Category: Feasts

Trinitarian Love

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Feasts, Ordinary Time

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

From all eternity God has existed in a relationship of love – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  These Three Persons of the Trinity are so united in love that they are actually 1 God.  This is the amazing faith we proclaim every time we make the sign of the cross.  And we have personally experienced this life of God: every single time we experience love, we taste for a moment the Trinity – for ‘God is love’ (1 John 4:8).  That’s what we look forward to in heaven.  That’s why, when we don’t feel like we have anymore love, patience, kindness or compassion to give during the daily grind, we ask for strength from God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Then we start loving with Trinitarian love.

The Holy Spirit Prayer

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Easter Season, Feasts

Pentecost

The Holy Spirit comes on this Pentecost day to strengthen us in 3 ways:

  1. In our relationship with Jesus Christ
  2. In defending the faith
  3. In spreading the faith

Every day this week, pray, “Come, Holy Spirit.  Come, Holy Spirit.  Come, Holy Spirit.”  When you’re relationship is faltering, when the Church is being looked down on, when someone needs to hear the good news of Jesus, it is the Holy Spirit who will give your His strength and His words to speak into that situation!  Come, Holy Spirit!

The Ascension is Still Happening

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Easter Season, Feasts

Solemnity of the Ascension

After a brief word from Pope Francis ; ) we celebrate how Jesus ascends today into heaven. This ascension is still happening every time a faithful soul passes from this life into the next. Those who are in heaven cheer us on and assist us in our ascension to God. But even when every soul is in the presence of God, heaven will still be waiting: waiting for the resurrection of their bodies, and waiting for God to create a new heavens and a new earth. The ascension happened 2,000 years ago, it’s happening today, and it will be happening until God’s master-plan of salvation is entirely fulfilled.

I Saw the Sign

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Christmas Season, Feasts

Solemnity of the Epiphany

In our Gospel today we see the three magi coming from the east.  They saw the signs God placed in their lives, and they followed them – straight to Jesus.  God wants to lead all people to Jesus, and God works signs in the life of every person on this earth – Christians, Muslims, atheists, agnostics, New Agers…it doesn’t matter.  The presence of the magi today shows that God IS working in the lives of all, calling all people to His Son, whether they know it or not.  What are the signs God is placing in your life?  How are you following them?

My Homily from this weekend.

Subordination…and Love?!

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Christmas Season, Feasts

Feast of the Holy Family

Jesus not only came as a baby at Christmas, He also entered into a human family – with all the joys and frustrations that go with it.  We are challenged in all relationships, but especially in the family, to put the wants and needs of others before our own, to stretch our hearts, to learn how to love more, to sacrifice for each other.  Our readings today all challenge us to put others first, “Children, obey your parents in everything…Wives, be subordinate to your husbands…Husbands, love your wives.”  Jesus loved us, and so He subordinated Himself to our needs, even to the point of death.  We can practice this kind of love every day, especially in the family!

My Homily from this weekend.

Christ the King

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Feasts, Ordinary Time

Solemnity of Christ the King – 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This feast is a challenge for us: is Jesus Christ the King of our lives?  And by that I mean, is Jesus Christ the King of EVERY area of our lives: family life, work life, public life, private life, personal life, mind, body?  Jesus is the King of all, and He wants to be King in your life, but He waits for you to decide.  So will you invite Jesus in today to be the King of all you heart?

My Homily from this weekend.

Ordinary Holiness

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Feasts, Ordinary Time

Solemnity of All Saints

Holiness isn’t the call of a select few, it is the ordinary call of every Christian – it’s the norm!  Everyone in heaven is a saint.  Saints aren’t angels, they’re survivors, with their own shares of difficulties and joys in this life, but who turned to Jesus again and again and again.  Want a direct path to genuine holiness, follow St. Therese’s Little Way, simply ask throughout the day, “What’s the right thing to do in this moment?”

My Homily from this weekend.