Repentance and Mercy

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Lent

3rd Sunday of Lent

Jesus is serious in today’s Gospel: “But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”  When we sin, we choose ‘Not-God’, and we get exactly what we want – ‘Not-God’ – that’s the definition of hell.  Jesus came to save us from this choice, so He calls us to repentance – to take full responsibility for our mistakes and to beg for God’s forgiveness, to turn away from sin and turn toward God.  Then Jesus can finally do what He’s been waiting to do – He can take away our sins and fill us with His life!  Then we know, by experience, the mercy of the Father.

Click here for my homily from this weekend.

Mountaintop Moments

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Lent

2nd Sunday of Lent

In the midst of our Lenten journey, we catch a glimpse today of Jesus transfigured in glory atop a mountain.  This Jesus who was seen by Peter, James and John is the same Jesus who has appeared to us, who has tangibly broken into our life at moments, who has woken us up, if only for an instant, to the reality of His presence in and around us.  What are some of your mountaintop moments?  These experiences are meant to strengthen us for the journey.  When the road seems too long, remember the view from mountaintop, and keep your eyes open…who knows when you’ll suddenly find yourself on top of another mountain?

Click here for my homily from this weekend.

Looking Up

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Lent

1st Sunday of Lent

Lent is a great opportunity for us – an excuse to slow down a little bit, turn off the TV, turn off the radio, and spend some extra time with our Lord.  Our Lenten practices shake us out of our daily routine and provide us an opportunity to look up to our Father.  Jesus in the desert wins against the temptations of the devil by looking up to His Father for strength.  In the midst of your Lenten practices, do you do them by your own will power?  Or do you let these practices turn your heart and mind to the Father in true and honest prayer?   Then even the simplest actions will give your faith a supernatural strength!

Click here for my homily from this weekend.

Ash Wednesday – Dust and Life

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Lent

Ash Wednesday

The ashes of today remind us that we are dust, and to dust we shall return.  But in the certainty of death is also our hope – we know that we are more than ashes, that the Lord has breathed life into this dust, that we are filled with God’s Spirit, that death is not the end – we’re headed somewhere!  So, how are you doing on the way?  What Lenten practices will you take up in order to better hear God’s daily calls and act on them?  Lean on Jesus this Lent, and He will give you the strength to live it!

Click here for my homily from Ash Wednesday.

 

Some Lenten daily reflections I’d suggest:

Dynamic Catholic: Best Lent Ever – http://dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever/

Bishop Barron’s Daily Lent Reflections – http://www.lentreflections.com/

God’s Calls

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

God’s calls to us often come as thoughts, just simple thoughts.  It’s easy to miss them if we’re not paying attention, or, if you’re like me, you reason yourself out of them.  But God is calling to us daily, in little moments, to witness to our faith, to reach out to others, to pray for others, to share our experiences of the Lord.  As Lent quickly approaches, how will you resolve to do something positive this year in order to hear these little calls of God more clearly in the daily grind?

Click here for my homily from this weekend.

The Power of Words

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We have opportunities each day to speak simply of our experience of God and perhaps change someone’s life by our words…even if it’s just a little.  We’re called by Jesus to be fishers of men, to cast out some lines in the midst of our day-to-day routine.  Will some disregard our words?  Yes.  But will some, even if it’s just one, be changed by what we say?  YES!  And I bet we’ll be surprised by how many faith-filled people are out there, and by how a simple little comment can lead to extremely encouraging conversations.  Our words have power, so let’s use ’em!

Click here for my homily from this weekend.

Walls and Windows

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Walls are necessary for security, to protect the life that is fostered within those walls. To be strong in our Catholic faith we do need to be set apart, we do need to build walls to protect our life inside from the attacks of the outer world.  But we are also invited – like the Israelites, like Noah on the ark – to open the windows at opportune times and let this life transform those around us: it’s both/and.  Where do you need to strengthen a wall this week?  And where are you being asked to open a window?

Click here for my homily from this weekend.

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.