Repentance For All (3rd Sunday, Year C)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

There was a Southern Baptist minister named Pat Robertson, who often made headlines for his controversial remarks. Over the years, he commented on various natural disasters, like when he suggested Hurricane Katrina was divine punishment for America’s sins or claimed Haiti’s earthquake was due to a "pact with the devil." Naturally, these statements upset many people because they came across as highly judgmental and unsympathetic. But at their core, Robertson’s comments touched on a universal human curiosity: trying to understand why bad things happen, especially to people who seemed to do nothing wrong.

Even back in Jesus’s time, people wrestled with these kinds of questions. Our gospel today reminds us of an incident where some Galileans were slaughtered by Pilate and their blood mixed with that of animals, an act that was deeply humiliating and tragic. There was also talk of a tower collapse that claimed 18 lives. Folks wondered if these events were divine punishment for sins. Jesus’ response was clear: those who died weren’t necessarily more sinful than others. The key takeaway? We may never fully understand why such tragedies occur and whether they’re related to sin. But Jesus emphasized the importance of repentance, saying, "I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did."

To illustrate his point, Jesus told a parable about a barren fig tree. The owner wanted to cut it down, but the gardener asked for a bit more time to nurture it. If it still didn’t bear fruit, then it could be removed. This story still resonates today. While bad things happen and saints and sinners both face untimely ends, these events remind us of the uncertainty of life. Our focus should be on repentance and bearing good fruit during our time on earth; as long or as short as that may be.

We often procrastinate spiritually, assuming we’ll have more time to patch things up tomorrow. But today’s readings challenge us to reassess our spiritual complacency. Instead of asking how much time we have left, we should ask whether we’ve repented and are producing good fruit for God’s kingdom. This is not a new message for us or any Christian; St. Paul told his readers not to get comfortable or lazy; “Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.”

So why do we so often put off the the work of conversion and repentance? I believe most people intend to turn back to God “eventually.” But why do we delay? Reflecting on my own life, I can come up with three main reasons:

1. The Illusion of Time
• We think we have “plenty of time” to change.
• But Jesus reminds us: No one knows their last day; each day we have is a gift and never something to take for granted.
• Procrastinating repentance or delaying conversion is playing with eternity.

2. Comfort in Routine

• Sin can become a habit, and we grow comfortable in it. We know its not good for us but it is familiar.
• True repentance requires discomfort, humility, and effort.
• But without change, we risk remaining spiritually lifeless.

3. Fear of Confession

• Some avoid repentance because they fear facing their sins.
• But God already knows our sins; He wants to heal us, not condemn us.
• The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a gift, not a punishment.

The tree in the parable appeared healthy on the outside but was fruitless because it was using all the nutrients in the soil for itself rather than producing something for others. It is far too easy for Christians to do the same with the countless gifts God gives to us, especially the gift of our lives. The Lenten season is a chance for introspection and evaluation. Are we spiritually stagnant, doing just the minimum and going through the motions? Perhaps our appearance looks healthy and holy but our hearts have yet to give God the harvest he deserves? How much of our lives is centered around us; trying to fulfill our desires and achieve personal comfort or worldly security? Jesus, the merciful gardener, pleads for us to have another chance. But our time is limited, and we must make the most of it, especially now in Lent. Let’s use this time to allow Christ to work within us, turning our hearts and souls towards God.

So how do we repent? Before anything else, we need to ask for God’s grace. If our repentance is our own work or relies solely on our personal resolve, it will fail. After asking for the Lord’s help, the following steps will allow the Divine Gardener to do his thing!

1) Examine Our Hearts Daily:  At some point each day, take 3-5 minutes to ponder, "Where did I cooperate with God today? Where did I ignore him or the people he sent my way?” 2) Go to Confession: Don’t wait until Holy Week or put it off another year. Experience God’s mercy now. If the times provided at IW don’t work with your schedule, reach out to one of us priests! We will make time for you! 3) Break the cycle of sin: Identify one major area of sin in your life, the one that most damages your relationship with God and others. Take realistic, concrete steps to overcome it. Develop a plan that maximizes the chance of success and minimizes the ways you are put into that occasion of sin.4) Finally, look for ways to bear good fruit and be a blessing to others, especially through service. True repentance leads to acts of love, forgiveness, and generosity. It will result in a moving away from my obsession with personal comfort and desire towards how I can help and comfort others. The human heart has been made in the image of God; we find our greatest joy and fulfillment in giving ourselves away in loving sacrifice. That is where our lives find greatest purpose and joy.

With that in mind, we should know that Jesus’ warning is not meant to scare us, but to wake us up. The worst tragedy is not physical death but rather a wasted spiritual life, a soul unprepared for eternity. If today was our last day, would we be ready to meet God? Lent is our grace-filled opportunity to stop delaying, to turn back to God now, and to bear fruit that will last.

Look At the Stars! (2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

About three and a half years ago, a handful of parishioners and I backpacked through the Bechler River Trail in Southwest Yellowstone. It was a stunning and remote journey—just us, the trail, and the wilderness. One of the things I love most about backpacking is that it simplifies life. You’re not worried about emails, phone calls, or appointments. Your focus is just on the essentials—getting from point A to point B, setting up camp, gathering water, and resting.  

One night, after setting up camp on a hill above the river, I lay in the grass and looked up at the night sky. At first, I could see only a handful of stars. But as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, more and more appeared. Minute by minute, I saw stars I hadn't noticed before. Eventually, the Milky Way stretched across the sky in all its majesty.  

That experience reminds me of our faith journey—especially the story of Abraham. Sometimes, God is showing us something profound, but we don’t see it right away. It takes time for our hearts and minds to adjust, to perceive what He’s doing. Like Abraham and also the disciples at the Transfiguration, we often go through periods of waiting, confusion, and spiritual weariness before we start to understand God’s plan.  

We often think of Abraham as a spiritual giant who had unwavering faith. But his journey was anything but straightforward. By this point of his life, Abraham had been following God for years. God had promised him descendants, but he was still childless. He had left his homeland and had been wandering in foreign lands. And now, he was tired, doubtful, and struggling to trust. Then, God tells Abraham to look up at the stars: "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them… So shall your descendants be.” At first, Abraham may have only seen a few stars. But as his eyes adjusted, the vastness of the sky became clearer. In that moment, God was teaching him something deeper—that His promises are beyond what human eyes can grasp and what our first impressions tell us.  

But then, something strange happens.  

- Abraham falls into a deep sleep, and a great darkness falls upon him.  

- This darkness represents not just nightfall, but spiritual weariness and doubt.  

- Yet, while Abraham is in this darkness, God passes through the sacrificial offering, making a covenant.  

What does this mean?  Abraham is tired, but God is still at work. Abraham doesn’t fully understand yet, but God’s promise remains sure, the Lord is still faithful and steady. Abraham’s faith is weak at times, but God’s faithfulness never wavers.  

How often do we find ourselves in the same place?  

- Waiting on God.  

- Feeling weary and unsure in our faith.  

- Struggling to see how His promises will unfold.  

Yet, God is working in the background, even in the darkness.  

Fast forward to the apostles in our gospel. They, too, are on a journey of faith, full of ups and downs, doubts and struggles. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain. They are exhausted, physically and spiritually. But suddenly, everything changes:  

- Jesus is transfigured before them, shining like the sun.  

- Moses and Elijah appear, speaking with Him.  

- The disciples wake up to a vision of Christ’s divine glory.  

But, like Abraham, they don’t fully understand yet.  

- Peter, in his confusion, wants to build shelters—he wants to make sense of the moment.  

- But God interrupts him, saying: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!"  

The disciples had followed Jesus, but they had not yet grasped the full picture. They knew Jesus was the Messiah, but they didn’t yet understand that He would suffer and die. They saw His power, but they had to learn to trust beyond what they could comprehend. Like Abraham, they had to wait, to wrestle with their doubts, to trust even when they didn’t fully understand.  

What do Abraham’s darkness and the disciples’ confusion teach us?  

1. God’s promises don’t always make sense immediately.  

   - Abraham saw only a barren future, but God saw descendants as numerous as the stars.  

   - The disciples saw a teacher and miracle worker, but God was revealing a Savior and King.  

2. Spiritual weariness is real, but God meets us there.  

   - Abraham was exhausted and full of doubt—yet God made a covenant with him.  

   - The disciples were physically and spiritually weary—yet Jesus revealed His glory to them.  

   - When you feel tired in your faith, don’t assume God has left you—He may be preparing you for something greater.  

3. We must adjust our spiritual vision. 

   - Just as our eyes take time to adjust to the night sky, our faith takes time to grow and see God’s plan more clearly.  

   - We don’t always get instant answers—but if we keep walking with God, clarity will come in time.  

The next time you look at the night sky, remember:  

- The stars were always there—you just needed time for your eyes to adjust.  

- God’s plan is always at work—you just need time for your heart to trust.  

Like Abraham, like the disciples, we are on a journey of faith. Sometimes we will struggle. Sometimes we will be tired. But in those moments, God is still at work. So, wait on Him. Trust His timing. Keep walking, even when you don’t fully understand. 

Because in time, He will reveal His glory and he will never fail to keep his promises! Amen.

The Art of War (1st Sunday of Lent)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

One of my favorite activities I don’t do enough is read. Growing up, we sometimes got scolded by mom and dad for spending too much time with our noses in a book! What good children we were!Nowadays, and I am sure you can relate, most of my reading is work-related, task-oriented, punctuated by endless email and mind-numbing news. Whenever I take the time to indulge in my favorite genres of history and non-fiction, I am always amazed how much I enjoy it. One of the writings mentioned over and over in works about war and the heroes that fought them is a little treatise written more than 2000 years ago. The Art of War by Sun Tzu (Soon-Zoo) is an ancient Chinese military treatise that emphasizes strategy, tactics, and philosophy for the purpose of victory. Sun Tzu (Soon-Zoo) advocates for adaptability, awareness of one’s surroundings, along with the awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of oneself and the enemy. Although this work was intended for military leaders, the principles in The Art of War have been widely applied in business, politics, and personal development, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and calculated action.

I couldn’t help but think of this book as we reflect on the gospel for the first Sunday of Lent. Could there be a more important war than the one that exists between good and evil? We see one of those battles up close and personal today! Jesus was just baptized in the Jordan and his heavenly Father publicly stated his support and love for him. The voice from heaven identified him as the One sent from God for the salvation of the world. This put him on the radar for the world but it also alerted satan, who probably knew very little about Jesus until this moment. Accepting his mission, Jesus retreats to the desert for a sort of spiritual boot camp. He is in this barren place for 40 days, fasting, praying, developing the laser focus he will need to do the will of the One who sent him. During this period of self-denial and sacrifice, Jesus marshals the strength and determination required to fight on our behalf and save us from the ancient foe.

With this background, let’s highlight a few details in the skirmish today and relate them to our own spiritual struggles, applying the example of Christ and the wisdom of Sun Tzu (Soon-Zoo).

Jesus knows he is in hostile territory. The desert is an unfriendly place that strips away anything and everything which is unnecessary. Jesus wisely used this surrounding to his advantage, refining his mind, body, and spirit so nothing remains for the devil to grab on to. After these 40 days, he is spiritually streamlined; he knows himself, his mission, and he knows who satan is. He realizes how the devil will test him, the buttons of power, pride, comfort he will try to push. Jesus also understands his foe, the areas of weakness that exist where he can counterattack, putting the evil one on his heels for the good of humanity.

With Jesus’ example in mind, let’s apply some of the principles from the Art of War. Are we aware of our spiritual surroundings? Are we mindful that we are on a battlefield, in the middle of a fierce fight between good and evil? Or are we oblivious, content to worry about much less important things that will mean nothing in the context of eternity? People who live in a war zone are alert, careful, and clever. They make decisions to maximize their chances of survival and minimize the ways they could become a target for enemy fire. They are willing to make significant sacrifices to make sure their side wins and they can go on living. 

Once we acknowledge that we are in a spiritual battleground, we can assess our resources. Are our friendships, our homes, and our workplaces, set up to ensure spiritual victory and cooperation with Christ? Are they refuges of strength and safety or filled with landmines that favor the evil one? Are we aware of the environments where we place ourselves and do we use them to our advantage? Far too often, we wander into enemy territory or walk into ambushes and then wonder why we struggle with sin and the wounds of evil.

And do we know ourselves well? Our strengths and spiritual gifts? Our true vocation and place in the Church? Have we cultivated a personal relationship with Jesus so we can invite him to guide our process of self-knowledge and mastery? Many times, we neglect to get crucial intel from the one who made us and saved us, trying instead to do it on our own. We must also understand our weaknesses and struggles. Not in a spirit of self-hatred but rather in humility. The things that might be difficult for us, situations that lead us into sin; these we must know, acknowledge, and then avoid. There is great power in knowing both our strengths and weaknesses because then we can minimize the ways we make ourselves vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy and become an easy target.

Last of all, do we understand our opponent, the devil? He is real, make no mistake about it. He is ruthless and hates every part of us that reminds him of God. He is incapable of mercy and doesn’t hesitate to hurt us if he has the chance. He simply wants to steal as many souls from God as possible so they can share his misery. He is smarter than us, not afraid to lie or play dirty. The more we move towards God, the more he will try to discourage and tempt us. The people he already has on his side, he pays little attention to. He is also a coward, a liar, and full of pride. If it was just us against satan, we would lose every time. But here is the good news, the saving news. We can have Jesus as our warrior and shield. If we fight in union with Christ, we will win: every.single.battle. For the devil is powerless against Jesus; his weapons and tactics don’t work against the Son of God and anyone who lives and fights under his banner. The devil has already lost the war, the only battles that remain are for our souls and we enter the fray each and every day!

The season of lent is a time for spiritual training and re-grouping, a time to better understand ourselves and our ancient enemy. It is a time to re-align our mind, heart, body, and soul with Jesus. It is a time to throw away the things and routines that are superficial and detrimental our role on the battlefield. It is a moment to take note of our spiritual surroundings and make sure they are maximizing our chances for eternal victory rather than making us easy targets for the evil one. 

Are you ready to fight? Don’t you want to be on the winning side? How thrilling that God himself has chosen to fight with us and for us. Jesus, please help us to be spiritually strategic this lent and teach us the art of spiritual warfare so we may enjoy your victory over sin and death, your defeat over satan and his army. Amen

Who Is Your Guide? (8th Sunday, Year C)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

Today’s gospel is a summary of one of Jesus’ big teachings. He wraps up this particular lesson with a couple images centered around our most powerful sense, the gift of sight. Think how often we rely on our ability to see! And how often we depend on others to use theirs!

When I was in high school seminary, I had the experience of losing sight in one eye for a few weeks. My class was in the school library and when the teacher stepped out for a few minutes, one of my classmates decided to share his package of sprees (you know the nasty hard candy) with others by winging them across the room. I was minding my own business and figured I was safe because between me and the spree-hurler, was another classmate with an abnormally large cranium. I remember looking up just as the offender tossed the candy, sidearm. Somehow, it curved around my large-headed classmate and hit me right in the eye, scratching my cornea and causing bleeding inside the eye. I remember the panic right afterwards when I couldn’t see correctly and then the frustration in the weeks following while it healed. For his penance, the spree thrower had to lead me around, read out loud the assigned texts, and help me with whatever I could not do because of the injury. For those weeks, I had just a little taste of having to trust another to lead me in some basic things. In case you are wondering…I didn’t like it.

Jesus’ first main point: be careful who you choose to guide you. There are lots of spiritual guides and teachers in the world. There is no shortage of people who are willing to show you their way and secrets. But are they guided by God? Do they follow the Lord? Or are they relying on their own wisdom and methods? 

The scenario Jesus mentions is not just something out of thin air, a random thought of two blind people wandering through pothole city! In the middle east, water was the most precious resource. It was not unusual for the people of a town to dig for wells. Sometimes they were successful, sometimes they were not. The unsuccessful wells were not shallow pits or ditches; they were deep chasms that would mean grave injury or death if you fell in them. This was a real danger for anyone walking around an unfamiliar village without the benefit the light and sight of a local expert. The crowd listening to Jesus would have been nodding their heads as they thought of the various empty wells they had to avoid in their own town. 

The same danger applies to you and me as we make our way through life with the goal of reaching heaven. Our dangers are not abandoned wells but the pitfalls of sin. While there is no way to list them all, I think some of the most prevalent and dangerous right now are those that steal our time, attention, and quiet. The pursuit of excellence and virtue requires a certain interior stillness and dialogue with God, a listening for promptings of the Holy Spirit. We must be guided by the one who has the knowledge and sight to know where danger lies and how to stay on the path to our final destination. Jesus says in the gospel, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” So, the guides in our life must be formed and directed by Jesus in their own lives or they will lead us astray, despite good intentions.

So the question that comes out of this teaching is simple: who or what have I chosen to guide me? To whom have I entrusted my spiritual life and well-being? Where do I go for answers? In my relationships? In my professional life? In my faith, my prayer, my vocation? Who do I go to in times of conflict and confusion? Is it God, Is it his church? Is it myself? Social media or google? Is my guide and teacher informed by Jesus and his life-saving gospel or are they as lost as I am?! The choice we make for who and what guides is more than important; it is a question of life and death for our souls!

The second point is to examine how we look at others. Before we can ever presume to point out the faults, failures, or sins of another person, we must first examine ourselves. More often than not, the things that repulse and anger us about someone are the very things we refuse to address in our own life. It is far easier to see them in others than confront them in the mirror! The most effective and convincing witness for Jesus is the person who has honestly seen and admitted their own need for a savior. It is the person, no matter how imperfect or broken, who has accepted the fact that they need redemption, mercy, and forgiveness and are not afraid to say it. It is that humility and honesty that unlocks the clarity and charity to help another person. 

The question that proceeds from this point is simple but painful. How often do we examine our sinfulness and shortcomings? Not in a spirit of self hatred but in humble recognition of our need for salvation? Do we scrutinize our failures from a perspective of perfectionism or self reliance? Or do we approach each sin as confirmation of the necessity for Jesus and his grace, the only thing that can save us. Before we ever think about reaching out to another person to correct or guide them, this honest introspection must take place if we want to be any help at all. 

Jesus ends his teaching with the reminder that the results of our lives, whether those will be good or bad, a blessing or a curse, are determined by what is in our heart. What we have fostered in our hearts will determine if our thoughts, words, and actions are pleasing to God and give life to others. Take the time this lent to look inward and consider the spiritual fruit your heart is producing. Is it pleasing to God and helpful to others? Are you open to guidance in your life, especially from Christ and his Church? Are you allowing yourself to be led by Godly people and principles, always acknowledging the need for Jesus’ grace and redemption?

If so, the path to eternal life will be shown to you, one step at a time. You will avoid the pitfalls that so often capture and afflict others. Not only that, but you will become a light for others! A source of wisdom, goodness, and safety for those who are seeking Jesus. May we savor these lessons of Jesus today and let him teach others through the ways we live them out!

How to be Happy (6th Sunday, Year C)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

If we were to summarize the theme of our readings today, we could accomplish this with just one phrase: “If you want to be happy, do…” Each scripture has a different component of what it takes to live in deep, unshakeable joy that cannot be taken away by anything but sin. That sounds pretty good, don’t you think? Who doesn’t want some of that? And yet how many people, even many Christians, wander through life discontent, feeling empty, unfulfilled, and deeply depressed. Haven’t we all felt this way at some time to one degree or another? 

True happiness is one of those elusive things that cannot be found if you seek it for its own sake. It is like those heat mirages you see while driving on a warm day which appear just down the road but disappear every time you get close. 

This reminds me of a little fable concerning two dogs; perhaps those of you who are pet-people have heard it! A young puppy said to his old grand-dog, “From my short experience in life I have learned that the best thing for a dog is happiness and that happiness is in my tail. That is why I am chasing my tail, and when I catch it, I shall have perfect happiness.” The old dog replied, “From my research and long experience, I too, have judged that happiness is a fine thing for a dog and that happiness is in his tail. But I’ve noticed that whenever I chase it, it keeps running away from me, but when I go about my business, it always follows after me.”

This might be a rough analogy but we can pause to take it in. If we want to be truly happy, we must seek the things of God, not happiness itself. It is a byproduct rather than the end-goal of a life well-lived! So what are the scriptural steps that generate happiness for us?

Jeremiah tells us real happiness consists in placing our trust in God and His promises. The Responsorial Psalm reveals joy in keeping God’s Law. In the second reading St. Paul reminds us that complete happiness is only realized in Heaven, and Christ’s Resurrection gives us our confidence of reaching Heaven for everlasting fulfillment. So far, this is pretty standard stuff for any person who believes in God. Beautiful and numerous are the beatitudes in Old Testament. They say that if you do this or that good thing, you will receive blessings. Thus, people were not surprised when Jesus used them in his teaching.

The trouble was, he seemed to invert them! Blessed are you, happy you will be, if you do the deed of suffering. Who saw that coming? Are we supposed to seek to be penniless, persecuted, sorrowful and in pain? Why would Jesus encourage us to embrace such terrible things? Throughout history there have been many interpretations about what Jesus meant by this teaching. Was it hyperbole? Did he really mean it? Was this little more than a pious preaching that we can personally disregard? I don’t think the beatitudes of Jesus were any of these things. He meant them as he said them and I believe it was for this reason. A person has to be open and empty in order to let God and others come in. In order to love and be loved we need to have space at the heart of who we are.

Consider the rich person who “has everything.” Aren’t they tempted to let their possessions define who they are? “Threaten my things and you attack me,” they might say. Possessions become an “instead of.” Instead of love, instead of faith, instead of reliance on God, I choose something seemingly more stable: cars or homes or connections or just plain power. Instead of eating only as much as we need, most North Americans who go to a restaurant order enough for multiple people! Would you like dessert, the waiter asks after we’ve already finished a 2-pound steak, a salad, and three sides. The principle running through all the beatitudes is this: you are blessed if you don’t cram yourself full. Full of food, drink, pride, drugs, fame, pleasure, busyness, exotic vacations, every kind of wealth, and the desire to be approved and accepted at any cost.

Jesus seems to be saying —— instead, blessed are you if you try to stay empty, if you leave some room for what only the Lord can provide, if you become a spacious home for God, for other human beings, providing a place where the suffering, sad, lonely, and poor can find refuge.

There is only one God who can save, only one Being who can give the bread of life, who can satisfy our deep capacity for love, and quench our endless thirst for happiness. Don’t you want to welcome that being into your soul instead of flying around at breakneck speed, seeking to fill yourself with all the other things that simply cannot satisfy? 

Take some time this week to reflect on what you are chasing in the effort to be happy. Are you living a life of beatitude, trusting in God and keeping his law? Are you mindful that this life cannot fully satisfy, remembering to set your sights on the life to come? Most important of all, are you leaving some empty space for the Lord to fill? He wants us to be happy so let us make sure to leave room for his grace!