Podcasts about Redemptorists

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time IIJuly 21, 2026  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time.Today our reading is taken from the holy gospel according to Matthew. While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”The gospel of the Lord. Homily In our readings today we hear a cry and a reply. Humanity cries out to God to see us as his family; and God replies in Jesus Christ that, yes, we all are his family, if we take to heart doing God's will. So, what does it mean to be family? Looking at my own experience, I believe that family is very important, and yet it can create difficulties. We cannot always get our own way. The needs of others often takes precedence over my needs. We are expected to look out for each other, even when we might disagree. But when we do look out for each other, when we appreciate the gift that is each member of the family and enjoy each other's company, we find security and the strength to become the person God meant us to be. I remember my grandmother recounting bits of the family history, with some notable members and a few not so notable. In the first reading, the prophet Micah calls on God to remember the notable moments in the past when God saved his people and forgave them their sins, and asks that he show the same clemency, “as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.” We know that God did show clemency in the time of the prophet and has shown even greater love and mercy through Jesus Christ, who took on our flesh and became part of our human family. In the gospel, when Jesus' mother and brothers appear at the house wanting to speak with him, Jesus replies: “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Some people use this passage to say that Jesus rejected his family, even his mother, in favor of his disciples. But both Luke and John in their gospels show Mary as one who always did the will of our heavenly Father, and therefore was the greatest of the disciples. Jesus is saying that blood lines do not give greater access to him; his family includes not only his mother and his brothers, but all who do the will of God. And doing the will of God is imitating Jesus in his care for the poor and the marginalized. It is giving of ourselves to those who need us, being understanding and forgiving of those who may have offended us, and helping each other reach our potential as children of God, as in the best moments of family life. Of course there will be moments when we fail to live up to these demands and will, like the prophet, have to ask God to show us his love and mercy and then give that same love and mercy to others. We ask Mary, whom Jesus gave to us as our mother also, to help us on this journey. And we take heart that as members of the family of Jesus, God looks upon each one of us with the same love God looks upon Mary. May God bless you. Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsRBasilica of our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY

 Did you know that Pope St. John XXIII, the Pope who inaugurated the Second Vatican Council, composed a beautiful prayer for peace? Learn this prayer in a new episode of Teach Us Pray with Fr. Larry Kauffmann, a veteran Redemptorist and anti-apartheid hero from South Africa.

A catch-up with the former Rector at St. Joseph's Redemptorists in Dundalk now based in Luxembourg who was home at the weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This video commemorates the Feast Day of St. Clement Maria Hofbauer, highlighting his legacy as a visionary missionary leader who embraced creativity and servant leadership to adapt to challenging circumstances. The reflection emphasizes how St. Clement's ability to empower lay people, care for the whole person, and preach the gospel in new ways continues to inspire the Redemptorist family's mission today.

Day 02: This video, the second in a Triduum honouring St. Clement Maria Hofbauer, reflects on his life as an exemplary servant leader characterized by integrity, fidelity, and selflessness. The speaker, Fr. Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R., draws parallels between St. Clement's unwavering commitment to his faith and mission and the call for modern-day Redemptorists to emulate these virtues in their service to others.

Fr. Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R., introduces a Triduum in preparation for the feast of St. Clement Maria Hofbauer, inviting the Redemptorist family and partners in mission to reflect on the saint's example of servant leadership. During this period, the congregation will explore themes of humility, integrity, and suffering, coinciding with the inauguration of a year dedicated to leadership in service of their mission.

Discover Fr. Antony Frank's inspiring journey! From a small-town business background to a dedicated Redemptorist missionary, his path was shaped by a simple, unwavering "yes" to God's call and heartfelt, persistent faith.

Discover Fr. James Kumar's inspiring journey! From an altar boy in Tamil Nadu to a dedicated Redemptorist priest, he shares his vibrant path of faith, overcoming personal struggles to answer God's beautiful call.

Discover Fr. M.A. Joseph's inspiring journey! From a simple argument with his mother sparking a priestly calling, he gracefully embraced blindness, finding a profound, vibrant purpose through a deep, personal relationship with God.

Experience the inspiring life of Fr. Assisi Saldanha, C.Ss.R., a devoted Redemptorist for 50 years! He traces his path from a chemistry student to respected biblical scholar, revealing how God uniquely guided his holy vocation.

Meet Fr. Gerald Anand, C.Ss.R., a former communication engineer who embraced a divine mission. His transformative journey to the Redemptorist priesthood reveals how he left his career to dedicate his life to preaching the Gospel.

Meet the vibrant Sr. Anusha, O.SsR., a Redemptoristine nun who defied expectations! From an ordinary Kerala girl, she embraced a cloistered, contemplative vocation, finding profound joy in silence, radical surrender, and total trust.

Join us on this inspiring episode of Zealous Hearts as we sit down with the ever-charming Fr. Cyril Stanislaus, C.Ss.R. Known to many as the 'singing priest' who beautifully integrates his guitar and hymns into every homily, Fr. Cyril opens up about his remarkable journey of faith.

In this episode, Fr. Gerard Louis, C.Ss.R., shares his deeply personal journey from his childhood in Singapore—rooted in strong family faith and influence from the De La Salle brothers—to his eventual calling as a priest. We explore the pivotal moments that shaped his path. 

This debut episode of Zealous Hearts features Fr. Alvin Rex, C.Ss.R., who shares his inspiring vocational journey, the challenges of community life, and his deep devotion to the Redemptorist mission.

Experience Fr. Peter Michael's inspiring journey! Once a shy, introverted boy, he blossomed into a courageous Redemptorist priest, proving how faith and surrender can turn even our deepest weaknesses into a joyous, powerful ministry.

Discover the history and significance of the Novena Church in Singapore, a renowned Redemptorist shrine dedicated to the Mother of Perpetual Help, known for its massive weekly devotionals.

This video explores Saint Alphonsus Liguori's profound devotion to the Virgin Mary, highlighting his Christology, writings like The Glories of Mary, and his enduring inspiration for Redemptorist spirituality.

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time AJune 21, 2026  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time.Our reading today is taken from the holy gospel according to Matthew. Jesus said to the Twelve: "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."The gospel of the Lord. Homily In the gospel, Jesus says to his disciples and to all of us: “Fear no one.” He says this as he sends them out on mission, knowing that they will run into serious opposition, just as he did. Jesus was sustained by his unshakable faith in God his Father, but we often have more difficulty. We learn fear from an early age. In high school especially we learn to fear the opinion of others. What do they think of the way I dress, or the way I talk. What might they say? Am I going to belong? It is amazing the contortions we are willing to go through in order to fit in. And if we are not careful, we can lose our sense of self. Fear paralyzes us and can even keep us from doing what we know is right. That is why the media uses fear so much to get us to do what they want, even if it is against our own best interests. So, Jesus explains: Do not fear those who can kill the body but can do no more. Fear the one who can put both body and soul in Gehenna. This requires faith in the God who made us and gives us new life in Jesus. In the first reading we hear the prayer of Jeremiah, who stood up for God against the powers of his day because he believed that God was actively on his side. Down through the centuries the martyrs have cheerfully gone to their deaths, not because they believed in a worthy project, but because they believed in the promise of eternal life that Jesus had given to those who are faithful. God does not fail in his loving concern for us, Jesus assures his disciples. “Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” So why does Jesus tell his disciple to fear the one who can put both body and soul in Gehenna? In the Bible, the Fear of God is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the Psalms tell us that the Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. That is because the Fear of God is something other than terror. We can stand terrified before the unknown or before some grave danger that threatens ourselves or a loved one. But God is no danger to us, God is the source of our life and the presence that brings joy and wholeness to our being.   Fear of God is not terror before the Almighty, it is reverence before the One who brought us into being and loves us more than we can possibly imagine. We want to avoid offending God, not because it will draw upon us the divine wrath in some sort of terrible punishment, but because we do not want to become like ungrateful children who do not recognize all the good that their Father or Mother does for them. The fear of God makes us want to become our best selves, and so honor the One who created and redeemed us. Because we want God's grace and loving presence in our lives, we avoid all that take us away from God. We take to heart Jesus' command to fear no one and nothing that would lead us away from God, and we seek to approach and imitate more closely Jesus Christ, because in him we have become children of God, to the honor of God the Father. May God bless you.   Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsR Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help Brooklyn, NY

This reflection was originally published in 2024. Although the Redemptorist's title, ministry assignment, and the dates mentioned reflect the time of its original publication, the message of the readings and the reflection continue to speak meaningfully to us today.

This reflection was originally published in 2024. Although the Redemptorist's title, ministry assignment, and the dates mentioned reflect the time of its original publication, the message of the readings and the reflection continue to speak meaningfully to us today.

For generations, the annual Redemptorist Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help has been a special moment in the Limerick calendar. This year, more than 5,000 people are expected through the doors of Mount St. Alphonsus each day. As the nine-day Novena gets underway from June 19th to June 27th.Fr. Brian Nolan, Rector of the Redemptorist in Limerick and Director of this year's Novena, joined Gillian to tell us more.Image via Redemptorist website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This reflection was originally published in 2023. Although the Redemptorist's title, ministry assignment, and the dates mentioned reflect the time of its original publication, the message of the readings and the reflection continue to speak meaningfully to us today.

Limerick is preparing to celebrate its Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help from June 19th to 27th at Mount St Alphonsus on Henry Street in Limerick with the Redemptorist Fathers. On this weeks podcast we are joined by Fr Gerry Moloney who takes us through the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and through what is up coming at the novena this  year where the theme is "Called and Sent". The theme is based on the Irish Synodal Pathway and over each day of the Novena, there will be sharing and reflection on the principal focus areas from the synodal pathway. Drawing thousands of attendees from across the Mid-West, the multi-session daily event features scripture-based homilies, petition writing, and specialized sessions for families, the sick, and the elderly. The novena programme is available HERE. And you can get more information including livestreams from the Redemptorists website.In part one of the podcast we have our regular run through the upcoming liturgical odds and ends including saints of the week and some bits and bobs from around the Catholic world news.In part three we have our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is a return to the gospel of Matthew as we will journey with Matthew for the most of the liturgical year from now until November. In this weeks gospel (Matthew 9:36 -10:8) we have the naming and sending of the twelve apostles. Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

Limerick is preparing to celebrate its Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help from June 19th to 27th at Mount St Alphonsus on Henry Street in Limerick with the Redemptorist Fathers. On this weeks podcast we are joined by Fr Gerry Moloney who takes us through the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and through what is up coming at the novena this  year where the theme is "Called and Sent". The theme is based on the Irish Synodal Pathway and over each day of the Novena, there will be sharing and reflection on the principal focus areas from the synodal pathway. Drawing thousands of attendees from across the Mid-West, the multi-session daily event features scripture-based homilies, petition writing, and specialized sessions for families, the sick, and the elderly. The novena programme is available HERE. And you can get more information including livestreams from the Redemptorists website.Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

This reflection was originally published in 2023. Although the Redemptorist's title, ministry assignment, and the dates mentioned reflect the time of its original publication, the message of the readings and the reflection continue to speak meaningfully to us today.

Have you made your Legal Will? Part 2.‎‎⁠‎⁠‎As in Episode 21, Part 1, we have an experienced lawyer Dr ‎Robinson D'Souza and the hostess is Ms Sharmila Martis Arora. Fr ‎Juventius Andrade, Redemptorist, continues to bring the spiritual ‎dimension and those aspects of relationships - that a matter such as a ‎‎‘legal will' engenders.‎‎This program on the Legal Will has drawn forth a number of responses and questions. Some of these have been dealt with in Episode ‎‎22. Here, we have discussed the need for sound mind and mental capacity while making a will; the role and responsibility of the Executor ‎and witnesses; the complications of a Joint Will; the importance of indicating nominees; and the distinction between a living will and the ‎legal will. Of course, linked to it, is the possibility of donating organs of the body or the entire body itself at death. The Living Will has been ‎dealt with in great detail in Episodes 13, 14, and 15.‎A Legal Will, which comes into effect after death, is a form of communication between the person who has died and the heirs. Should the ‎heirs be taken into confidence when the person is still alive? So much depends on the relationship and this has also been discussed in ‎this Episode.‎This Episode has shown the importance and urgency of making a Legal Will. Start the process today, if you have not already done so. ‎Listen to this lively discussion and pass on this link to others!‎

As in Episode 21, Part 1, & Episode 22, Part 2, we have an experienced lawyer Dr ‎Robinson D'Souza and the ‎hostess is Ms Sharmila Martis Arora. Fr ‎Juventius Andrade, Redemptorist, continues to bring the spiritual ‎‎dimension and those aspects of relationships - that are dealt with in a Legal Will.‎In this third and final Episode on the Legal Will -  we look at some very concrete matters. How does one include all assets – like ‎passwords, digital material, as well as items of sentimental value? We also look at the establishments of Trusts, and the distinction ‎between a Gift Deed and the Legal Will. ‎There is a danger that when it comes to the Legal Will, one may choose to be so inward-looking and seek to distribute it only within the ‎family. Yet, when we realise, we are stewards of God's resources, it is also important to ensure that some resources in the Legal Will are ‎given to those - persons and causes - who are deprived and in need. ‎A Will is sometimes described as a communication between the dead person and those that are living - the heirs! While a clear legal will ‎try and avoid any conflict, yet if the relationship between the siblings is acrimonious, then it comes to the fore. How could a personal note ‎in the will beckon the heirs to harmony and unity instead of having family gatherings, ironically, in the court of law?‎It is important to remember that the one making the will, is leaving behind not only assets and monies, but a legacy of faith and values as ‎well, which the heirs must seek to continue in the manner in which they live, honouring the memory of the dear departed.   ‎This Episode has shown the importance and urgency of making a Legal Will. Start the process today, if you have not already done so. ‎Listen to this lively discussion and pass on this link to others!‎

‎⁠Guests : Experienced lawyer Dr ‎Robinson D'Souza and the hostess Ms Sharmila Martis Arora.Fr ‎Juventius Andrade, Redemptorist, continues to bring the spiritual ‎dimension and those aspects of relationships - that a matter such as a ‎‎‘legal will' engenders.‎‎This program on the Legal Will has drawn forth a number of responses and questions. The Living Will has been ‎dealt with in great detail in Episodes 13, 14, and 15.‎A Legal Will, which comes into effect after death, is a form of communication between the person who has died and the heirs. Should the ‎heirs be taken into confidence when the person is still alive? So much depends on the relationship and this has also been discussed in ‎this Episode.‎This 3 Part Episode has shown the importance and urgency of making a Legal Will. Start the process today, if you have not already done so. ‎Listen to this lively discussion and pass on this link to others!‎

This reflection was originally published in 2022. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

This reflection was originally published in 2023. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

This reflection was originally published in 2024. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

This reflection was originally published in 2023. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

This reflection was originally published in 2024. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

This reflection was originally published in 2025. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

Full Title Name: Transalpine Redemptorists endorse sedevacantism and imperfect council. Comments and questions. Oath to support U.S. Constitution? Danger of midterm elections: leftist judges lying in wait? Prayers for Fr Ripperger: Most people need therapist. Is "Easter" pagan? Repeating history: today's pagan idols, Arianism, barbarian invasions. Christ sends the Holy Ghost. The glorious reign of Saint Pius V. This episode was recorded on 5/5/2026. Our Links: http://linkwcb.com/ Please consider making a monetary donation to What Catholics Believe. Father Jenkins remembers all of our benefactors in general during his daily Mass, and he also offers one Mass on the first Sunday of every month specially for all supporters of What Catholics Believe. May God bless you for your generosity! https://www.wcbohio.com/donate Subscribe to our other YouTube channels: ‪@WCBHighlights‬ ‪@WCBHolyMassLivestream‬ May God bless you all!

This reflection was originally published in 2025. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

This reflection was originally published in 2023. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

Tuesday of the Third Week of EasterApril 21, 2026  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter. Our reading today is taken from the holy gospel according to John. The crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.”      Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”The gospel of the Lord.Homily Today's readings ask us to examine where our lives of faith are grounded. Are they grounded in the words and actions of Jesus or are they simply a set of practices with which we have become comfortable? In the gospel the crowd asks Jesus for a sign to believe in him. Remember, Jesus had just fed the crowd with the five barley loaves and two fish the day before. But they wanted something like the manna which had accompanied their ancestors in the desert for forty years, which they called bread from heaven. Jesus tells them that the true bread from heaven is what God is prepared to give them now, which will not just sustain the body, but will give life to the world. Of course, the crowd responds asking him to give them this bread always. Jesus then says to them: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” When we hear these words, we immediately think of receiving the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion; but Jesus is not speaking just of the Eucharist. He is calling each of us to share in his way of being: to love as he loved, to forgive as he forgave, to relate to God as his beloved children and to see in others our brothers and sisters and bring them consolation and healing as he did. That is just as difficult for us today as it was for those listening to Jesus' words. The bishop St. Augustine liked to tell his people: “become him whom you eat.” One who did just that was Stephen, whom we hear about in today's first reading. St. Luke tells us that Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and fearlessly proclaimed Jesus as the Lord and Savior promised by God through the prophets. This did not sit well with the elders and the scribes of the Jewish people. They thought they were done with Jesus by crucifying him, but Stephen accuses them not only of being blind to the law of God, but also of being in the line of those who murdered the prophets. He then proclaims Jesus not only as risen, but seated at the right hand of God. This was all too much for them. They threw Stephen out of the city and began to stone him. In this moment of facing death, Stephen remained a faithful witness to Jesus. He shared Jesus' way of being by his attitude toward his murderers: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And he died as Jesus did: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” A young man named Saul witnessed the stoning and may even have incited it; but I am sure he was affected by the manner of Stephen's death, because when Jesus appeared to him on the way to Damascus, he was quickly converted. The question for us is whether our lives witness to the power of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus? In a world where our Pope and bishops are being attacked by figures in authority who feel threatened by their preaching the gospel, may our way of living and speaking in and of Christ Jesus be a witness that can transform the world. May God bless you. Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsRBasilica of our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY

Despite Pope Leo being a relatively outspoken successor to Pope Francis, we are yet to see women be in any position of power within the Catholic Church. So, will we ever see this in the future?Joining Seán to discuss is Father Tony Flannery, a Redemptorist priest who was forbidden to practice by his superiors in Rome in 2012 for speaking up on many issues, including this one…

This reflection was originally published in 2023. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

This reflection was originally published in 2024. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

This reflection was originally published in 2023. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

Saturday of the Fourth Week of LentMarch 21, 2026  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent.Our reading today is taken from the holy gospel according to John. Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But others said, "The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David's family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?" The guards answered, "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." So the Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed." Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, "Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." Then each went to his own house.The gospel of the Lord.Homily In today's gospel we do not hear Jesus speak, but he is the center of everyone's attention. They all have an opinion about him, but they cannot figure out who he really is. Some think he is the Messiah, and for that the Chief Priests and Pharisees sent their guards to arrest Jesus. Other question Jesus' Galilean origins: "The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he?” The Pharisees are adamant: “Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." Others say that the Messiah must come from Bethlehem. They did not know what we know from Matthew and Luke that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and is of the house of David. Jesus, however, makes little of his human origins, whether he is from Galilee or Bethlehem. In the verses that come before today's gospel reading, he declares that he comes from the one who sent him. He comes from above; it was God the Father who sent him. For saying that the Chief Priests and Pharisees were even more anxious to arrest Jesus, but the guards returned empty handed, saying: "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." So. They ridiculed the guards and the crowds who were beginning to believe in Jesus. Interestingly, a lone voice spoke up in Jesus' defense. It was Nicodemus, the Pharisee who some time before had gone to see Jesus by night. He asked: "Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" The other Pharisees ridiculed him for his efforts; and then each went off to his own house. Listening to Jesus can bring ridicule and following him may even be dangerous. That was true in Jesus' day and is still true in our own. Even now, people are not in agreement over what Jesus represents. Jesus himself said that he had come not to judge the world, but to save it. His compassion for the outcast, the suffering and hungry drew an attentive following, but today compassion is considered weakness and attention to the needy a wasteful use of resources. Christians who adopt this attitude overlook Jesus' humanity on this earth and concentrates on his reigning in power at the right hand of God. This is a Jesus who will come in judgment for the earth, and will come at the head of a victorious army of angels. Thus, they can bless wars, whether in the Ukraine or in Iran. Of course, Pope Francis and now Pope Leo have questioned and sharply criticized this self-styled form of Christianity. Scripture teaches us that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us. When he comes in glory, he will gather to himself all who have imitated his life of love and reconciliation. As he said in the famous parable of judgment: “what you have done to the least of my brothers and sisters you have done to me.” We need more Nicodemuses today who are willing to stand up for the justice that flows from recognizing the dignity of every human being as created in the image and likeness of God and redeemed in the blood of Christ. We may not be able to do much on the world stage, but we can begin by recognizing the dignity of each person in our home, our school and our work. May God bless you. Fr. Karl E. EskerBasilica of Our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY

This reflection was originally published in 2025. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

Full Text of Readings Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent Lectionary: 244 The Saint of the day is Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer's Story Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer might be called the second founder of the Redemptorists, as it was he who carried the congregation of Saint Alphonsus Liguori to the people north of the Alps. John, the name given him at Baptism, was born in Moravia into a poor family, the ninth of 12 children. Although he longed to be a priest, there was no money for studies, and he was apprenticed to a baker. But God guided the young man's fortunes. He found work in the bakery of a monastery where he was allowed to attend classes in its Latin school. After the abbot there died, John tried the life of a hermit, but when Emperor Joseph II abolished hermitages, John again returned to Vienna and to baking. One day after serving Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, he called a carriage for two ladies waiting there in the rain. In their conversation they learned that he could not pursue his priestly studies because of a lack of funds. They generously offered to support both John and his friend Thaddeus, in their seminary studies. The two went to Rome, where they were drawn to Saint Alphonsus' vision of religious life and to the Redemptorists. The two young men were ordained together in 1785. Newly professed at age 34, Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer, as he was now called, and Thaddeus were sent back to Vienna. But the religious difficulties there caused them to leave and continue north to Warsaw, Poland. There they encountered numerous German-speaking Catholics who had been left priestless by the suppression of the Jesuits. At first they had to live in great poverty and preach outdoor sermons. Eventually they were given the church of St. Benno, and for the next nine years they preached five sermons a day, two in German and three in Polish, converting many to the faith. They were active in social work among the poor, founding an orphanage and then a school for boys. Drawing candidates to the congregation, they were able to send missionaries to Poland, Germany, and Switzerland. All of these foundations eventually had to be abandoned because of the political and religious tensions of the times. After 20 years of difficult work, Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer himself was imprisoned and expelled from the country. Only after another arrest was he able to reach Vienna, where he was to live and work the final 12 years of his life. He quickly became “the apostle of Vienna,” hearing the confessions of the rich and the poor, visiting the sick, acting as a counselor to the powerful, sharing his holiness with all in the city. His crowning work was the establishment of a Catholic college in his beloved city. Persecution followed Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer, and there were those in authority who were able for a while to stop him from preaching. An attempt was made at the highest levels to have him banished. But his holiness and fame protected him and prompted the growth of the Redemptorists. Due to his efforts, the congregation was firmly established north of the Alps by the time of his death in 1820. Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer was canonized in 1909. His liturgical feast is celebrated on March 15. Reflection Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer saw his life's work meet with disaster. Religious and political tensions forced him and his brothers to abandon their ministries in Germany, Poland, and Switzerland. Clement Mary himself was exiled from Poland and had to start all over again. Someone once pointed out that the followers of the crucified Jesus should see only new possibilities opening up whenever they meet failure. Clement Mary encourages us to follow his example, trusting in the Lord to guide us.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Saturday after Ash WednesdayFebruary 21, 2026 Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Saturday after Ash Wednesday.Our reading today is taken from the holy gospel according to Luke. Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”The gospel of the Lord.Homily In our gospel today we hear Jesus call Levi, a tax collector, to follow him. In the gospel according to Matthew, he will be called Matthew. The name is not so important as the fact that he was a tax collector, a class of people who was despised in Jesus' time because they because they were agents of the Roman occupiers. So, we might ask, along with the Pharisees, why would Jesus call such a person? Jesus obviously knew Matthew/Levi's heart better that he did, because that tax collector left his post immediately and followed Jesus. His joy at being chosen by Jesus was so great that he threw a great banquet and invited his friends, tax collectors and other outcasts, of course, to get to know Jesus. The Pharisees were not impressed. They tried to shame Jesus' disciples: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” They implied that anyone who would associate with tax collectors had to be a sinner. Therefore, the disciples must shun such company. Jesus wasted no time in coming to the defense of his disciples: “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” To follow Jesus, one must humbly recognize that he or she is in need of God's saving grace and that Jesus is the source of that grace. In our polarized society, where we are expected to show our allegiance to our own group by despising and bad mouthing those of other opinions or cultures, the call of Matthew/Levi should serve as a wake-up call. Jesus invites the outcasts to follow him and restores their value as children of God. We, each one of us, has been called by Christ, not because of any merit we may think we have, but because of the inner value he sees in us, and wants to bring forth. The prophet Isaiah in today's first reading shows us the way. “If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.” The Pharisees erred not by calling those who associated with the tax collectors sinners, but by thinking that they themselves were not. Jesus corrects them, not by denying that those with whom he was associating were sinners, but by saying that those were the very ones he had come to find and to save. As we enter the season of Lent let us recognize our need for forgiveness for the many times we have not acted as children of God and thank Jesus for calling us into his light. Then we must invite others to share in this moment of grace, as did Matthew/Levi.May God bless you. Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsRBasilica of our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY

This reflection was originally published in 2024. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

This reflection was originally published in 2023. While the Redemptorist's title, location, and the specific days and dates mentioned may no longer align, the reading and reflection remain just as relevant today!

Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint John Neumann Saint John Neumann's Story Perhaps because the United States got a later start in the history of the world, it has relatively few canonized saints, but their number is increasing. Saint John Neumann was born in what is now the Czech Republic. After studying in Prague, he came to New York at 25 and was ordained a priest. He did missionary work in New York until he was 29, when he joined the Redemptorists and became its first member to profess vows in the United States. He continued missionary work in Maryland, Virginia and Ohio, where he became popular with the Germans. At 41, as bishop of Philadelphia, he organized the parochial school system into a diocesan one, increasing the number of pupils almost twentyfold within a short time. Gifted with outstanding organizing ability, he drew into the city many teaching communities of sisters and the Christian Brothers. During his brief assignment as vice provincial for the Redemptorists, he placed them in the forefront of the parochial movement. Well-known for his holiness and learning, spiritual writing and preaching, on October 13, 1963, Saint John Neumann became the first American bishop to be beatified. Canonized in 1977, he is buried in St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia. Reflection Neumann took seriously our Lord's words, “Go and teach all nations.” From Christ he received his instructions and the power to carry them out. For Christ does not give a mission without supplying the means to accomplish it. The Father's gift in Christ to John Neumann was his exceptional organizing ability, which he used to spread the Good News. Today the Church is in dire need of men and women to continue in our times the teaching of the Good News. The obstacles and inconveniences are real and costly. Yet when Christians approach Christ, he supplies the necessary talents to answer today's needs. The Spirit of Christ continues his work through the instrumentality of generous Christians.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media