—freely given, without calculation—is the very thing that reveals the depth and dignity of our souls. And here lies the great wonder: in the giving of ourselves, we are given to ourselves in return. The self that seemed so fragile and fleeting is made eternal in the embrace of grace. It is a truth that will bring this fire upon the earth. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

The Catholic teaching of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven reminds us of the sacred dignity and eternal destiny of the human body. Mary, taken body and soul into heavenly glory, reveals the fullness of God's promise to humanity—that our bodies, not just our souls, are destined for resurrection and glory. Her Assumption is a sign of hope for all believers, showing that through God's grace, our earthly lives and bodies are not meaningless or discarded, but will one day be transformed. It calls us to honor the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and to live in joyful expectation of our own share in the resurrection. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

St. Maximilian Kolbe demonstrated a powerful witness of love through his ultimate act of self-sacrifice at Auschwitz, where he volunteered to die in place of another prisoner—a stranger and a father. Motivated by his deep faith and devotion to Christ and the Virgin Mary, Kolbe's love transcended fear and self-preservation, embodying the Gospel's call to lay down one's life for others. His martyrdom stands as a radiant testament to the power of selfless love, even in the face of unimaginable evil. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

We must remember, as Moses stood on the heights of Mount Nebo, gazing upon a land he would never tread, that the promise of God is not always the path we walk but the purpose He weaves. It is a strange comfort, is it not, that the man who led so faithfully was withheld from the reward he seemed to earn? Yet here lies the greater mystery -- God had something even better in store. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

We must remember, as Moses stood on the heights of Mount Nebo, gazing upon a land he would never tread, that the promise of God is not always the path we walk but the purpose He weaves. It is a strange comfort, is it not, that the man who led so faithfully was withheld from the reward he seemed to earn? Yet here lies the greater mystery -- God had something even better in store. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Moses, like a mighty mountain casting its last long shadow over the trembling plains, closes the book of Deuteronomy not with the wearied groans of a man defeated, but with the triumphant thunder of a prophet who has seen the Promised Land. There is something oddly divine in his departure—this leader who once stammered now speaks in soaring poetry, blessing tribes like a bard whose soul burns with the fire of God. His farewell is not merely a curtain-call, but the last great note of a symphony that has wandered through wilderness and rebellion, now rising into the solemn music of destiny. He dies, as all true heroes must, just before the victory—because the glory, like all good things, is not for the servant, but for the service. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

***Bonus hymn at the end of the homily from the 10AM Mass***In rural Vacaville, we are familiar with the cry of the rooster crows, as the stars have already blinked out of the sky and a new day is at hand and yet, we are always surprised by morning. So it shall be with the coming of the Son of Man. There is a great paradox in this age, a thing so blindingly obvious that only a modern man could miss it. We prepare for every uncertain thing—storms, exams, pensions, and the possibility of rain on a picnic—but we are scandalously unprepared for the one certain thing: that Christ shall come again in glory, and His kingdom shall have no end.Now, if you tell a man on the street that Jesus might return this afternoon, he will smile in pity or smirk in cynicism. But tell him his phone battery might die before lunch, and he will run for a charger. We are a race that believes more fervently in the failure of lithium than in the triumph of the Lamb. And yet, the trumpet shall sound.Our Lord warns in the Gospel this Sunday, “Watch therefore, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” He did not say this to make us nervous, like students awaiting an unannounced quiz. He said it because Heaven is not a theory—it is a wedding. And no one should be caught unwashed and half-dressed when the Bridegroom knocks. I tell you, the world is not a waiting room; it is a battleground, a vineyard, and a bridal chamber all at once. It is not that we have too little time to prepare, but too much noise to remember that time runs out. We are not meant to guess the hour. We are meant to be ready in every hour.It is a curious thing that when the early Christians spoke of the Second Coming, they did not wring their hands, but lifted their heads. “Maranatha,” they cried—not with fear, but with fire. Come, Lord Jesus! The Church was not built by those who played at religion in peacetime, but by saints who stood watch in the dark, their lamps burning, like loyal soldiers awaiting the return of their general.And what if He does not return today? Then we live today as if He might—for that is what it means to live in hope. Hope is not wishing upon stars; it is keeping your boots laced and your heart clean because you know the King will ride through the mist. Do not be lulled by the delay. The world will lull you with distractions, with duties, with deadlines, with dopamine. It will whisper, “He delays His coming.” But Christ's return is not late. It is sudden. When He comes, the masquerade of modernity will be torn like a stage curtain, and the souls of men will be revealed—naked in shame or clothed in glory. Therefore, I say to you: keep your soul in a state of readiness. Not with anxiety, but with awe. Not with fear, but with fervor.Feed the hungry. Forgive your enemies. Light your lamp. Love your Lord. For when the trumpet sounds, there will be no time to put oil in the lamp. And yet—oh, glorious paradox!—it is today that He knocks. In the beggar. In the Word. In the still small voice. The Second Coming may be closer than we think. Are you ready? --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

It is a curious thing, and wholly divine, that the tiniest speck of true faith—no larger than a mustard seed, Our Lord tells us—can upheave mountains and send them staggering into the sea. The world worships size, power, and spectacle, yet it is Heaven that smiles upon the small. A mustard seed is a laughably small thing, and yet it holds within it a forest in potential, a kingdom in miniature. So it is with faith. It is not the pomp of religion nor the parade of certainty that moves the hand of God, but the trembling trust of the soul that dares to believe, even while surrounded by shadows. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

In the trials and tempests of life, we are called not to fear, but to trust ever more deeply in the Lord, who never abandons His children. Just as Christ slept peacefully in the boat amidst the storm, so too must we place our confidence in Him, knowing that His divine providence guides all things. Faith is not the absence of struggle, but the certainty that even in suffering, God is near—working all for the good of those who love Him. In surrendering to His will, we find true peace, rooted not in the calmness of the world, but in the steadfast heart of God. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ reveals the profound unity between His divinity and humanity. Upon Mount Tabor, the radiant light that shone from Christ's face and garments was not a light cast from without, but the splendor of His divine nature, veiled in humility yet now momentarily unveiled. In this glorious manifestation, the Church is given a foretaste of the resurrection and the destiny of all who follow Him. Moses and Elijah speak with Him, signifying the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, for Christ is the living center of salvation history. Let us, then, fix our gaze on the transfigured Lord, that we too may be transformed by grace and drawn into the luminous mystery of divine love. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

***BONUS Meditation Hymn at the end from St. Mary's beautiful choir***In every age, man is tempted to believe that the world is enough. He builds cities of glass and steel, sculpts gods in his own image, and fills his days with noise and novelty—yet his soul remains restless. As Saint Augustine so rightly said famously, our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee. He walked in the barren desert of lavish imperial courts and indulged in the finest wines of ancient Rome and found it wanting. To live for this world alone is to walk in a beautiful prison: adorned, yes—but still a cage.The Christian life begins with a startling reversal. It tells us not merely to look forward, or even inward, but upward. Sursum corda—lift up your hearts! This call that we say during the Eucharistic prayer, echoing through every Mass, is no poetic flourish. It is a scream and a command from above that we are meant for more. It is the very axis upon which the soul must turn if it is to be free. Does not every human heart desire frustratingly more? Our Lord this Sunday in the Gospel Reading is crystal clear: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions.” (Cf. Luke 12:15). Does this not ring true? How fresh to hear this teaching from the lips of Jesus, compared to the putrid air that we've all been forced to breathe. For heaven is not a sentimental escape from earth—it is the meaning of earth. To aim for heaven is not to despise the world, but to see it rightly. A man who knows the stars walks straighter on the road. Indeed, it is only by contemplating eternity that we begin to understand time.The great English convert from atheism to Catholicism, G.K. Chesterton, with his usual cheerful thunder, reminds us that the saints are not the ones who escape reality, but the ones who embrace it with such vigor that they can laugh even at death. They have chosen the one thing that cannot be shaken—the eternal love of God. That my friends, is why we are created, why we come to Mass, and why we worship Jesus Christ. And so, we must ask: Where is our treasure? If it is buried in the shifting sands of fashion, fortune, or fleeting pleasure, we shall be buried with it. But if it is anchored in Christ—who is seated at the right hand of the Father—then we are already rising, even now.Let the world chatter; let it parade its vanities, for as we heard in the first reading today, "vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! … For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? All his days, sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest.” (Cf. Ecclesiastes 2:22). We are called higher! The Christian smiles, not in scorn, but in serene defiance—for his eyes are fixed on something greater. We are not made for dust, but for glory. Heaven is not far—it is our home. We must not forget it. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

In the paradoxical poetry of divine wisdom, it is precisely the apparent chaos of the world that most loudly proclaims the careful choreography of God's providence. The stars do not govern man, nor does man govern himself, but rather both are held in the palm of our Heavenly Father who is at once infinite and intimate. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

The notion that man is meant to become divine may strike the modern mind as madness—and indeed, it is—but it is a divine madness, a holy paradox at the very heart of Christianity. The Church does not merely say that man should be good, or even that he should be better; she dares to say that he is called to be like God. Not in pride, as the serpent whispered, but in humility. Through the astonishing mercy of a God who stooped so low as to become man, so that man might be lifted to the heights of and become like Him. It is not that our humanity is abolished, but that it is completed, transfigured. The carpenter from Nazareth builds not only tables, but saints. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

The world, in all its modern sophistication, has grown far too clever to pray. It invents machines to answer questions and philosophies to avoid them. It has built tall towers of noise and named them progress. And yet, in the still, stubborn soul of the Christian, there remains something wonderfully irrational—a voice that persists in prayer. It is, by all worldly measures, a foolish thing to do. To speak into silence, to plead with the invisible, to wait for what does not arrive on time—this is either the height of madness or the height of faith. And Christianity, to its eternal credit, has always chosen both.Prayer is not a mere religious exercise; it is a rebellion against despair. It is the protest of the soul against the finality of facts. The atheist accepts the world as it is; the Christian kneels precisely because he does not. He prays for the sick because he believes death is not the final word. He prays for peace because he believes history is not a closed book. He prays for daily bread because he dares to believe that the universe has a Giver.But above all, the Christian perseveres in prayer. That is the madness that frightens the modern mind most of all—not that the believer prays, but that he keeps praying. He does not stop when nothing happens. He does not give up when the heavens are brass and the silence grows thick and terrible. No, he returns, day after day, like a lover to a locked door, not because he is deluded, but because he is in love. He knows that God is not a machine to be activated, nor a tyrant to be appeased, but a Father to be trusted. And fathers sometimes wait, not because they are cruel, but because they know what is best for their children.The saints knew this. They were not holy because they got what they asked for, but because they asked and kept asking, even when the answer was a long and aching silence. They understood that prayer does not merely move the hand of God—it moves the heart of man. It stretches the soul. It chisels away pride and polishes the hard edges of the will. It is, in the end, less about our words reaching Heaven and more about Heaven reaching into us.So persevere, dear Christian. Pray when it is easy, and more when it is not. Pray when God seems near, and especially when He seems absent. For in that absurd fidelity—in that unreasonable, unyielding tenacity—you will discover the deepest secret of the saints: that the very act of prayer is itself the answer. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

In the crucible of our deepest pain, where the heart is pierced by sorrow and trial, we encounter the mystery of Christ's own suffering. It is precisely in these moments of darkness that Jesus, the Suffering Servant, draws near, offering His compassionate presence. Through the cross, He transforms our anguish into a path of grace, inviting us to unite our wounds with His, that we may find not despair, but the hope of resurrection. In our pain, we are never alone, for He is with us, the source of all consolation. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

At once comical and cosmic, there is something in the way man complains, even when Heaven is feeding him. In the wilderness, where logic would say all things perish, God instead sends bread—not baked by human hands, but falling like dew upon the dust, as if the stars themselves were shedding crumbs. The Israelites, ever the connoisseurs of captivity, grumbled for garlic and leeks, yet God gave them manna—mystery made meal. It is the grand jest of divine mercy: that when man is at his most miserable, God is at His most generous. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Modern man flees from suffering as if it were a thief in the night, yet the Catholic Church dares to call it a treasure. In the divine paradox so dear to the Catholic mind, redemptive suffering is not a mark of defeat but a participation in the grand drama of salvation. The world sees pain as meaningless, but the Church—scandalously, gloriously—sees the Cross. She teaches that our sufferings, united with Christ's, are not merely endured but offered, like incense rising to heaven, fragrant with love. The martyrs did not die because God abandoned them, but because He invited them to draw nearer. This is not stoicism; it is a song sung in agony—a song that shakes the gates of Hell. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Suffering, in its raw and earthly form, often feels like loss—of control, of comfort, of certainty. Yet in the mystery of the Cross, suffering is transformed into something beautiful and redemptive. For the Christian, pain is never wasted. When united to Jesus crucified, suffering becomes a hidden seed of joy—a deep, burning joy that springs not from relief or resolution, but from love.Nowhere is this paradox more vividly lived than in the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The Poverello, the little poor man of God, did not seek comfort but embraced poverty, rejection, and pain with startling eagerness. He called suffering his “sister” and welcomed the cross as a kiss from Christ. To most, this is madness. To the eyes of faith, it is radiant sanity.St. Francis understood that the Cross is not merely an object of devotion but a doorway to deeper union. When we suffer in communion with Jesus, we are drawn into His redeeming love. The pierced hands and feet of the Savior become not just symbols of sacrifice but invitations to intimacy. In bearing wounds, we share in His mission; in being broken, we become like Him.It was in his own suffering that Francis found his deepest joy. When he received the stigmata—the wounds of Christ—in his body, it was not with fear but with trembling awe and gratefulness. His pain was not merely endured; it was loved. Why? Because it drew him closer to the Beloved. Suffering, then, was no longer a curse, but a triumphant crown.This does not glorify pain for its own sake. It is not a call to masochism or despair. Rather, it is a call to see with the eyes of eternity. To suffer with Christ is to love with Him, to redeem with Him, to hope beyond reason with Him. It is to whisper in the darkness, “My God, I trust You,” even when everything hurts.In this light, suffering becomes a sacred gift. It humbles, purifies, and opens the soul wide to grace. The world may never understand this joy but saints like Francis remind us that the Cross is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of resurrection.And so, when we suffer—whether in body, heart, or spirit—may we not flee too quickly. May we pause, breathe, and gently unite our wounds to His. For in His wounds, we find healing. And in our suffering, united with His, we find joy—deep, lasting, and eternal. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." In these tender words, Jesus opens His heart to the weary and the wounded. He sees the hidden struggles, the silent tears, the weight no one else notices — and He invites us to lay them down. His call is not to the strong or the perfect, but to the tired, the broken, and the overwhelmed. In Him, there is no judgment, only rest — the kind that reaches deep into the soul, restoring what life has worn down. It is a love that carries, a peace that heals, and a grace that never lets go. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

O soul, if you desire to ascend the heights of holiness and be inflamed with the fire of divine love, begin with the sacred gift of repentance. For it is in the weeping of the heart that the veil is lifted, and the brightness of Christ's mercy is made known. Repentance is the golden key that unlocks the gates of grace; it softens the stony heart and renders it tender to the touch of the Crucified. As wax melts before the flame, so does the proud heart yield before the gaze of Jesus when it is bathed in contrition. In turning from sin, the soul turns toward Love Himself, and in that encounter, it is made radiant, transformed, and drawn ever deeper into the sweetness of the divine embrace. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, He answered with profound simplicity and eternal power: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind... and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39). In this divine teaching, Jesus gave us not only the foundation of the Christian life but also the key to drawing others into the beauty and truth of the Catholic Church.To love God with our whole heart means more than words or feelings; it is a radical surrender to His will. It is a life lived in holiness, prayer, and trust. This kind of love is radiant. When others see someone who is fully alive in God's love—joyful in suffering, peaceful in chaos, humble in victory—they see something supernatural. They see Christ.But Jesus did not stop there. He tied the love of God inseparably to love of neighbor. Why? Because true love of God overflows—it must be given away. And when we love others as ourselves, especially those who are wounded, lost, or searching, we become living signs of God's mercy.This is the heart of evangelization. People do not come to the Church simply because of arguments or traditions. They come because they encounter Love—real, sacrificial, healing love. And that love has a name: Jesus Christ. Through us, His Church becomes a home for the lonely, a refuge for the sinner, and a light for those in darkness.So let us love boldly. Let our worship be fervent and our service generous. Let our lives reflect the Sacred Heart of Jesus—a heart burning with love for the Father and for every soul He came to redeem. In this way, we do not merely invite people to join a religion; we lead them to encounter the living God, present in the Eucharist, alive in His Church, and waiting with open arms.Love God. Love your neighbor. And through that love, let us draw the world home to the Catholic faith. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

In the grand tapestry of Christian history, few figures shine as brightly as Saints Peter and Paul. Celebrated together on June 29, their shared feast day honors not only their individual missions but also their collective impact on the foundation and expansion of the Roman Catholic Church. As saints, they serve as powerful examples of faith, transformation, and unwavering dedication to Christ.Saint Peter, the humble fisherman, was chosen by Jesus to be the “rock” upon which the Church would be built (Matthew 16:18). Despite moments of weakness—most famously denying Christ three times—Peter's story is one of redemption and leadership. He was the first pope, a shepherd guiding the early Christian community through persecution and uncertainty. His martyrdom in Rome, crucified upside down, marked the ultimate testimony of his love for Christ and his flock. Peter's life reminds the Church that sanctity is not about perfection, but about trust, courage, and surrender to God's will.Saint Paul, once a fierce persecutor of Christians, experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. From that moment, his life was entirely dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel to the Gentiles. His letters form a significant part of the New Testament and continue to inspire and instruct the faithful. Paul's fearless missionary journeys, theological insights, and final martyrdom in Rome reveal a heart consumed by the love of Christ and the urgency of evangelization. His life demonstrates that grace can transform even the most hardened hearts into instruments of divine mercy.For the Roman Catholic Church, their legacy is not merely historical—it is living. They are the cornerstones of a Church that is both grounded in apostolic tradition and sent forth in missionary zeal. Their witness challenges every generation to hold fast to the truth and to share it boldly, even at great cost. As saints, Peter and Paul continue to lead the faithful—not from the pulpit or the sword, but from the eternal throne of grace, where they intercede for a Church still walking the path they helped lay.In remembering them, the Church remembers its mission, its roots, and its call to holiness. Saint Peter and Saint Paul, pray for us. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

The Roman centurion stood apart from the crowds—not by blood or creed, but by the quiet strength of his belief. Though a man of authority, he humbled himself before Jesus, saying, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” In that moment, faith crossed boundaries of nation and tradition. Jesus marveled—not at the centurion's power, but at his trust. “I have not found such great faith, even in Israel,” He said. It was not lineage or law that moved Christ, but the heart of a soldier who saw and believed in the unseen. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

St. Anthony of Padua once said, "Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak." As Catholics, we are called not only to profess our faith with our lips but to live it boldly and sincerely through our deeds. In a world longing for authenticity, our witness is most powerful when it flows from a heart transformed by Christ and expressed in loving service, mercy, and justice. St. Anthony's life reminds us that holiness is not just preached—it is practiced. Let us strive, then, to make our faith visible in how we love, forgive, and uplift those around us, allowing our lives to echo the Gospel more loudly than any sermon. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

"You are the light of the world." These words from Christ are a powerful reminder of the divine spark within each of us. They call us to shine with love, truth, and compassion in a world that often feels dark and uncertain. Just as a single candle can pierce the night, your kindness, courage, and faith can illuminate hearts and guide others toward hope. You don't have to be perfect—just willing to let your light shine. In doing so, you reflect the glory of God and become a beacon of grace in the lives of those around you. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

In the heart of the Roman Empire, where emperors ruled with iron fists and Caesar was declared lord, a small band of believers waited in an upper room in center of Jerusalem—afraid, uncertain, but obedient. Their Master, Jesus, had risen from the dead and ascended into heaven nine days prior with a promise: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Cf. Acts 1:8). That promise would change the world. Pentecost, the great Solemnity we triumphantly celebrate this Sunday, was not just a moment of divine display; it was the ignition of a movement meant to endure the fires of persecution, opposition, and suffering. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit not only to comfort the hearts of His followers, but to strengthen their voices, to make them unshakable in the face of overwhelming resistance. In an empire where loyalty to Christ could mean death, the early Church did not merely survive—they proclaimed, they healed, they endured, and they grew like holy weeds. The Roman Empire was no friend to this new faith. Christians were thrown to lions, crucified, burned, and driven underground. And yet, the Catholic Church flourished. Why? Because the Spirit that descended at Pentecost was not a gentle breeze—it was a mighty wind, a consuming fire. Jesus knew His followers would need more than human courage; they needed divine power. The Holy Spirit was given to embolden the fearful, to guide the uncertain, and to unify a scattered people into one body—His Church. Every sermon preached in defiance of Caesar, every act of love in the midst of hatred, every martyr who died singing hymns—these were not the result of human willpower. They were the fruit of Pentecost. The Spirit turned fishermen into apostles, tax collectors into evangelists, and persecutors like Paul into champions of the gospel. Jesus did not leave His church defenseless; He clothed them with power from on high.Today, we live far from the Roman catacombs, but the world still needs that same boldness, that same fire. The Holy Spirit remains the answer to fear and weakness, the source of power to proclaim Christ in any culture, any era, any cost. The same Holy Spirit that was given that day to the Apostles is the same Spirit that dwells within each of us right now; there is no difference. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit at Pentecost not just to feel God's presence, but to fulfill God's purpose. That divine fire still burns—and the Church will stand until Christ returns upon the clouds (Cf. Revelation 1:7). --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Christian unity is profoundly significant, as highlighted in Jesus' prayer in John 17, where He fervently prays for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity reflects the love and harmony within the Trinity, serving as a powerful witness to the world of God's transformative power. By being united, Christians demonstrate the reality of Jesus' mission and the credibility of the gospel message. It fosters cooperation, strengthens the church's mission, and enables believers to support one another in faith, love, and purpose, fulfilling Jesus' desire for His followers to be a cohesive, loving community that glorifies God. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Sometimes I find myself wondering—wouldn't life be easier if Jesus were physically here with me? When sorrow grips my heart and the weight of life feels too much to bear, I imagine what it would be like to turn to Him, to see Him right beside me, and whisper through tears, “Help me, Lord.” Why did He have to leave? Would my burdens feel lighter if I could just reach out and touch Him? This Sunday, we reflect on the Ascension—when Jesus returned to the Father. And in that quiet moment of wondering, I must remind my heart: He did not leave me alone to fight the wolves myself. No, He ascended so that His presence could live not just beside me, but within me.The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven is not an absence, but a transformation—a divine mystery through which Christ, no longer limited to one place, becomes present to all the faithful in a deeper and more powerful way. In his homily on the Ascension, Pope Leo the Great beautifully reminds us that “what was visible in our Redeemer has passed into the sacraments.” With these words, we are invited to see beyond the physical departure of Christ and to embrace the spiritual nearness that His glorified presence now brings through the Church and her sacred mysteries. At the moment of the Ascension, the disciples stood gazing into the heavens, their hearts surely torn between awe and loss. Yet Christ's return to the Father was not a retreat from humanity but a completion of His earthly mission. His bodily departure opened the way for the Holy Spirit to descend, empowering the Church and sanctifying the world through the sacraments—visible signs of His invisible grace. Pope Leo encourages the faithful not to mourn the Lord's departure but to rejoice in the greatness of His glorification, which lifts our human nature into heavenly dignity. Jesus did not forsake us; He became even more intimately united to us. In the Eucharist, we receive the real presence of His body and blood. In Baptism, we are buried and raised with Him. In Confession, we are forgiven by the power of His mercy. Each sacrament becomes a place where heaven touches earth, where Christ continues to walk with His people. The Ascension, then, is not the end but the elevation of hope. It challenges us to live not by sight but by faith, trusting that Christ, now seated at the right hand of the Father, intercedes for us and draws us toward our true home. As Pope Leo says, “Our faith is nobler and stronger because sight has been replaced by teaching.” Let us take courage, knowing that in every sacrament, in every act of faith, Christ is closer than ever, calling us to live with hearts lifted to heaven. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Paul's mission in the vibrant city of Corinth was a powerful testament to faith, courage, and perseverance. In the heart of a city known for its wealth, diversity, and moral challenges, Paul planted the seeds of a new spiritual movement, sharing the transformative message of Jesus Christ with both Jews and Gentiles. Despite opposition and hardship, he remained steadfast, building a community rooted in love, hope, and truth. His time in Corinth not only brought light to a city in need but also inspired generations to live with purpose and unity in Christ. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Living the Christian life boldly means standing firm in faith, even when the world pushes against it. It's choosing love over fear, truth over convenience, and grace over judgment. A bold Christian life doesn't hide in the shadows but shines brightly with the light of Christ, drawing others to hope, healing, and redemption. In every challenge, boldness rooted in Christ reveals a deep trust in His promises and a passion to reflect His glory. When we live boldly for Him, our lives become a powerful testimony that faith is not just a belief—it's a way of life that changes everything. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

In today's culture, openly identifying as a religious person often invites skepticism. Such individuals are frequently perceived as naïve, unsophisticated, or even unintelligent idiots. There is a prevailing belief that faith is a relic of childhood, while intellect demands a rejection of religion. Intelligence, after all, is often measured by the IQ—or Intelligence Quotient—with the average score being 100. For context, Albert Einstein scored around 160, Charles Darwin 165, Galileo 185, and Isaac Newton an extraordinary 190. Currently, the person widely regarded as having the highest recorded IQ is an American named Christopher Langan, often referred to as “the world's smartest man.” In a recent interview, Langan was asked a profound question: “What should someone do with their life?” His response surprised many: “Search for God. Ask God to establish a personal relationship with you. It's available. If you're not receptive, you're cutting yourself off from God. And once you do that, you do not share the identity of reality itself. You're done. Once your physical body expires, there is nothing that will carry you because you have denied it and rejected it.” Coming from someone of such immense intellect, his words challenge the common narrative that faith and intelligence are incompatible. Perhaps, instead of seeing religion as a weakness of the mind, we might begin to consider it as a strength of the soul—a pursuit not of ignorance, but of ultimate truth. In this Sunday's gospel passage Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”* (John 14:27), He is offering something far deeper than mere comfort. The peace of Jesus is not the fragile calm the world offers—dependent on circumstances or fleeting moments of ease—but a profound, enduring presence rooted in divine love. His peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God in the midst of it. It is a gift anchored in trust, in the knowledge that we are not alone, even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming. This peace is spiritual and eternal. It doesn't promise a life free of pain, but it does promise that pain will never have the final word. Jesus speaks these words as He prepares to face betrayal, suffering, and the cross—yet He chooses to reassure His disciples. He knows fear is natural, but He calls them to look beyond it, to a peace that comes from knowing Him. It's the kind of peace that quiets the soul during storms, that gives courage in the face of fear, and hope in the presence of despair. To live in this peace is to trust that God's love sustains us through every trial. Jesus invites us not just to believe in Him, but to rest in Him—to lay down anxiety and rise with calm hearts, not troubled or afraid, but confident in the promise that He is always with us. The smartest thing we can do is to put our trust in Jesus Christ. Or simply put, be religious you idiots. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in guiding world history by working through events, people, and nations to fulfill God's purposes. From inspiring prophets and empowering the early Church to influencing movements for justice, peace, and truth, the Spirit acts as an unseen force shaping human affairs toward divine ends. Even amid turmoil and conflict, Christians believe the Holy Spirit continues to steer history with wisdom and providence, ensuring that God's redemptive plan unfolds across time. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Jesus gave us a simple yet profound commandment: to love one another as He has loved us. In doing so, He invites us into the very heart of His presence. This love isn't shallow or fleeting—it's sacrificial, patient, and full of grace. When we love others with that same depth, we remain in His love, like branches connected to the true vine. It's in this abiding love that we find joy, peace, and the strength to reflect His light in the world. To love is not just a duty—it is the way we dwell with Him. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

**Bonus musical piece at the end of the homily from a Requiem Traditional Latin Mass**The altar in a Catholic church is more than a table—it's the sacred heart of worship, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice and presence among His people. Here, heaven meets earth as bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ during the Eucharist. It stands as a place of offering, transformation, and divine encounter, reminding the faithful that God's love is not distant but present, real, and continually poured out for all. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Even in our deepest suffering, Jesus is present, shaping our pain into something purposeful. What feels like brokenness to us can become a testimony of His grace, strength, and redemption. Through our trials, He reveals His power to heal, restore, and bring hope to others walking through the dark. When we surrender our wounds to Him, He doesn't waste a moment—He transforms them into a story of glory, showing the world that even in sorrow, He is good, and His love never fails. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

“I give you a new commandment: love one another.” With these simple yet profound words from this Sunday's Gospel passage, Jesus gave us the greatest commandment—a call to live lives of deep compassion, selflessness, and courage. Few have lived out this command as powerfully as St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic priest whose love broke through the darkness of World War II in one of history's most terrible places. In the cruel confines of the worst Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz, where hatred and despair seemed to rule, St. Maximilian Kolbe chose self-sacrificial Christian love. When a fellow prisoner, Franciszek Gajowniczek, was sentenced to die by starvation, Kolbe did the unthinkable. He stepped forward and offered his own life in exchange. He didn't do it for recognition or reward. He did it out of love—pure, Christ-like love for a stranger. This act was not just brave; it was holy. In that moment, Kolbe became a living reflection of Jesus, who laid down His life for us all. In a place meant to strip away human dignity, Kolbe's sacrifice declared that love still lives, even in the most hopeless of places. He showed that true love doesn't count the cost; it gives everything. As he led prayers and hymns in the starvation cell, bringing peace and light to those around him, Kolbe proved that love can triumph even in death. His final breath was not one of defeat, but of victory—the victory of love over fear, of faith over hatred. St. Maximilian Kolbe's legacy is a radiant beacon for all of us. His life challenges us to love more boldly, to give more freely, and to live not for ourselves, but for others. In a world that often values power and self-interest, Kolbe reminds us that the greatest strength is found in self-giving love. This heroic love is not rare or unreachable; it is the very heartbeat of the love Jesus Christ pours out for us each and every day. We don't need to journey to a far-off land or wait for a dramatic moment in history to experience it. This love, powerful and life-changing, is nearer than we think. It's as close as your local parish church, just a short drive away, waiting to welcome you with open arms. The Eucharist is a profound daily reminder of Jesus' self-sacrificial love. In every Mass, Christ offers Himself to us completely—His Body and Blood—just as He did on the cross. This gift is not just symbolic; it is real and personal, a continual act of love that nourishes our souls and calls us to do the same. Through the Eucharist, Jesus shows us how to live for others, to give without counting the cost, and to love with a heart that holds nothing back. It is both a gift and a challenge—to receive His love and then go out and share it with the world. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Sharing the joy of the Christian message is a powerful act of love and hope. It brings light to dark places, offering peace to the troubled and purpose to the lost. When we share the good news of Christ's love, we become vessels of grace, reminding others they are never alone. Each word of encouragement, each act of kindness inspired by faith, has the potential to transform hearts. In a world often marked by division and despair, the message of Christ stands as a beacon of unity and everlasting joy—a gift too great to keep to ourselves. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Remaining in Jesus' love is the anchor that holds us steady through every storm. His love is not earned—it is freely given, constant, and unchanging. When we choose to abide in it, we find peace that surpasses understanding, strength beyond our own, and a purpose that transcends the temporary. In a world full of shifting values and fleeting affection, His love is a firm foundation. It empowers us to love others, walk in truth, and live with hope, knowing we are never alone. Staying in His love transforms our lives from the inside out. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Praying the Rosary through Our Lady of Fatima holds profound spiritual importance, as it was her urgent request to the world during her apparitions in 1917. She called for daily recitation of the Rosary as a means to bring peace to the world, end wars, and convert hearts. Through this devotion, we unite ourselves with her motherly mission of salvation, offering reparation for sin and drawing closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Rosary becomes not only a personal prayer but a powerful response to her call for repentance, faith, and the triumph of her Immaculate Heart. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Habemus Papam! WE HAVE A POPE!And in a stunning turn of history—he's American!For the first time ever, the Chair of St. Peter is occupied by a pope from the United States. Few anticipated this outcome. Leading up to the election, the prevailing wisdom held that the cardinals would shy away from choosing a pontiff from the world's preeminent economic, political, cultural, and military power, fearing it might pose a conflict of interest or risk the perception of imbalance. Yet, against expectations, they elected Cardinal Robert Prevos, a humble priest from the suburbs of Chicago.So, how do we celebrate this unprecedented moment? Should we honor the Windy City with deep-dish pizza after every Mass? Replace Doughnut Sundays with Hot Dog Sundays? Whatever we do, let them be filled with joy—but also with prayer.For now, the immense responsibility of shepherding 1.4 billion Catholics rests upon his shoulders. As Pope Leo XIV—his newly chosen name—stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to greet the world, he began with these profound words:“Peace be with you all! These are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for God's flock.”This sacred moment reminds us of the unchanging mission entrusted to every successor of St. Peter: to courageously lead the nations ever closer to Jesus Christ.In a world often marked by uncertainty, confusion, and wandering souls, the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd offers profound comfort and direction. This metaphor, drawn from His own words in John 10:11—"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep"—paints a picture of intimate care, sacrificial love, and steadfast guidance.A shepherd knows his sheep by name. He doesn't lead from behind with force but walks ahead, calling each one to follow, trusting that they recognize His voice. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leads with gentleness and strength. He knows our weaknesses, our fears, and our needs, and still, He chooses to walk beside us, never abandoning us when life grows dark or perilous. His leadership is not driven by power but by love.The shepherd also protects. In a spiritual sense, Jesus stands between us and the dangers that threaten our souls. He laid down His life on the cross, not as a distant figure making a calculated decision, but as one who loves deeply and personally. This act of self-sacrifice shows that we are never forgotten, never alone.Even when we stray—and we all do—the Good Shepherd does not give up. He searches for the lost lamb, carries it home on His shoulders, and rejoices over its return. His grace is not reserved for the perfect but extended freely to the broken, the wandering, and the weary.To follow Jesus as the Good Shepherd is to trust that we are seen, known, and valued. It is to walk in the assurance that, no matter the terrain or the trials, we are being led by One who loves us more deeply than we can comprehend. In Him, we find green pastures, still waters, and the promise that goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. In Jesus Christ we find the peace that we have all been searching for. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian's homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give