Homilies by Father Dan Merz at St. George Catholic Church in Linn, MO
Father Dan Merz, St. George Catholic Church
The Blessed Virgin "kept ALL THESE THINGS in her heart." She didn't run away from hard truths, or confusing events or troublesome realities. She took them to her heart, and there sat with them in the presence of the Lord. We need to invite the Lord to hea
We don't always know how to effect real Communion with another, but Jesus tells us how to do this with Him: eating the glorious flesh and blood of the Son of Man. We need to "look" with the eyes of the spirit. And then we can begin to see and make true co
When Moses hears what kind of God the LORD is, he immediately exclaims: Accompany us! Pardon us! Let us belong to you! That's what the Father does for us in Christ with the Holy Spirit. And it's what we should do for others.
We don't always know how to effect real Communion with another, but Jesus tells us how to do this with Him: eating the glorious flesh and blood of the Son of Man. We need to "look" with the eyes of the spirit. And then we can begin to see and make true co
When Moses hears what kind of God the LORD is, he immediately exclaims: Accompany us! Pardon us! Let us belong to you! That's what the Father does for us in Christ with the Holy Spirit. And it's what we should do for others.
One of the great images of Pentecost in the Acts of the Apostles is the Praying Church. That Church gathering included the 12 (Church leadership), the Blessed Mother, various women, who had provided for Jesus to assist His ministry, and family members of
One of the great images of Pentecost in the Acts of the Apostles is the Praying Church. That Church gathering included the 12 (Church leadership), the Blessed Mother, various women, who had provided for Jesus to assist His ministry, and family members of
Just before the Ascension, the disciples see the risen Christ, and they worship Him...and they doubt...at the same time! Despite their doubts, they still worshipped. And we should, too! Our faith waxes and wanes, and that's ok. And our worship helps!
Just before the Ascension, the disciples see the risen Christ, and they worship Him...and they doubt...at the same time! Despite their doubts, they still worshipped. And we should, too! Our faith waxes and wanes, and that's ok. And our worship helps!
Spiritual houses lead to the royal priesthood, which leads to spiritual sacrifices, and spiritual sacrifices are the ways you and I bring order and beauty to our world, our house, our lives.
Spiritual houses lead to the royal priesthood, which leads to spiritual sacrifices, and spiritual sacrifices are the ways you and I bring order and beauty to our world, our house, our lives.
Without the gift of the Holy Spirit, we will always fall short in loving another human being, letting alone feeling perfectly loved. It is Jesus alone, the Good Shepherd, who can give us the Holy Spirit. And St. Peter says He does this whenever we repent
Without the gift of the Holy Spirit, we will always fall short in loving another human being, letting alone feeling perfectly loved. It is Jesus alone, the Good Shepherd, who can give us the Holy Spirit. And St. Peter says He does this whenever we repent
Christ has ransom us from our futile conduct. What are the examples of futile conduct in your own life? Certainly when we walk away from the faith like the 2 disciples in the gospel today. But anytime we turn away from what is most true, good, and loving
Christ has ransom us from our futile conduct. What are the examples of futile conduct in your own life? Certainly when we walk away from the faith like the 2 disciples in the gospel today. But anytime we turn away from what is most true, good, and loving
Resurrection is something we long for, our greatest desire. And the more we desire, the more our heart expands and stretches, the more capacity we have to love. During our pandemic, let us long for union, with Christ and with one another, even if it's the
The meeting with the risen Jesus is not simply a close family reunion. It's an encounter with the divine Lord who has conquered over death and lives forever. Jesus is risen! He is truly risen!
Resurrection is something we long for, our greatest desire. And the more we desire, the more our heart expands and stretches, the more capacity we have to love. During our pandemic, let us long for union, with Christ and with one another, even if it's the
The meeting with the risen Jesus is not simply a close family reunion. It's an encounter with the divine Lord who has conquered over death and lives forever. Jesus is risen! He is truly risen!
The true high priest, the Great High Priest, sacrifices not animals but Himself. And the sacramental priesthood offers the one and only sacrifice of Christ on the cross to re-present the eternal value of His sacrifice to us.
The command of Jesus to do this in remembrance of Him is not just about eating and drinking. It's about dying. And no matter how poorly we have done it, we have faithfully done it for nearly 2,000 years.
The true high priest, the Great High Priest, sacrifices not animals but Himself. And the sacramental priesthood offers the one and only sacrifice of Christ on the cross to re-present the eternal value of His sacrifice to us.
The command of Jesus to do this in remembrance of Him is not just about eating and drinking. It's about dying. And no matter how poorly we have done it, we have faithfully done it for nearly 2,000 years.
The lesson of Peter and the 12 apostles is that we should never think that any sin is beyond us. Jesus spent 3 hours in prayer in the garden, and if Peter had joined Him, he would not have denied Him. We all need grace!
Jesus entry into Jerusalem was a triumphal procession that announced with nothing held back that he is both the divine messiah and the royal heir to the throne of Israel. And yet Jesus shows wonderful compassion, knowing our fears, and giving us comfort a
The lesson of Peter and the 12 apostles is that we should never think that any sin is beyond us. Jesus spent 3 hours in prayer in the garden, and if Peter had joined Him, he would not have denied Him. We all need grace!
Jesus entry into Jerusalem was a triumphal procession that announced with nothing held back that he is both the divine messiah and the royal heir to the throne of Israel. And yet Jesus shows wonderful compassion, knowing our fears, and giving us comfort a
In the story of the raising of Lazarus, the Gospel gives Jesus many titles. Each one reveals something about Jesus, and raises questions for us about what kind of relationship we have with Him.
In the story of the raising of Lazarus, the Gospel gives Jesus many titles. Each one reveals something about Jesus, and raises questions for us about what kind of relationship we have with Him.
Jesus is the Rock of our salvation (cf. Exodus 17 and Ps. 95), who was "struck" on the cross so that the Holy Spirit would flow out upon us through the saving waters of Baptism. Remember the spiritual dimensions of water!
Jesus is the Rock of our salvation (cf. Exodus 17 and Ps. 95), who was "struck" on the cross so that the Holy Spirit would flow out upon us through the saving waters of Baptism. Remember the spiritual dimensions of water!
Matthew's Gospel compares and contrasts the mount of transfiguration with the mount of Calvary. And the call to obedience links them both. The voice of the Father commands us to listen to the Son. Listening, obeying the Son will lead to the cross, but als
Matthew's Gospel compares and contrasts the mount of transfiguration with the mount of Calvary. And the call to obedience links them both. The voice of the Father commands us to listen to the Son. Listening, obeying the Son will lead to the cross, but als
Saint Paul teaches that because of the 1st sin of Adam and Eve, that we are now all born dead spiritually. Christ, the 2nd Adam, restores us to spiritual life. But sometimes we still feel spiritually dead. What do we do about that? Step up the relationshi
Saint Paul teaches that because of the 1st sin of Adam and Eve, that we are now all born dead spiritually. Christ, the 2nd Adam, restores us to spiritual life. But sometimes we still feel spiritually dead. What do we do about that? Step up the relationshi
We all experience great highs and great lows. St. Paul says today that we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, that the Spirit of God dwells in us! Then, he immediately says that those who think themselves wise in this world are actually foolish. Be wise by
We all experience great highs and great lows. St. Paul says today that we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, that the Spirit of God dwells in us! Then, he immediately says that those who think themselves wise in this world are actually foolish. Be wise by
Jesus gives us two of the greatest titles ever in this Gospel: we are Salt of the earth and Light of the world. Christians are created to add flavor, brightness, splendor, purity, laughter, wit and beauty to our world. Don't forget to flash your light bri
Jesus gives us two of the greatest titles ever in this Gospel: we are Salt of the earth and Light of the world. Christians are created to add flavor, brightness, splendor, purity, laughter, wit and beauty to our world. Don't forget to flash your light bri
Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. When the Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt after the Babylonian exile, the glory cloud, the presence of the Lord never returned. So the Temple was without its Lord for 100s of years...until Jesus was pres
Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. When the Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt after the Babylonian exile, the glory cloud, the presence of the Lord never returned. So the Temple was without its Lord for 100s of years...until Jesus was pres
Our lives are filled with darkness, and the Lord once to dispel that darkness and to smash its causes. Jesus is the light that both dispels and smashes. He does this by calling us to repent, to put discipleship of him 1st in our lives, and to let him teac
Our lives are filled with darkness, and the Lord once to dispel that darkness and to smash its causes. Jesus is the light that both dispels and smashes. He does this by calling us to repent, to put discipleship of him 1st in our lives, and to let him teac
Christ's peace is not a recipe for a stress free life. It's a supernatural gift for dealing with stress with charity and without fear. It's what kept the holy family going on their flight to Egypt. And it can carry us to the joy of heaven.
When Jesus humbled himself to accept the sinner's baptism from John the Baptist, it is perhaps one of his greatest acts of solidarity with us in the darkness and sinfulness of our human condition. It is Jesus saying to us, there is nowhere you can go wher
Christ's peace is not a recipe for a stress free life. It's a supernatural gift for dealing with stress with charity and without fear. It's what kept the holy family going on their flight to Egypt. And it can carry us to the joy of heaven.
When Jesus humbled himself to accept the sinner's baptism from John the Baptist, it is perhaps one of his greatest acts of solidarity with us in the darkness and sinfulness of our human condition. It is Jesus saying to us, there is nowhere you can go wher
The star didn't just happen 2,000 years ago. Here are ways to receive the star God sends you today.
The star didn't just happen 2,000 years ago. Here are ways to receive the star God sends you today.
Mary as Mother of God points also to the fatherhood of God. And St. Paul teaches that the same Spirit in Jesus was sent into our hearts, crying out ABBA, Father! We do well to pray as Jesus himself prayed, by calling God ABBA, and my calling Mary, our Mot
Mary as Mother of God points also to the fatherhood of God. And St. Paul teaches that the same Spirit in Jesus was sent into our hearts, crying out ABBA, Father! We do well to pray as Jesus himself prayed, by calling God ABBA, and my calling Mary, our Mot