Juan Point at a Time

As always, Jesus wants us to avoid spiritual traps and see ourselves through the eyes of God our Father... especially when he's naming one woe after another!Luke 6:20-26

It is not uncommon to hear disparaging remarks about the Catholic faith and tradition today. Sometimes that creates a space for the evil spirit to get under our skin a bit. Year C - Ordinary Time - Week 3 Lk 4:14-21

Sometimes we keep ideas or graces that might have come from God to ourselves out of fear, but as always, God's invitation is not to fear.

God chose to enter straight into the world, straight into the messiness of our lives. Christmas Vigil Mass

One of the many ways we sometimes make a burden of life is presuming God is punishing us for some past transgression, when perhaps that is not a helpful question to even ask. Mt 11: 28-30

JBap is out preaching to himself and to others the same message, "Make way for the Lord." Year C - Advent - Week 2

Boy, what a confusing title for this episode, but it's accurate. The new liturgical year begins with readings that call to mind the Last Judgment. It is an invitation to make resolutions from a different perspective than usual... Year C - Advent - Week 1

Jesus sees the Israelites are pursuing peace where it will not be found and weeps for them. If only they had paused and noticed his visitation, they might have avoided a lot of tragedy. Lk 19:41-44

As always, God is on our side. In today's Gospel, Jesus addresses the tough topic of divorce and has some encouraging words about what we should expect marriage to do for us. Year B - Ordinary Time - Week 27

If we shut God down when the needs seem overwhelming, the story ends early. Year B - Ordinary Time - Week 17

What does Christ prioritize when time feels too short? Year B - Ordinary Time - Week 13

False prophets exist and will catch us at times, but recovery is always possible. Year 2 - Ordinary Time - Week 12 - Tuesday

Once again, Jesus is giving some practical advice and helps to hoping when we hit or get hit "below the belt." Ordinary Time - Week 12 - Tuesday

Sometimes the evil spirit presents us with no-win scenarios, that turns out are not no-win scenarios when Jesus enters the story.

When the future seems very unclear, it doesn't mean that today we need feel lost. (Easter - Week 4 - Friday)

This homily was given at a mass where a major relic of Saint Jean de Brébeuf was present which is why the homily has so much to do with him.

One can sometimes doubt if Jesus desires our spiritual healing, but it is more likely that he is inviting us to take another step.

Jesus confronts an unclean spirit in today's Gospel, one which he easily casts out and a sort of spirit which each of us might need to be liberated from as well.

The prophetess Anna makes a cameo in today's Gospel and her history can prove a valuable, though simple, lesson.

You know wisdom when you see it, but how do we grow in it? Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 32

Without even realizing it, we may sometimes be charging Christ a price of admission into our hearts. And there's a simple question way to figure out what that price might be. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 31 - Thursday

Jesus invites us to develop routines that keep us open to his Spirit and remain faithful to them. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 29 - Tuesday

Jesus opens the eyes of the Pharisees in today's readings with a litmus test that we can apply to our own lives. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 30

Today is a memorial of 8 Jesuits who were martyred in North America and their witness can still be a model for us today, even in a context which lacks the violence of their time. Memorial of the North American Martyrs

Today's reading offers some suggestions from Jesus on prayer. Ordinary Time - Week 27 - Thursday

Jerusalem is a city, but also a symbol. Luke is well aware of what he is doing when writes that Christ determined to go there. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 26 - Tuesday

Unworthiness can be a rather distasteful concept in popular culture, but they are valued within our Christian tradition. So much so that we repeat it every mass... Why? Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 24 - Monday

Today's Gospel is about an encounter between Philip, Jesus, and Nathaniel. As always, God takes the lead. Feast of Saint Bartholomew

Saint Ignatius offers guidelines for the discernment of spirits in his spiritual writings. If I could add one thing with confidence thus far, it would be the simple reminder in this homily. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 17 - Saturday

This homily was given to high school freshman at the end of their orientation. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 17 - Friday

We can easily get lulled into one extreme or another when it comes to accepting others. Jesus wants to free us to love others just as he has loved us. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 13

Jesus speaks with metaphor about how the body is illumined or darkened by what we believe to be out there in the world - and tracking how different worldviews perceive meaning can help us understand our own perspective. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 11 - Friday

Sometimes we tell lies to avoid a storm, but it erodes our integrity and becomes self-defeating. Jesus gives us the best reason not to do so. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 12

Like an expectedly intense liturgist, Jesus unexpectedly draws our attention to sacred spaces. How much do I do to maintain my own? Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 08

Jesus points Peter three times beyond himself, and, Saint Philip Neri, who is celebrated on this memorial, is one example of what that can look like. Memorial of Saint Philip Neri Easter - Week 07 - Friday

God has judged the world and in response He gave his only Son. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 09

Jesus didn't want us creating more division or setting ourselves against each other, that's why he had to leave. The unity Jesus wants is Catholic, universal. Solemnity of the Ascension

Jesus teaches us a small lesson on how to respond to those whose betrayal is pending. It is a small lesson to learn, but very difficult lesson to practice. Easter - Week 05 - Thursday

Jesus refers to an often-heard and often-misunderstood or not-understood phrase in today's reading. This homily is a bit of unpacking of that phrase. Year A - Easter - Week 05

Jesus claims that the sheep know the voice of the good shepherd... So what is that good shepherd like? Easter - Week 04 - Sunday

People have difficulty recognizing Jesus after his resurrection. Is it because he wears disguises or they are missing something that has always been evident? Year A - Easter - Week 03

What exactly did Thomas doubt and was the doubt the real issue? Easter - Week 02 - Divine Mercy Sunday

Who tells the story of the the salvation of the world? Easter Sunday

Saying farewell well is always worth the trouble, even with the smallest things. And Jesus isn't bothered by the process in the least. Holy Week - Monday

Martha gets such a bad rap she just doesn't deserve, which only makes her redemption all the sweeter. Year A - Lent - Week 05

We can sometimes get stuck living in a little shelter of shame, but the good and great news is that God's got so much more in mind for us. Year A - Lent - Week 03

A fear of anonymity coupled with never feeling known is a surely an indication of some evil spirit baloney. Lent - Week 03 - Wednesday

Jesus invites us to forgive rather than judge or condemn, but that seems to be easier said than done. In today's homily, I offer a couple examples that help illustrate where one might begin when feeling stuck in judgment or condemnation. Lent - Week 03 - Monday

The moment of the transfiguration is a revelation of who Jesus and where Christ continues to dwell today. Year A - Lent - Week 02

Jesus encounters his disciples in an argument about a young lady and takes a different tact for healing her. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 07 - Monday

The moment and duration of Saint Paul's conversion were not quite as people often imagine them. Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle