Persistent Prayer

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our Gospel this weekend the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray.  After giving a short version of the Our Father, Jesus tells a semi-humorous story (in my opinion) highlighting the importance of persistence – in the context of this passage of persistent prayer.  In our first reading  we see a model of this kind of persistence in the conversation Abraham has with God (also a rather humorous exchange, in my opinion). But both readings make the point that God seriously encourages persistent prayer. The question remains, though, “What or who does prayer actually change?  Does it change me or God?” Listen to find out!

The Voice of Conscience

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

After Moses gave the 10 Commandments to God’s chosen people, he said something very interesting: that these commands were already written in their hearts.  If, as Paul says in our second reading, all things are created in Christ, then it makes sense that the Maker would leave His mark deep within each of us, guiding us to what is best.  God has given each of us a conscience, His voice deep within our gut, leading us on the right way.  But then why do we need commandments or rules at all?  Why can’t we just each follow our own conscience?

Our conscience can sometimes be a burden and we don’t always want to listen to that voice.  So as we grow “smarter” and “wiser” we learn to rationalize away that voice of God deep within, until we hear only what we want to hear.  This week we’re challenged by Jesus to go back to the basics, to be reminded of what we already know deep within our hearts, and to listen for that simple and clear (but often difficult and inconvenient) voice of God which speaks to us from deep within – and to follow it!

Following the Small Calls

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our readings today, we hear a number of call stories: God calling others to follow Him in a particular way.  Whenever one of these calls happens in Scripture…that person is almost always busy!  They have other plans; something else is on the agenda for the day; other big things are already going on in life.  Sound familiar?!  When God calls it’s never convenient – it wasn’t before and it isn’t now.  But as disciples of Jesus Christ we are meant to listen for and answer God’s calls to us, no matter how big or small…or inconvenient.  The challenge this week: grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ by listening for and answering a few more of those calls!

Experiencing the Trinity

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Feasts

I have a favor to ask of you: this week I will be traveling to Rhinelander for the second week of our diocesan Extreme Faith Camp; if you could please keep me, all of our middle school and high school youth, our young adults and chaperones in your prayers – that hearts might be opened to experience Jesus Christ in a deeper and more profound way that will lead to a lifelong relationship with Him!  (Thank you in advance for your support.)

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

In the new parishes I am serving – St. Joseph in Hayward and St. Ann in Cable – we have three gifted deacons.  It is the custom in this cluster that the deacons preach every 1st and 3rd weekend of the month.  As a result, I will be preaching less often.  Lucky for you, I have homilies from previous years that I will continue to share ; ).  This is last year’s homily from Trinity Sunday: (Enjoy!)

Remember to Breathe

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Easter Season, Feasts

Pentecost Sunday

The coming of the Holy Spirit CHANGED the first followers of Jesus.  We received the Holy Spirit in baptism, we were sealed by the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus at every Mass…but how much are we CHANGED by these experiences?  Do you ever long for more in your faith but just don’t know why you aren’t getting it?  If that’s ever been you, listen to this homily, and most importantly – remember to breathe (spiritually)!

Ascending

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Easter Season

Ascension Sunday

In the new parishes I am serving – St. Joseph in Hayward and St. Ann in Cable – we have three gifted deacons.  It is the custom in this cluster that the deacons preach every 1st and 3rd weekend of the month.  As a result, I will be preaching less often.  Lucky for you, I have homilies from previous years that I will continue to share ; ).  This is last year’s homily from Ascension Sunday: (Enjoy!)

The Spirit Speaks

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Easter Season

6th Sunday of Easter

Have you ever heard one Christian teach one thing about Jesus, and then heard shortly thereafter another Christian teaching the opposite?  Who’s right?  How do we find out the truth?  In our first reading we see where the first followers of Jesus turned to find the truth in the midst of disagreements and controversies over what they should believe…and where they turned then is still where we as Catholics turn now!

I Make All Things New

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Easter Season

5th Sunday of Easter

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead turned everything we thought we knew completely upside down!  God showed that He has the power to bring good out of anything…even evil, and even the difficult and painful moments of our lives.  This weekend I celebrated my final weekend of Masses in the Superior area.  I have been asked to assist in covering the Masses in the Hayward and Cable Catholic Churches effective immediately.  Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into your hearts and lives.  Though this time of change and transition will be difficult, I know that God has the power to bring good out of all things.  Please welcome whatever priest comes to this area next with the same warmth and love as you did me, and he will be one lucky priest!

What Does God’s Voice Sound Like?

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Easter Season

4th Sunday of Easter

Jesus says today in our Gospel, “My sheep hear my voice.  I know them, and they follow me.”  What does God’s voice sound like in your life?  What happens when you follow it?  What do we and others miss out on when we don’t?  Often God’s voice/invitation doesn’t give us the whole story or plan He has, just the next step in the process…so we can easily dismiss those thoughts, that voice, because it might not seem, from our perspective, to make sense in that moment. But I challenge you this week: listen for that voice, and the next time you hear it (even if it doesn’t seem to make sense or takes you out of your comfort zone), follow it!  God has something special in store!