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.

Exterior to Interior

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Advent

4th Sunday in Advent

The sacrifices and offerings God asks for in the Old Testament are meant to show forth the interior reality that God’s people desire to do His will before their own.  Jesus came physically into the world on Christmas day so that He could live not just next to us, but, ultimately, IN us – in the Eucharist and through the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Amidst the busy-ness of Christmas preparation this year, take time to remember why we do all these external things: to invite and celebrate Jesus’ coming into us again this Christmas!

My Homily from this weekend.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Advent

3rd Sunday of Advent

We celebrate Gaudete Sunday – “Rejoice” Sunday – this weekend.  What are we joyful about?  That Jesus came and gave us something we could never get on our own, a gift of supernatural power that brings us beyond even the strongest human ability, the gift of the Holy Spirit.  It is only in the Holy Spirit that we find a joy, a peace, a thankfulness that surpasses anything this world can offer.  That’s why we rejoice this Sunday, that we already have this gift.  Have you unwrapped it yet?  Come, Holy Spirit!

My Homily from this weekend.

 

A Highway for Our God

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Advent

2nd Sunday of Advent

John the Baptist challenges us in this second week of Advent to be prepared for Christ’s coming, to make straight a highway for our God.  God came to this earth because He wanted our hearts, and He’ll keep coming until He gets them.  When Jesus comes, will He find the road to your heart smooth-sailing for His holiday travel…or is it going to be a bumpy and windy ride?  What needs to be cleared away?  What needs to be added?  “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” this Advent season!

My Homily from this weekend.

 

The Holy Door

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Advent

1st Sunday of Advent

Happy New Year!  Today we begin, in the Church, a new liturgical year with Advent – the season of waiting, watching, and praying for the coming of the Lord at Christmas.  Pope Francis has also proclaimed this coming year a Jubilee Year of Mercy, wherein the Holy Door of St. Peter’s basilica will be opened.  We are all invited, in spirit, to step through that door  from a life of sin into a life of grace, to recommit ourselves as disciples of Jesus Christ, and, in a special way, to both receive God’s mercy in our own lives and to be agents of that mercy in the lives of those around us.

My Homily from this weekend.