Sunday Thoughts from Fr. Edward Looney

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects about three images of the Trinity that he sat and prayed with this week. Do you have an image of the Trinity in mind? Hopefully after this homily, you will.

Fr. Edward reflects about his ten years as a priest and the lessons he has learned in the school of the Holy Spirit.

Every day is an opportunity to say yes to the Lord.

An experience at a Jason Gray concert revealed a spiritual truth to Fr. Edward which he connects to the Ascension for today's feast day. Let's just say, if you think you are alone, you are not, you are never alone! Trust me!

Fr. Edward Looney preaches at the Tuesday Mass for the annual gathering of the Mariological Society of America.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney preaches about discipleship- what it means to be a disciple, and our choice to be and commit to living as a disciple.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the ordination rites and the cloth presented to the mother at the priest's first Mass. Fr. Edward encourages mothers and fathers to pray for vocations among their family, and to pray that the voice of Christ the Good Shepherd will be heard through Pope Leo XIV.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney preaches on how the Sunday Mass readings shed light on our motivations for attending Sunday Mass.

Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the prayers of Divine Mercy and how they are meant for the whole world.

In this homily, Fr Edward Looney reflects on the Easter candle, Pope Francis and his devotion to Mary, and how we are called to proclaim and live the joy of the gospel.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney takes his cue from a familiar chant at Mass- We proclaim your death O Lord, and profess your resurrection. On Easter Sunday we profess the resurrection, our belief that Jesus rose from the dead and that the tomb was empty.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney offers a brief reflection on the first gospel of the weekend- that of detachment, and in the second homily, he reflects on the healing of Malchus and how Jesus's work of healing wasn't finished even as his passion was unfolding.

In this homily, Fr. Edward asks if there is another side to the story of the woman caught in adultery and then reflects on the sacrament of Penance.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney invites you to reflect on your prayer life by considering these questions: Do you have a regular or favorite place to pray? How do you pray? What holds you back from praying? If you're looking to deepen your prayer life, let this homily inspire you to make prayer a daily habit!

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on what if Jesus faced his temptation today, would it be the same, or would the devil use new temptations?

A good tree, or should we say person, bears good fruit. What is the fruit of your life? What are the fruits that people know you by? Do you have secret fruit? Fr. Edward encourages us to reflect on our fruitfulness in our family, community, and Church.

Fr. Edward introduces readers to the collect prayer and his new Lenten devotional, Praying with the Church through Lent. In this episode you will hear how he didn't want to write this book, what is the collect prayer, a few reflections about a few different collect prayers, and why he thinks it's important to pray and meditate on the collect. Buy the Book: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-with-the-church-through-lent/ or https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Church-Through-Edward-Looney/dp/B0CZCDHVTP/

The world would want us to seek revenge and delight in the downfall of the other. Jesus wants us to pray for those hurt us and do good to them. He wants us to forgive. Tough calls from the Lord. But most rewarding. He wants us to live differently.

Fr. Edward shares how a plant he has had since 2017 speaks to him about the spiritual life.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on how our readings today point us to different parts of the Mass, helping us to better appreciate the liturgy.

Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the idea of a "bucket list" and how it connects to Simeon's profound prayer in the Gospel: “Lord, now you let your servant go in peace.” Simeon could die happy because he had fulfilled God's purpose for his life. How can we live in such a way that we, too, are ready to say those words with confidence? Fr. Looney explores how priests, deacons, religious, and laypeople pray this every night and challenges us to consider how we are living out God's plan. Tune in for an inspiring message on preparing our hearts to meet the Lord with peace and joy.

In this homily, Fr. Edward reflects on how we cannot be silent at different moments of our life. Relying on the Holy Spirit, we will be given the words to say.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney draws our attention to Luke's descriptive detail that Jesus prayed after his baptism. Fr. Edward reflects on what Jesus may have prayed for or about and then relates that to how we can pray after different occurrences and experiences in our lives.

2025 is a Jubilee Year in the Church. The Magi were pilgrims of hope, just as we are today. We are called to be pilgrims- Discovering, persevering, encountering, and sharing hope.

In this homily for the feast of Mary, Mother of God, Fr. Edward reflects and provides encouragement to not give up on your spiritual goals like reading the Bible or praying the rosary during this new year of grace 2025.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney, reflects on why shepherds received the good news of Christ's birth and how Jesus becomes our Good Shepherd. This Christmas, he invites you to allow Jesus to be the Good Shepherd of your life.

Fr. Edward preaches on the opening prayer for the feast of the Holy Family and encourages us to root out vice and practice the virtues of family life.

In this homily, Fr. Edward reflects about how the stories of scripture, contain more than what the evangelist wrote down. Allow him to open your mind and prayer to think about the Visitation and Christmas beyond the scripture page.

Sometimes it is difficult to rejoice even when the scriptures tell us to rejoice. In this homily, Fr. Edward relates how one can identify what is robbing them of joy and take steps to reclaiming and rediscovering joy in their lives.

In this homily Fr. Edward preaches about the theme of remembrance during the Advent season.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney explains that Advent, while it gives the appearance to be about preparing for Christmas, that it is also meant to be a preparation for Christ's return in glory in His second coming. Are you ready for that?

Fr Looney shares about his newest book, Praying with the Church through Advent. https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Church-Through-Advent-Edward/dp/B0CZCVBJ81/

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney describes the daily ministry of a priest from daily prayers, to sacraments, engagement with the community, and the administrative tasks. Daily, the priest stands at his ministry, and now you have a glimpse of what that entails.

In this homily, Fr. Edward invites us to consider more than just the widow's generosity. What else does this gospel communicate? Listen to learn.

In this homily, Fr. Edward names the priests who have been ordained from his home parish, explains the origin of the priesthood, speaks about his pious custom of visiting priests graves, and encourages prayers for vocations.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on intercessory prayer, especially with the saints, and how we can approach the throne of God's mercy with them. He especially highlights, St. Elena Guerra, St. Marie Leonine Paradis, St. Giuseppe Allamano, and the Martyrs of Damascus, canonized on October 20, 2024.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on one of the last tweets of Dr. Greg Hillis. Dr. Hillis, who battled cancer for 11 months, said in the time remaining who was pray and prepare. Fr. Edward reflects on how one prepares and prays for their death.

In this homily, Fr. Edward preaches about the presence of angels in our life.

In this homily, Fr. Edward shares about his experience of grace while praying at three graves of holy men and women. He then explains how the Lord wishes to bestow his grace upon us for our Christian living.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney preaches about our five senses and how the scriptures engage them and how God breaks into our lives through them.

9/1/24-Observe the Commandments Carefully, Especially the Second by Fr. Edward Looney

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney helps us understand that we should familiarize ourselves with scripture, but not to let it become too familiar so that we become numb to the passage. Return often to the passage and reflect on it is his recommendation.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, and hones in on three things that he encourages his readers and hearers to do. Will you try to do these things this week?

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects about the life of Mary, takes a point from Anne Catherine Emmerich's biography of Jesus and Mary, and applies it to the end of her life and entry into Heaven.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney unpacks one of the treasures of our Catholic faith- those who have preceded us who give witness and inspire our practice of the faith today.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney shares a story about a hotel worker and what she taught him about spiritual hunger and then translates that story into a lesson about our daily need for God through prayer, bible reading, and reflection.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the priests who have influenced our lives and that we should give thanks to God for them. He also acknowledges the need for healing and forgiveness and encourages prayers for priestly vocations.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney talks about the call, specially the call to follow Jesus, but also more broadly of the daily calls God places on our hearts.

In this homily, Fr. Looney reflects about our identity and role as pleaders and beggars before the Lord.

6/30/2024-I Wrote Two Gospel Reflections, 9 Months Apart on Mk 5:21-43-Similarities and Differences by Fr. Edward Looney