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Saint Clement Shrine Podcast

Oblates of the Virgin Mary

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Audio recorded at Saint Clement Shrine, Boston, MA USA

Saint Clement Shrine Podcast

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Understanding John 3:16 (Sunday Bible Study)

Fr Peter Grover takes a look at the Gospel of John for Trinity Sunday The post Understanding John 3:16 (Sunday Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Pentecost Sunday (2023)

The post Gospel-Homily for Pentecost Sunday (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Seventh Sunday of Easter (2023)

The post Gospel-Homily for Seventh Sunday of Easter (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Ascension (2023)

The post Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Ascension (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Sixth Sunday of Easter (2023)

The Happiest Word: “Good” Dad told me to pick up 20 two-by-fours at Home Depot. We were working together on a job at our retreat center in Milton. As I was dashing out the door, he said, “Make sure they are straight.” Well, that changed everything. Home Depot’s two-by-fours are not all straight. Sure enough,... The post Gospel-Homily for Sixth Sunday of Easter (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Hidden Power of Gentleness (Bible Study)

The post The Hidden Power of Gentleness (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fifth Sunday of Easter (2023)

How to Build a Church Peter, the Apostle, likes to talk about rocks in his letter. He uses rocks as an analogy, not because his name means rock, but because he wants to tell us how to build a church. This is how you build a church. You start with a cornerstone. This is the... The post Gospel-Homily for Fifth Sunday of Easter (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

What are Spiritual Sacrifices? (Bible Study)

Fr Peter Grover looks at 1 Peter for the 5th Week of Easter 1 Peter 2:4-9: Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer... The post What are Spiritual Sacrifices? (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday of Easter (2023)

Graves Have Doors “I am the gate.” It is a metaphor. Picture going to a cemetery and one of the graves has a door so the dead person can walk out. That would be ridiculous because dead people cannot walk through open doors. But Jesus says that tombs have doors. Remember when Lazarus was in... The post Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday of Easter (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

God Empowers Us (Bible Study)

The post God Empowers Us (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Easter (2023)

After the 8:00 pm Mass, I went downstairs to join the fellows at the Super Bowl party. The atmosphere was jovial and energetic with lots of laughter and high-fives. The reason for such a festive mood was because the Seattle Seahawks were one or two plays away from defeating the Patriots. As you could guess,... The post Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Easter (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday of Easter (2023)

Finish Lines I ran my first marathon last October. I also finished my second marathon several hours ago. While the subject is still fresh in my mind, I would like to state that marathons are not easy. But that is not the hardest part. Training is harder. I get up at four in the morning... The post Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday of Easter (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

How Can Suffering Reveal God’s Qualities? (Bible Study)

Fr Peter Grover takes a look at 1 Peter for this second Sunday of Lent and addresses how suffering can allow us to show off God’s qualities to others and ourselves 1 Peter 1:3-9: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth... The post How Can Suffering Reveal God’s Qualities? (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Easter Sunday (2023)

One of the doors was hinge-bound so I grabbed my chisel. Apparently, someone had used it as a crowbar. It was so dull that it couldn’t cut through pudding. No, I didn’t throw it out. I brought it to my father, who knows how to sharpen chisels. When I handed it to him, I lamented, “Just look... The post Gospel-Homily for Easter Sunday (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Good Friday (2023)

The post Gospel-Homily for Good Friday (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Holy Thursday (2023)

The post Gospel-Homily for Holy Thursday (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Why Jesus’ Burial Clothes Are So Important (Bible Study)

For Easter, Fr Peter Grover discusses the way Nicodemus wraps Jesus in the burial clothes and what that means for his faith and ours. Listen to Palm Sunday’s episode: The Most Studied Verse in the New Testament. The post Why Jesus’ Burial Clothes Are So Important (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Palm Sunday (2023)

He Saved Me as Well Pilate is having a conversation with the crowd. Pilate said to the crowd, “Whom shall I release to you?” The crowd shouted, “Barabbas, Barabbas.” Pilate then asked, “What should I do with Jesus your Christ?” And the crowd shouted back, “Crucify him, Crucify him.” Then Pilate inquired, “But what evil... The post Gospel-Homily for Palm Sunday (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Most Studied Verse in the New Testament (Palm Sunday)

Listen to last week’s episode on Why God Makes Promises to Mortals Philippians 2:6-11: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, ... The post The Most Studied Verse in the New Testament (Palm Sunday) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fifth Sunday of Lent (2023)

God Sees Every Tear, and He Knows How to Wipe Them Away I grew up with four brothers, no sisters. I worked for my father in his construction company, no girls. I now belong to a religious congregation, all guys. In my personal journey with the boys, I learned one thing. Guys like to hide... The post Gospel-Homily for Fifth Sunday of Lent (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Why Would God Make Promises to Mortals? (Ezekiel 37)

Fr Peter Grover looks at for the 5th Sunday of Lent. Listen to last week’s episode on the Power and Paradox of the Psalms. Ezekiel 37:12-14: Thus says the Lord GOD: O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel. Then... The post Why Would God Make Promises to Mortals? (Ezekiel 37) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday of Lent (2023)

Care in a Way that They Never Forget My grandmother was a very religious person. So when my cousin was pregnant outside of wedlock, she avoided nana because she was ashamed. During a crowded Christmas party, my grandmother worked her way to my cousin. Nana wrapped her arms around her and said, “You make me... The post Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday of Lent (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Power and Paradox of the Psalms (Bible Study)

Fr Peter Grover takes a look at the responsorial psalm for the 4th Sunday of Lent and discusses it in light of the darker, more grim Psalm 22. Psalm 22: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My... The post The Power and Paradox of the Psalms (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Lent (2023)

Happy Customers I have a good friend who is a Shakespearean scholar. After he had published a book on the Bard, he was interviewed by a newspaper. At the end of the interview, the journalist asked him, “Why do you like Shakespeare so much?” He answered: “If I could write just one poetic sentence like... The post Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Lent (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Accomplish What You Never Before Could (Bible Study)

Fr Peter Grover takes a look at Romans 5:1-2 for the 3rd Sunday of Lent The post Accomplish What You Never Before Could (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday of Lent (2023)

It Doesn’t Take Much to Impress God Why did God Choose Abraham? Why did He go to Mesopotamia and ask Abraham to travel over one thousand miles, as the crow flies, to the Promised Land when He could have chosen someone already there? Why Abraham? It doesn’t say. Why did Jesus go to the Sea... The post Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday of Lent (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

How to Combat Bad Teaching (Bible Study)

Fr. Peter Grover, OMV looks at 2 Timothy for the Second Sunday of Lent and asks: How is it that we combat bad teaching? Paul writes to Timothy and addresses this question. Check out Fr Peter’s encouragement for the start of Lent. Find this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcast or our YouTube channel. The post How to Combat Bad Teaching (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for First Sunday of Lent (2023)

Cloths, Adam and Eve, and Doing What We Were Made to Do Dad and I went fishing on the coldest day of the year. I wore so many clothes that I looked like the Michelin tire man. A guy strolled, and his dog jumped into the icy cold water. When he came out, he stood... The post Gospel-Homily for First Sunday of Lent (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Ash Wednesday (2023)

The post Gospel-Homily for Ash Wednesday (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

This Lent, Depend on God (Bible Study)

Fr Peter Grover dives into Joel 2:12-18 for Ash Wednesday. What does Joel want us to know about God and ourselves? Watch the video to find out, and see all of Fr Peter’s Bible Studies here. The post This Lent, Depend on God (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time (2023)

Love: Giving that Benefits Others At the end of the snow season in March, I walked into a Sears store. They had something I wanted, and I had something they wanted. When the salesman discovered I wanted a snow blower, he got excited. He exclaimed, “This is a great time to get a snow blower... The post Gospel-Homily for Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Why Should We Still Read Leviticus? (Bible Study)

Fr Peter Grover dives into Leviticus 19 and explains why we still need to read and pay attention to Leviticus and the Torah (first fives books of the Bible) in general. Note: share this video with friends; Fr Peter promises a 5-piece series on the Pentateuch if the video gets 1,000 views on YouTube! The post Why Should We Still Read Leviticus? (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2023)

It Is All About Who You Are With My youngest brother hung out with my mother when she painted landscapes. When he was around nine, my mother gave him a set of charcoals, the variety used for drawing. He took them with a canvas and climbed up a mountain. When he came back, there was... The post Gospel-Homily for Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Secret to Accomplishing the Impossible (Bible Study)

Fr Peter Grover dives into Matthew 5:17-37 for the 6th Week of Ordinary Time and reveals the key to understanding Matthew’s whole Gospel, and how to do the impossible with God’s help. Listen to Fr. Peter’s introduction to the Gospel of Matthew here: www.youtu.be/ntrUN_726v8 The post The Secret to Accomplishing the Impossible (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2023)

Be Generous and Heal Quickly I love to teach Scripture, and I work hard for my classes. I have PowerPoint presentations, share my notes with the students, give them resources to help with their research papers, and hand their graded papers returned within two hours. At the end of the year, I receive the student... The post Gospel-Homily for Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Do Others Benefit From Knowing Us? (Bible Study)

Fr Peter’s dive into 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 for this upcoming Sunday. Watch the video below: The post Do Others Benefit From Knowing Us? (Bible Study) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2023)

The Beatitudes: Everyone Is Rewarded Moses went up the mountain to receive the ten commandments. One and only one of the ten has a reward. Honor your father and mother, and you will have a long life. That is the megabucks of prizes in the ancient world because it was rare to die of old... The post Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (2023)

The Happiest Words: Follow Me A couple asked me to preside at their wedding in a chapel in nowhere. I heard great things about map-quest, so I printed some directions and went off. I was encouraged and hopeful from the beginning. I took the Mass Pike and got off the right exit. I traveled for... The post Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (2023)

Turn Your Anguish into a Love Story I want to tell you a love story. During the President Carter years, my foreman told me that there was no more carpentry work for the moment, but he had a friend who was a landscaper and needed some help. So the next day, I drove down Main Street... The post Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for The Epiphany of the Lord (2023)

Seeing the Treasure The greatest archeological find, period, was the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls. Rich aristocrats who could read owned biblical scrolls. They had these scrolls because they wanted to learn more about God so they could make a difference in the world. When the Romans went to war with the Jews in... The post Gospel-Homily for The Epiphany of the Lord (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God (2023)

Are You Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution? The angel tells the shepherds that the sign of salvation will be an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Why swaddling clothes? The baby has been in the fetal position for nine months, and the mother wants to ensure that the baby’s bones will... The post Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God (2023) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Christmas Eve (2022)

Made in His Image It says in John’s Gospel that no one has ever seen God. When Jesus was born, His mother held Him in her arms, and for the first time in history, a human could see God’s face. What did Mary see? She saw herself, “He has my eyes. God has my smile.” ... The post Gospel-Homily for Christmas Eve (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday of Advent (2022)

Listen to the Angels I used to go to work with Dad. That is when Dad talked to me about life. I was going to work with Dad in the truck when he told me about the secret places to fish along the canal. I was going to work with Dad in the truck when I... The post Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday of Advent (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Advent (2022)

Seeing the Treasure The greatest archeological find, period, was the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls. Rich aristocrats who could read owned biblical scrolls. They had these scrolls because they wanted to learn more about God so they could make a difference in the world. When the Romans went to war with the Jews in... The post Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Advent (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday of Advent (2022)

Shock Them with Goodness Anger can be a good thing. Not only does it tell you that something is wrong, but it also gives you the energy to fix the problem. There you are, sitting on your La-Z-Boy, relaxing when your dog walks in and chews on your brand-new expensive shoes. You are immediately energized.... The post Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday of Advent (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for First Sunday of Advent (2022)

I had a great Thanksgiving. Even better was the next day when I could make a turkey sandwich. I asked one of the priests in the house if there was anything left over. He told me that there was still a whole turkey in the refrigerator. There it was wrapped in tin foil, so I... The post Gospel-Homily for First Sunday of Advent (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (2022)

Crossing the Finish Line: “I Have Finished the Race” Perched on the top of the pyramid of success, you will find the CEO, the King of the castle, the president, or the boss. You will find the worker bees at the bottom of the pyramid of success. Here is how the pyramid of success works.... The post Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

God Is the First to Know My brother asked, “Come camping with us.” I told him that I did not have any camping equipment and that there was a reason I did not have any camping equipment. He told me, “I have everything you need.” So I went against my better judgment. When I arrived,... The post Gospel-Homily for Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Do we Look Like Believers A family decided to take a young man off of life-support at the hospital. Before they did, they called for a priest. Typically, when I walk into a room of an elderly person, visiting friends and relatives are in conversation. When I enter a young person’s room, there is always... The post Gospel-Homily for Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Even the Flawed Have Potential to Do Great Things Why a Sycamore tree? Zacchaeus was hoping that Jesus would make the connection. No one likes a chief tax collector or a Sycamore tree. The bark peels off, and it makes a mess of your lawn. It has ugly brown blotches and unsightly spots. A Sycamore... The post Gospel-Homily for Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Crossing the Finish Line: “I Have Finished the Race” I used to hate the Boston Marathon. Living in Boston on that day means crowds, traffic jams, no parking, road closures, detours, and lots of noise. Since I started to train for a marathon, I have changed my opinion. Boston is the greatest race, period. No... The post Gospel-Homily for Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Greatness Is Found in the Waiting Room Remember When the Israelites were in Egypt? They had been waiting for God to rescue them from slavery for 400 years. They were still waiting for the Lord. When God appeared to Moses, he said, “I have heard the cry of my people.” Yes, 400 years of crying.... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

I am training to run my first marathon at the age of 62 years old. Have I lost my mind? The training has given me an opportunity to have first-time experiences. For example, chafing. Chafing happens when sweaty clothes rub against the skin for a long period of time, causing first and second-degree burns including... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

The Most Opportune Place to Be I read the parable and I know exactly why the high priests and the religious leaders want to sit with the high rollers at the front table at the banquet hall. That is because I have insider information. When a priest sits at the place of honor, they get Red... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Getting Inside the City I always forget something at airport security. I forgot to empty my water bottle. “Step aside, step aside.” I emptied my pockets and forgot to take off my watch. “Step aside, step aside.” I forget to take my IPad out of the bag. “Is this your bag? Step aside, step aside.”... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Why would God call someone a “fool?” A “fool” misses an opportunity. Let’s say I am an investor who spent a lifetime making meaningful, calculated risks and wise financial discussions that paid off over a long period of time. I’d die a rich man with a lot of money in the bank. After a few... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Two priests were in a room in the back of the chancery in Poland, and they couldn’t decide where to assign one of their confreres. He had a weak voice, was sick all the time, and was not a good preacher. None of the pastors wanted him as an associate. They decided to sent him... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Top Excuses Not to Pray? We can come up with a lot of reasons not to pray. It takes too long, and we are too busy. But this is not true in the parable of the man who asks his neighbor for bread. He goes there at midnight and asks, “Do you have some bread... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Getting inside the city I always forget something at airport security. I forgot to empty my water bottle. “Step aside, step aside.” I emptied my pockets and forgot to take off my watch. “Step aside, step aside.” I forget to take my IPad out of the bag. “Is this your bag? Step aside, step aside.”... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Top Excuses Not to Pray? We can come up with a lot of reasons not to pray. It takes too long, and we are too busy. But this is not true in the parable of the man who asks his neighbor for bread. He goes there at midnight and asks, “Do you have some bread... The post Gospel-Homily for Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

Looking Beyond My favorite place to fish on the Cape is Morris Island. The water is turquoise blue with miles of sand dunes. I was fishing there one day, and I turned around and noticed a house on top of the cliff with the shades down, blocking the beautiful view. So here is my question–... The post Gospel-Homily for Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

There is a rock in front of St. John Seminary where I teach. I am assuming it was there since the last ice age and it will probably be there at the start of the next ice age. If we drew a line from one ice age to the other, we would have a timeline... The post Gospel-Homily for Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

The Samaritans are not allowing Jesus to pass through their village. Now, Jesus and His disciples no longer have a shortcut to Jerusalem. They have to take the long way. Bad Samaritans! They are racists; they hate Jews. At least that is what the disciples believe. The activists want to send down fireballs and wipe... The post Gospel-Homily for Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (2022)

God created the world in six days, and he rested in the seventh. Recently, I was thinking about God Who, having created the world in six days, rested on the seventh. If I were God, I would not have rested on the seventh day. Instead, I would have stepped into the office for a few... The post Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Pentecost (2022)

Mariano Rivera is one of the greatest closers in baseball. Allow me to describe his unhittable pitch. Take a golf ball and tee it up. Now grab a driver and swing away. Just about three inches before impact, the ball rolls off the tee. That is a Rivera pitch. So you are in the batter’s box. ... The post Gospel-Homily for Pentecost (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Seventh Sunday of Easter (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Seventh Sunday of Easter (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Ascension (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Ascension (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Sixth Sunday of Easter (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Sixth Sunday of Easter (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fifth Sunday of Easter (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Fifth Sunday of Easter (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday of Easter (2022)

This is what happens when someone dies in the first century. They wrap the body in burial cloth from head to toe. Then they take the body and lay it on a shelf in a tomb and leave it there. One year later, they return to collect the bones and put them in a bone... The post Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday of Easter (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Easter (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Easter (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday of Easter (2022)

When the doctor saw my broken thumb, he told me not to use my hand. I replied to him, “If I cannot use my hand, how am I supposed to go to work to pay your bill?” Actually, I didn’t say that because I did not think of it at the time. But suppose that... The post Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday of Easter (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Easter Sunday (2022)

There you are with nothing but flip-flops on your feet, a t-shirt, sweatpants, and a tin roof over your head. You decide to put walls under the roof and you have a house. Next, you build a closet. Correction! A walk-in closet because you want lots of stuff. Then it would be nice to have... The post Gospel-Homily for Easter Sunday (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Easter Vigil (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Easter Vigil (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Good Friday (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Good Friday (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Holy Thursday (2022)

The post Gospel-Homily for Holy Thursday (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (2022)

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Have You Ever Received an Inheritance? 4th Sunday of Lent

My fly fishing instructor called me. It is usually the same message: “I found the fish in Boston harbor. Let’s go.” Yet, this time the message was different. He told me that he had stage-four cancer and that he made out his will. He then informed me that I was in it. After he died,... The post Have You Ever Received an Inheritance? 4th Sunday of Lent appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Lent (2022)

I walked by St. Clement and took a look at the flower garden in front of the church sign. I immediately noticed a large sumac growing in front blocking the wording of the sign. It had not been there a few days before. My neighbor, who helps with the gardening, was present and I asked,... The post Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Lent (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Why Does God Glorify Himself?

When I first started fly-fishing, I took a fly-casting lesson from a certified professional fly caster (they do exist). The instructor said, “Let’s see what you got.” Casting a line on a fly rod is similar to throwing a rope. You need momentum. So I swung back and then thrusted my body forward. I thought it... The post Why Does God Glorify Himself? appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for First Sunday of Lent (2022)

After I was first ordained, I knew a priest with a long gray beard. He would stroke it while I talked which gave me the impression that he was paying attention. One time I said too much and it prompted him to ask me, “Peter, do you pray?” I replied, “Of course, I pray. What... The post Gospel-Homily for First Sunday of Lent (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Ash Wednesday (2022)

Joel is an odd prophet. He gives us a story about the attack of the locusts. We city folk are not really threatened. What can a grasshopper do? But to a farmer, grasshoppers can be a disaster. Or let’s say you enjoy a glass of wine with your meal. A locust plague will mean that... The post Gospel-Homily for Ash Wednesday (2022) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

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Gospel-Homily for Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

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Gospel-Homily for Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2022)

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God Always Sees Treasure

I bought a one-hundred-year-old tracker pipe organ from a church that was closing. There it was in a thousand pieces in the basement. I had to hire a pipe organ builder. The Archdiocese gave me three referrals. I picked a name on the shortlist and made a call. The first guy pulled up in a... The post God Always Sees Treasure appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

A Family with Privileges

After I was ordained, I presided at a wedding and the couple insisted that I go to their reception. Naturally, I didn’t know anyone there except the bride and the groom. I couldn’t hang out with them because they were busy. I sat at a table with people whom I met for the first time.... The post A Family with Privileges appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Festival of Lights

Light always implies visibility. If you cannot see something, turn the light on. Whenever the Bible mentions light, it always signifies the visibility of God. This is a problem because God is invisible. So when God wants us to see Him, He has to offer light by way of a divine process called “glorification.” That... The post Festival of Lights appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Why Is God So Good to Me?

When Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth asks her a question. It is not the question I would have asked had I been Elizabeth. My question would have been something like this. “How did you know that I needed you to come and help me? How did you know I was expecting a child? My husband... The post Why Is God So Good to Me? appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Feast of the Holy Family (2021)

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Gospel-Homily for Christmas Day (2021)

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Gospel-Homily for Christmas Eve (2021)

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Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday of Advent (2021)

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Did You Know That God Can Sing?

Typically, after the engagement, the first task to get married is to go to the church and reserve a date and time. Once that has been established the engaged can then send out the invitations and rent a reception hall. But that is not how the Jews did it in the time of Christ. This... The post Did You Know That God Can Sing? appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (2021)

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God and Happy Endings

The book of Jeremiah is one of the longest books in the bible. The reason why is because Jeremiah didn’t write it. He had a secretary whose name was Baruch. Jeremiah sent Baruch to the temple to read it to the people. In fact, he read it twice. The churchgoers who heard it were deeply... The post God and Happy Endings appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Waiting for the Lord is Always Productive

The hemorrhaging woman in the Gospel suffered for twelve years before the Lord walked past her: twelve years of doctors’ ripping her off, twelve years of a failed health care system, twelve years without making a contribution to society, twelve years of sleepless nights, twelve years an outcast, twelve years of not having a life.... The post Waiting for the Lord is Always Productive appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Great Leadership

We all get discouraged, feel down, get upset, lose heart, or feel underappreciated. Once in a while, someone will come into our lives and throw us a rope, turn the switch, and give us hope and encouragement. That person is a leader. It happens. We lose our way in life. Once in a while, someone... The post Great Leadership appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Greatest Day

“After tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light and the stars will be falling from the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” That description does not sound like it is going to be a very good day. Yet, that is what happened on the... The post The Greatest Day appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

How To Impress God with Two Pennies

A woman has two pennies and two options. She could go to the temple and give a donation. What will happen is this. The two small coins will be rubbing shoulders with gold and silver pieces. The priest who takes the money will appreciate the gold and the silver. The pennies he could do without.... The post How To Impress God with Two Pennies appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

One day I went to Sears. They had something I wanted, and I had something they wanted in my wallet. The salesman came up and asked, “Can I help you?” When he found out that I wanted a snowblower and not something small like a pair of men’s black socks, he got really excited. He... The post True Love appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

How to Transform Yourself When You Are a Mess

One of the priests in my community had a very rare neurological terminal illness. One of the symptoms of the disease prevented him from doing his work as a priest. His blood pressure would drop significantly when he stood too long in one place. So it was hard for him to stand at the altar... The post How to Transform Yourself When You Are a Mess appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Get What You Ask For

I got what I asked for… the flu. Why would I ask for the flu? One of the priests in our community got the flu and we told him that we would cover for him. We would take care of the Masses, confessions, appointments, etc. We just wanted him to get better. After a few... The post Get What You Ask For appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel Homily for Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2021)

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The Most Important Job: Bear Fruit

When we go to work there are typically three types of people there. First, there are the bosses. They think they know everything, they micromanage, and like to take all of the credit for success. Next, you have the whiners who complain and they always have a reason not to like the boss, the job,... The post The Most Important Job: Bear Fruit appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Missing the Bullseye: Never Again

My uncle went to Hawaii and visited the leper colony of St. Damien the Leper. The only way to the village at the bottom of the cliff was by a donkey who walks a path no wider than a man’s shoulders. When my uncle got on the donkey he said, “This isn’t so bad.” But... The post Missing the Bullseye: Never Again appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Negatives Have Positives

Positives often have negatives. Allow me to explain. Positive: A woman had the hood of her car open. When I walked by she asked for a because the car didn’t start. I grabbed the jumper cables and a car. The woman was grateful to me because no one else offered to help her Negative: The... The post Negatives Have Positives appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Short Meeting

I go to a lot of meetings as a priest and they are always long. The reason they are lengthy is because we sit on comfortable, cushy chairs. In front of us is a table with bottles of water, a coffee pot, a pad of paper, and a pen with the church logo. Someone at... The post The Short Meeting appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

What Was Your Score?

While I was on vacation with Dad in Maine, a friend of his invited us to play golf at his exclusive country club that was built on the side of a mountain. At the first tee, I felt I was standing on the roof of a twenty-story building. I looked down the valley and saw... The post What Was Your Score? appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Amen: God is Rooted in Me

Every year an invasive weed grows in my garden. I do not know what it is called, but I call it the upside-down carrot. It has a leaf that is attached to a very fine delicate stem, which is attached to a root that looks like an upside-down carrot. Naturally, when I weed, the plant... The post Amen: God is Rooted in Me appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Inspiration: We Need It and Often

I came into the office after working outside in the garden. My office manager, Carol, told me I had messages on my desk. A painful moan slipped out of my mouth. I started to read the notes while Carol stepped out of the office. She returned with a glass of water and gave it to... The post Inspiration: We Need It and Often appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Ten years ago I took the GRE exam. Naturally, it was brutal. My sister-in-law could have walked into the examination room the next day without even studying for the exam and have aced it. She would have received a perfect score, but it was not the case with me. So when I found out I... The post Needing God appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Why Is Life So Hard at Times?

The queen of Israel, Jezebel, wanted to kill the prophet Elijah. So he hid in the desert, knowing that no one would go into a death zone to kill someone. They would have considered him already dead. But God came to Elijah by way of an angel to give him food and water. Elijah was... The post Why Is Life So Hard at Times? appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Talk to God Every Day

I have a tool caddie. It is a bucket with lots of pockets. I have every tool organized and nicely arranged. If I have to fix something, I just take the tool bucket to the job and I tackle the task at hand. One of the doors swelled up with all the rain and moisture... The post Talk to God Every Day appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

How to Face Your Mission Impossibles

No matter how hard it gets, difficult the task, or impossible the situation, just add humble simplicity and you will get amazement. Take my face, for example. Yes, it could use Photoshop, but just add a humble smile and some laughter, and my face lights up. Take a rodent. Give it some floppy ears and... The post How to Face Your Mission Impossibles appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Great Leadership

Last year I took one of those online classes on leadership. At one point during the course, we had to take a survey to assess our skills in this field. I did not do as well as I thought I would do. The survey told me that I was an average leader, but I was... The post Great Leadership appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Why I Read the Bible

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The reason is simple. You have been fasting all night and the first meal of the day breaks the fast. So what do you suppose is the most important food item you can put in your body after a fast? Certainly not donuts... The post Why I Read the Bible appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Now is The Time to Heal

After the Resurrection, the disciples went fishing all night and caught nothing. Jesus, as you know, is the model for healing. After Peter denied Jesus, he went fishing and caught nothing. Early in the morning, the Lord instructed them to cast on the right side of the boat and they would find something. They caught... The post Now is The Time to Heal appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Look at the fingernail on your baby pinky. It is very small. That is the diameter of a Roman penny. If you hold the ancient coin between your thumb and forefinger, it will disappear. There was a widow holding two pennies at the Temple treasury. No one noticed her donation. No one would be able... The post God Notices appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Biblical Storms: They Reveal Who has Faith and Who Does Not

God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach. Nineveh was responsible for the destruction and deportation of the ten northern tribes of Israel. They were absolutely merciless. Jonah said to God, “I know what is going to happen if I go. I will preach to them. They will listen and repent of their sins.... The post Biblical Storms: They Reveal Who has Faith and Who Does Not appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Mustard Trees: Even Weeds Have Potential for Greatness

Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. It is the smallest of all the seeds yet it grows into the largest of trees. So, what is a mustard tree? It is a big, oversized weed, thickly branched, and ugly. If you have a mustard tree in your yard, you... The post Mustard Trees: Even Weeds Have Potential for Greatness appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Corpus Christi: Offered as a Sacrifice for Many (2021)

Let’s say that the Holy Father was going to visit the United States. The first stop would be Boston and he wanted to have dinner here at St. Clement Shrine, hosted by the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. We would have to go to work. We would need to set up the hall with tables... The post Corpus Christi: Offered as a Sacrifice for Many (2021) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (2021)

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Pentecost: Gift of Truth (2021)

When the veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured, a young rookie, Tom Brady, was pulled to be the throwing arm for the Patriots. He did a good job and led the Patriots to the playoffs. It was about that time when the injured Bledsoe returned to the team so there was a quarterback controversy. Someone asked... The post Pentecost: Gift of Truth (2021) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

In God’s Name

Dad and I were at Barnstable Harbor and a dory pulled up on the beach. It had a wide-open pit, a milk crate for a seat, and a motor. Its sheer simplicity allowed the boat to hold a number of large bins. We went over to check out the bins to see what the owner... The post In God’s Name appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (2021)

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When I began to learn how to fly-fish I would go to the fly fishing show. Experts and professionals are there to offer tips and advice. When I arrived at the show I went to see my friend who had a table where he was selling his flies and materials. As soon as he saw me... The post He Chose Us appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The “Everything” Rule

I am one of five boys. Growing up with four brothers meant that we pretty much had Toys-R-Us covered. It also meant that every kid that lived within a mile radius of our house knew that we had toys. Mom had a household rule that was rigorously obeyed: if you wanted to come inside the... The post The “Everything” Rule appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Why We Follow the Voice of the Good Shepherd

The parishioners at my first assignment begged us to offer the kids a group to which they could belong and thus get them off the inner-city streets. I said, “fine,” so we had a high school level youth group with lots of enthusiastic participants. Along with car washes, dances, lock-ins, retreats, I offered a “mystery... The post Why We Follow the Voice of the Good Shepherd appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Peter’s Great Speech

A paralyzed man was jumping around in the temple area overjoyed, and a curiosity crowd was gathering around Peter who just cured the man. Peter needed to redirect the attention from himself back to Christ. This is how he did it. He told the crowd, “You all denied Christ. You denied Him of a fair... The post Peter’s Great Speech appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday of Easter (2021)

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Gospel-Homily for Easter Sunday (2021)

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Gospel-Homily for Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (2021)

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Gospel-Homily for Holy Thursday (2021)

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The Meaning of the Cross

Let’s say that you are walking along, and inadvertently you step in some quicksand. The more you struggle, the deeper you sink. Finally, you are up to your neck and you are about to be buried alive. The end is near, but then someone comes by, sees you, and extends the hand to save you. What... The post The Meaning of the Cross appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Share the Treasure

Witnessing is a great way to help others. Let me give you an example. Suppose the police made a mistake and thought I robbed a bank. I then turn to the arresting officers and asked, “When did I do this”? They said, “Last Sunday morning at about 11:15.” I thought to myself, “Wait a minute,... The post Share the Treasure appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

It Is Okay To Need God

We just heard one of the most inspired poems from the second reading. Let me make a few observations so that you can appreciate the passage. The first three verses of this poem describe unprecedented doom. Sin puts us on a path that leads to death. An analogy comes to mind that best expresses these... The post It Is Okay To Need God appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Lent (2021)

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Gospel-Homily for Second Sunday of Lent (2021)

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Forty Days: Getting Close to God in Difficult Times

It was buy-one-get-one-free Monday at Kohl’s department store. That means that you pay the highest gouging price for an item and then you get a second for free. My mother was sitting in her wheelchair holding a “froggy” beanbag pillow. I explained to her that if we wait until half-price Wednesday, we could get the... The post Forty Days: Getting Close to God in Difficult Times appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Ash Wednesday (2021)

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Gospel-Homily for Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2021)

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God Believes in Us, Let’s Show that He Is Right

After Job lost everything, his friends came to talk. The three are non-Israelites and represent the best in the ancient world. They told Job that God was perfect and just, therefore, Job must have sinned against God and that is why he lost everything. Right away we know that the smartest men in the world... The post God Believes in Us, Let’s Show that He Is Right appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Walking in God’s Shoes

When my oldest brother turned sixteen, he went to work with my father for the first time. When he got home that afternoon his t-shirt was soaked with his sweat and he had black soot on his face. I asked him, “What happened to you?” He replied, “Fire job; we gutted a gutted house.” That... The post Walking in God’s Shoes appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Repent and believe in the Gospel – And Do It Immediately

Nineveh was home to the terrorists of the ancient world. Once they went on a campaign and swept through a gaggle of cities like a group of school bullies, telling the inhabitance to give over their lunch money. They finally descended upon the Jewish city Lachish, without a doubt the place you want to be... The post Repent and believe in the Gospel – And Do It Immediately appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Baptism of Jesus (2021)

What does the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit do all day together? Let’s take a look. At the Baptism of the Lord, Jesus is pulled out of the water. Next, the sky opens and the Holy Spirit descends. While this takes place, the Father offers a short speech about the greatness of His Son. And... The post Baptism of Jesus (2021) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (2021)

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Gospel-Homily for The Epiphany of the Lord (2021)

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It Is About Who You Are With

Feast of the Holy Family. Just before my ordination, I met with the pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena in Norwood where I would say my first Mass. He gave me some valuable advice that I would like to share with you. He said, “When I was first made pastor I wanted to make a... The post It Is About Who You Are With appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Christmas Day (2020)

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Hail Full of Grace

If the angel Gabriel appeared to me, I would be very surprised. In fact, I would be shocked. When the angel appeared to Mary she was not surprised at the appearance; she was surprised by the message. Why would the greeting “full of grace” surprise Mary more than the appearance of a heavenly angel? The... The post Hail Full of Grace appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Third Sunday of Advent (2020)

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End of Darkness

Second Sunday of Advent: Let me get this straight. The Gospel says that the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem went out to see John the Baptist at the Jordan. Was John that popular? Am I to believe that everyone in Jerusalem went out in the desert to see John? I certainly... The post End of Darkness appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gratitude for the Future

First Sunday of Advent: I was walking back to the church after a run and a woman who was standing by her car called out to me. “My car will not start; could you give me a jump.” I said, “Give me a few minutes to get the car and some cables.” She said, “Oh,... The post Gratitude for the Future appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (2020)

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Gospel-Homily for Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (2020)

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I was about to take the youth group to Six Flags Great Adventure. while I was gathering up some permission slips, one of the chaperones came in and told me that too many kids showed up and that I had to turn away some of them. I looked out the window and saw about 30... The post All Saints appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Jesus was walking by a village, and there was a funeral procession. A widow was about to bury her only son. The Scripture said that Jesus had “pity” on her. The original word for “pity” is a Greek word splagchnizomai. I mention this because it is very hard to translate this word into English. We... The post Wiggle-guts appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

An Opportunity : eine Gelegenheit

After I got accepted into a doctorate program, I met with my director and he asked me if I could read German. I told him I could not. So he said, “You need to learn.” So here was my strategy. I made hundreds of German flashcards, and made stacks of fifty and put rubber bands... The post An Opportunity : eine Gelegenheit appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

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The Head of the Corner

How do you build a church? From the bottom up. In the ancient world, you begin with a cornerstone. You make sure that it is level and plumb. Then when you place a block of stone on top, it will also be level and plumb. If you keep doing that, put one rock on top... The post The Head of the Corner appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

God gave the Israelites a vineyard to harvest the choicest wine grapes. To appreciate such a gift we need to consult an expert. Once I had the chance to tour one of the vineyards at Napa Valley. The guide told us that to make world-class vintage wine, you need the perfect conditions. You have to... The post God is Great appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Stay in the Race

Cecil B. DeMille directed the epic classic film Ben Hur. While he was filming, he told the lead actor, Charlton Heston, that he was planning to include a chariot race. The director said to the actor, “I want you to be in that race, and I do not want a stand-in.” In so many words,... The post Stay in the Race appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

I had to buy a birthday card. I came back and looked at the receipt which said that my change was $1.59. They only gave me 59 cents. I didn’t want to go back to the store to get the right change, so I let it go. Then I went to the drive-thru to get... The post Share the Joy! appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Every Summer I offer a course on the Bible. This year, due to the pandemic, I was not able to do this at the church. Fortunately, one of our seminarians had a video camera, and he is an expert at editing film, so I was able to offer a course on biblical prayer on my... The post Short appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

A few years back we needed to replace the roof shingles. Brother David Guza’s older brother was a roofer, so we asked him to supervise our roof job. On the first day he told me that we needed a dumpster because we are going to begin stripping the roof. I called our dumpster company. They did... The post Follow appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

“Who do you say that I am?”

On the day of the resurrection Jesus walked through the locked doors. It states in the Gospels that the apostles were frightened because they thought they were seeing a ghost. They probably thought it was the angel of death coming to wipe them out for being such lousy apostles a few days before when they abandoned the... The post “Who do you say that I am?” appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to find the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” This is a very good thing, but then why is Jesus in Tyre and Sidon, far outside of Jewish territory? If he wants to find sheep of the house of Israel, what is he doing in Phoenicia?... The post To Last appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

God is in the Aftermath

God said to Elijah, “Go to the mountain and I will meet you there.” God wants to talk to Elijah because Elijah is hiding from the queen who wants to kill God’s prophet. So Elijah hides in the desert. Of course, no one is going into a death zone to kill someone. So Elijah goes... The post God is in the Aftermath appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

When God Loves You

When the bosses love you, they don’t just say it. Something happens. What happens when your boss loves you? That’s an easy answer. You receive a bonus, a pay raise, or extended vacation time. What happens when God loves? Things pop into existence. If I say the word ‘water’, nothing happens. But if God came... The post When God Loves You appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

One evening young King Solomon fell asleep, and he has a terrific dream. God came to him and asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Solomon answered, “Give me all the skills and knowledge I need so I can fulfill my mission in life by leading the twelve tribes of Israel.”... The post The Pearl appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

When I was growing up, Dad planted his vegetable garden next to the old chicken coop. Naturally, the soil was well fertilized so the vegetables grew like they were on steroids …and so did the weeds. One Saturday I weeded the garden. The neighbor, a barrel-chested guy with a thick beard, came over. He asked... The post In the Weeds appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter responded, “Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus asked him the same question two more times. I always wondered about that. Apparently Peter didn’t get it right the first time. What was Jesus looking for in Peter’s answer? I would like to know myself in case Jesus... The post Fervently appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

“And I will give you rest”

In the ancient world, parents told their kids the story of creation. It goes something like this. There was a water god known as the leviathan came into the universe, reached up to the top of the universe and popped the cork. All the rainwater poured in and filled up the universe with water. Sort... The post “And I will give you rest” appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Once Jesus said, “Give a cup of cold water to a little one and you will have your reward.” That is a hard saying. How do you equate a cup of water to a divine reward? I never really understood what the Lord was implying until one day. I was sitting at the desk in my office... The post The Daughters appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Working with God

Jesus said not worry about what we are to eat and what we are to wear or worry about our lives. So this is my question: Who in the Bible is the poster boy for anxiety? If anyone should be anxious about what he is to wear and about his very life, who would it... The post Working with God appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (2020)

In the ancient world, people used to worship powers. The sun was very powerful, so they worshiped the sun. Wind can be very destructive, so they worshiped the wind. Rain and water floods and could cause great damage, so they worshiped water. It did not take long to figure out that these gods, who manifested... The post Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (2020) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Pentecost (2020)

Pentecost is a Jewish harvest feast. What do you harvest in the month of May? You could harvest flowers. Everything grows well in the spring. You also can harvest wheat. Pentecost means fifty, so fifty days of harvesting means there is a lot of wheat, plenty for everyone. Let’s say you live in the ancient... The post Pentecost (2020) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Before my brother and his wife got married, they made a plan to have a simple wedding. They did not want to spend a lot of money on the wedding so that they could use their resources to start out in life. When they revealed their plan to the family, it did not go over... The post Revealed Plans appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Ice Cream in Winter?

What do shepherds do all day? They watch sheep. What do sheep do all day? They eat. That is, they graze on alfalfa weeds: very boring, especially for the young shepherd David. So he took out the ancient version of the video game, his slingshot. Whenever a wild animal scurried across the field or flew... The post Ice Cream in Winter? appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Good Shepherd Sunday (2020)

“I am the gate.” Why gate? I can understand that Christ is the shepherd of the sheep. I can understand why he is the vine because we are the branches. But the gate? When Abraham lived among the Bedouins, sheep, and lambs were kept inside the gate during the winter months. This made sense because... The post Good Shepherd Sunday (2020) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

When I was in charge of supplies here in the house, I had one company that provided all my cleaning equipment. I could call and say, “The what-do-you-call-it on my red vacuum cleaner broke.” Then they will say, “Okay, you need new belts, I’ll send them out to you.” You can’t do that with Home... The post Emmaus appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Divine Mercy Sunday (2020)

I grew up with four brothers, no sisters. I worked for on a construction crew—all guys. Over the last thirty years, I have lived in a religious community, all men. I spent most of my life dealing with guys. This is what I learned: Whenever you see a group of giddy, happy, and overjoyed bunch... The post Divine Mercy Sunday (2020) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Easter Sunday (2020)

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. (John 20:1-19) We do not see the risen Jesus yet; we see burial wrappings. So let’s take a good look at the burial wrappings inside the tomb. The headpiece is rolled up and put... The post Easter Sunday (2020) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

About 1000 yards away, at the fortress of Antonia, Barabbas was in a jail cell listening to a conversation between Pilate and the crowd. The conversation went something like this: Pilate said to the crowd, “Whom shall I release to you?” The crowd shouted, “Barabbas! Barabbas!” Pilate then said, “What should I do with Jesus,... The post Barabbas appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Limited Warranties and an Unlimited Guarantee

Let’s suppose I am Lazarus. My body is lying on a cold, stone shelf in a tomb. There I will stay for about a year. Then someone will roll back the stone. Put my bones in a bone-box and put a new body on the shelf. Before all of this happens, the stone is moved... The post Limited Warranties and an Unlimited Guarantee appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Great are You, O Lord

The Philistines were a people of nearly giant-like proportions from the North. They decided to seek a warmer climate, so they set out and journeyed south. As they traveled, they pillaged every village and city. They never lost a battle until they attacked Egypt. After the defeat, the Philistines settled along the eastern coast of... The post Great are You, O Lord appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

A Conversation with the Artist

My brother does the maintenance here at St. Clement. Once a week after work he grabs me, and we go to the art museum. Usually, when you go to the museum, you run around from room to room looking at all the pictures and then you go home. We do not do that. We go... The post A Conversation with the Artist appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Father says to the disciples: “This is my Son, listen to Him.” The disciples have a choice. They will listen to the Son or they will not listen to the Son. Which of the two is the correct choice? Of course, listen to the Son. What if the disciples choose the wrong answer and... The post Another Choice appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

We Can Get Back What Was Lost

I was with my mother as she was doing errands and she stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts. I ordered a plain doughnut. Why would a kid order plain doughnut instead of the usual chocolate-covered doughnut? Because a guy an apron and flour all over his arms just came out of the doughnut-making room and brought out... The post We Can Get Back What Was Lost appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

It is Not That Hard

A Hindu was interested in becoming a member of the Catholic Church and he joined the RCIA program. In one of the classes, he raised his hand and said to the instructor, “Let me get this straight; you are blessed if you are poor; you are blessed if you’re persecuted. If someone strikes me on... The post It is Not That Hard appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

A few months after 9/11, I had to fly to Pittsburgh. Before going through security, I got a bagel at Dunkin’ Donuts. I took my bagel bag and brought it to security, and they found a plastic knife in the bag. Why I ask did the clerk at Dunkin’ Donuts put a plastic knife in... The post Cut a Break appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Salt of the Earth

One night I walked into the TV room and some of the guys were watching a cooking completion on the food network. There was a guy that really wanted to win. He was running from one end of the kitchen to the other grabbing ingredients and adding to his skillets. The competition in comparison looked... The post The Salt of the Earth appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple The theological virtues are faith hope and love. What exactly is hope? Hope means that the situation is absolutely completely out of your hands and there is nothing else you can do but depend on God. We prefer love and faith because we are able to do things. Often... The post Hope appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Catching Fish and Mending Nets

Jesus is walking along and he sees two fishermen. He calls them. Next, he sees two brothers mending their nets. He calls them too. Why net menders? When a fisherman raises his net, the fish squirm inside. While it appears they are wiggling around in the net, what they are really doing is taking their sharp... The post Catching Fish and Mending Nets appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

In the book of Isaiah, God speaks, “You, O Israel, are my servant through whom I show my glory.” That is a significant statement. What exactly is glory? It is a Hebrew word “kabod” which also means liver. What does the liver have to do with God? The liver is the heaviest organ in your... The post Lifted Up appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The School of Mary

At the baptism of Jesus, the heavens open and the Father declares, “This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.” I have a question. What did Jesus do before his baptism? What did he do before multiplying the loaves, before walking on water, before curing the man born blind? Where was Jesus... The post The School of Mary appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Epiphany’s Light (2020)

I was on vacation in Maine, and I went to the other side of the lake to catch the evening hatch. The night was pitch-black. I had a flashlight, and I was using it to return to the camp. As I was walking along, I turned off the flashlight to see how far I would... The post Epiphany’s Light (2020) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Jesus, Servant Lord

My brother let me stay at his place a few days down the Cape, so I wanted to thank him with a gift. He has been married now for a while so our connection with one another has been sporadic. I really do not know what he needs so I decided to give him the... The post Jesus, Servant Lord appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Christmas Day (2019)

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Christmas Eve: The Gift of the Son, Servant and King (2019)

My brother let me stay at his place a few days down the Cape, so I wanted to thank him with a gift. He has been married now for a while so our connection with one another has been sporadic. I really do not know what he needs so I decided to give him the... The post Christmas Eve: The Gift of the Son, Servant and King (2019) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

I will be with you

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I was with Dad fly fishing a few weeks ago. As I was walking along a path next to the water I was fishing, I spotted a butterfly on the ground. I was struck by the bright colors, it looked like a stained glass window. I bent down to take a closer look, and I... The post To Praise God appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

I teach New Testament Greek at St. John’s Seminary. The first thing I tell my class on the first day is to put away the notebooks and pens; they won’t need them to learn the alphabet. I do this because I know what is going to happen otherewise. They would write down the Greek alphabet... The post Easy and Light appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

A Pleasant Surprise

Several years back, I got a new workout program for Christmas. One of the exercises was called the “Impossible Push-up.” Here is how it works. Place two basketballs on the floor and place your hands on top of them while balancing your feet on a beach ball. Now do a push-up. I can get into... The post A Pleasant Surprise appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Our Lord Jesus Christ the King (2019)

Perched on the top of the pyramid of success you will find the CEO, the King of the castle, the president, the boss. On the bottom of the pyramid of success, you will find the worker bees. Here is how the pyramid of success works. The worker bees at the bottom of the pyramid work... The post Our Lord Jesus Christ the King (2019) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

“He pitched His tent among us”

Let me tell you about my last camping trip. My brother asked me to go camping. Apparently, he reserved a nice spot beside a lake. I told him I did not have a tent, sleeping bag, or anything related to camping. He assured me he had everything I needed. When I got to the campground... The post “He pitched His tent among us” appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

I was about to leave to say Mass at a nursing home, so got my alb, draped it over my arm, and went to the back door to check out the car situation. I opened the door to see what was available and there was nothing in the lot. I forgot to sign out a... The post Climb a Tree appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

When I first came to St. Clement, the back of the church was taking in rainwater. Apparently, the façade caps needed some serious work so I called a company that rents hydraulic lifts. I got the secretary and I asked if I could talk to the president of the company. “May I ask who is... The post Pears appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Character and Faith in God

When the Egyptians turned the Israelites into slaves and placed them in bondage, what happened to the Israelites? The Bible says that the Israelites multiplied. The more burdens the Egyptians placed on the shoulders of the Israelites, the more their numbers grew. So how do you multiply? You fall in love, get married, and have... The post Character and Faith in God appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

At All Times Give Thanks

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Let’s say you are walking along and inadvertently you step in some quicksand. It is a slow sink, but the more you struggle the deeper you get. Finally, you are up to your neck and you are about to be buried alive. The end is near, but then someone comes by, sees you, and reaches... The post Staying Power appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Abundance of Scraps

26th Sunday of ordinary time, Luke 2019 So there you are sitting on the grass with the five-thousand holding a half a loaf of bread in your hand. You are so full that you can’t eat another bite. You start thinking about what to do with this half a loaf. You decide that you will... The post The Abundance of Scraps appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

In God’s Kingdom, Potential for Greatness

Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. It is the smallest of all the seeds yet it grows into the largest of trees. So, what is a mustard tree? It is an oversized weed. They are big, thickly branched, and ugly. If you have a mustard tree in your... The post In God’s Kingdom, Potential for Greatness appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Prodigal Father’s Legacy

My friend Jack taught me how to tie flies for fishing. They were always easy to tie, fun to fish, and they worked. In fact, that is how I produce my homilies: they are easy to write, fun to deliver, and they have to work. Anyway, my friend died and he left me something in... The post The Prodigal Father’s Legacy appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Let’s suppose I was invited to a banquet. I walk in and someone sees me from the head table and says, “Hey, Father, over here there is a seat.” So I sit down at the table and there I notice that everyone at this table is rich and famous. In fact, Billy Gates is seated... The post Banquets appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

So, Jeremiah was forced down a cistern. Why, after so many centuries, are we still reading about this? We all have encounters with bullies. Why is it important for us to know that Jeremiah was in a cistern? The reason is this. Jeremiah is a prophet, and every experience of a prophet, every action and... The post A Time to Mend appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

What Servants Do

I got a call from someone who wanted to visit our seminary. I prepared his room, picked him up at the airport, got him something to eat and gave him a tour of the city. Then over the next two days, I talked to him about his vocation, and I took him to see St.... The post What Servants Do appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Vanishing Vapors, Holes in the Ground, and Empty Barns

A guy successfully climbs up to the mountain of success. He has more money than he will ever spend, he is a king who rules over many nations so he wields great power, and he has vast wisdom and knowledge. Not many people can claim to have acquired so much in a lifetime. Most of us... The post Vanishing Vapors, Holes in the Ground, and Empty Barns appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

His Yoke and Our Inheritance

I was on a roofing job working in my father’s company. My uncle, who was on top of the roof, yelled down to me and my cousin to start bringing up the roof shingles. I reached down and shouldered an 80lb bundle of shingles and started up the ladder. A pretty college girl came by... The post His Yoke and Our Inheritance appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

One day I was at my desk, and I was on the phone. Apparently, someone tried to buy Rhode Island with my credit card and I was trying to figure out how to get a new card. While I was on hold the doorbell rang. So I hung up and answered the door. There was... The post Eyes to See appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Good Samaritan

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Jesus Returns to His Father

You remember the Acts of the Apostles. The book begins with the Ascension of Jesus. After that, the Apostles receive the Holy Spirit and they begin to “act” just as Jesus did before his resurrection. They preached like Jesus, they cured people like Jesus, and they got the authorities upset like Jesus. It is almost... The post Jesus Returns to His Father appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Two years ago I had the façade of the church repaired. We replaced over 150 concrete blocks. The casts had to match by texture, shape, and color. The project cost over four hundred thousand dollars. Think about that. You could buy a condo with a view for four hundred thousand dollars. You can take a... The post Worth It appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (2019)

One early morning my father called to tell me that my mother took a turn for the worst, and I should come to see her. When I got to the nursing home, Dad told me that he was going home to wash up and come back. I understood at the time that this could be... The post Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (2019) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Lord, the Giver of Life: A Homily for Pentecost (2019)

There are two things you cannot do when you are underwater. You can’t breathe, and you can’t cry for help. That is why the ancients feared to be under the water. To them, it was a tomb. When John the Baptist pulls you out of the water at baptism, what is the first thing you... The post The Lord, the Giver of Life: A Homily for Pentecost (2019) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

I met with my director at school when I was studying Scripture, and he asks me if I could read German. I told him I could not. So he said, “You need to learn.” So I put hundreds of German vocabulary flashcards into stacks of 50, and I put rubber bands around them. Whenever I went... The post Opportunities appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Holy Spirit, Our Advocate

When veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured, a young rookie, Tom Brady, was called in to be the throwing arm for the Patriots. He did a good job. When the playoffs arrived Drew was returned to play again and there was a quarterback controversy. Someone asked for my opinion and I thought they should give... The post The Holy Spirit, Our Advocate appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Kings and Servants

In the Book of Revelation, a massive dragon wants to attack heaven. The dragon thinks that the throne is unoccupied. There is no leadership, no organization, so there should be no problem taking over that throne. When he gets there, he sees that the throne is, in fact, occupied by the “lamb that was slain.”... The post Kings and Servants appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

I went to the post office to renew my passport. The lady who was working at the post office asked if I had the old passport and I did. “How old is it?” she asked. To show how dated it was, I turned to the page with my picture inside that was taken in 1983.... The post Marked appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Resurrection and The Life

Just after my mother died, I was with Dad, and he asked me if I wanted to see the new headstone they just delivered at the seminary. As we were going, my father explained to me that the plot he bought had four places one each for mom, dad, my brother, and me. When we... The post The Resurrection and The Life appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Easter Sunday (2019)

Here is my short list for good health: Get plenty of rest, breath clean air, eat a balanced diet, exercise, and don’t do drugs. What is the first thing they do when you are admitted to the hospital? They connect you to an I.V. machine, and they place a loud alarm beside your ear so... The post Easter Sunday (2019) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Easter Vigil (2019)

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Good Friday: They led Jesus away, carrying the cross by himself (2019)

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Holy Thursday: The Hour has Come (2019)

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Palm Sunday: Who is Barabbas? (2019)

Early in the morning on Good Friday, Pilate went out to address the crowd. And this is the conversation that took place. Pilate said to the crowd, “Which of the two prisoners would you like me to release for the Passover? Jesus or Barabbas?” And the crowd shouted, “Barabbas! Barabbas!” And Pilate answered, “Well, what... The post Palm Sunday: Who is Barabbas? (2019) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Remember a few years ago when the Red Sox were in last place? Sports writers criticized the players for their lack energy and effort. Fans were furious because they had to pay the highest price for Major League Baseball tickets only to see the team fold and lose every game. Five months later, thousands of... The post Opening Day appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

When I was growing up, my mother always came to me when something had to be done around the house. That made sense because my older brother used to help out my father with his chores, like mowing the lawn and fixing the screen door. My younger brothers were too young to know anything so... The post Happy appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

I was with one of my confreres while he was unpacking his belongings. He pulled out a bottle of liquor and said, “One of my friends in the parish gave me this as a going away present; this is very good stuff.” I said, “That doesn’t tell me anything.” So I asked him, “If I... The post How Long? appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

We always begin Lent with Ash Wednesday. We receive ashes to remind us that we are all going to die. Why would we want to be reminded of that? I knew a guy who was incredibly successful in life. Everything he touched turned to gold. I asked why everything he did was so good. He... The post Memento Mori appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Noah’s ark. How do you envision it? If you picture in your mind a large shoebox, about the size of a football field and about three stories high, then, Congratulations, you have read your Bible. The Bible gives the exact dimensions and the shape of the ark. But this is my question: why would God... The post Depend on God appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Ash Wednesday (2019)

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Strength in the Struggle

Why does God make it so hard on us? He tells Elijah, the prophet, to go to Mount Horeb. Mount Horeb is in the middle of the hottest, most brutal desert on the planet. It takes forty days to get there. For forty days, he has no access to food, water, or mini-marts along the... The post Strength in the Struggle appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

To Bless and Not to Curse

David could have killed Saul. And if he had killed Saul, David would have vastly improved his life. He would not have had to run for his life anymore, to look over his shoulder every time someone suspicious walked behind him, or to worry about a spear or arrow flying in his direction out of... The post To Bless and Not to Curse appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

One time a guy called my brother and asked him if he would work in his new computer company. He told my brother that he didn’t have a lot of money, but he could pay him with stock options. My brother thought long and hard about it, but in the end, he declined. Later, my... The post Treasure appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Problems and Their Solutions

Problems, we all have them. We just need to find the best solutions. One time I went on a vacation in the deep woods of Maine at my brother’s lake camp. I went to bed and outside my bedroom window was a love-sick bullfrog calling to his mate. “No problem,” I thought. “I can handle... The post Problems and Their Solutions appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

One day I went to Sears. They had something I wanted, and I had something they wanted. I needed a snow blower, and they needed my money. The salesman came up and said, “Can I help you?” When he found out that I wanted a snow blower and not a pair of men’s black socks,... The post Paul’s List appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Like They Have Been Blessed

Don’t be sad. This is the message of Nehemiah the prophet. There are a lot of reasons to rejoice according to the prophet. On New Year’s day, we go to Mass. In the first reading of the first Mass on the first day of the year, we hear the proclamation of Aaron’s blessing: “May the... The post Like They Have Been Blessed appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

At the wedding feast of Cana, we find out that Jesus is the groom. We know this because he acts like a groom. He is the one who provides the wine which is the responsibility of the groom. In the next chapter, John the Baptist says that he is happy to be the best man... The post The Groom appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

The Baptism of the Lord (2019)

Baptism of the Lord 2019 Do you remember the four-minute mile? No one could break the four-minute mile. Experts came to the conclusion that the human being could only run so fast and they presented all sorts of reasons: wind resistance, lung capacity, the human muscles, and bone structure were simply insufficient to support... The post The Baptism of the Lord (2019) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Prefer the Light to the Darkness

Prefer the Light to the Darkness Epiphany is the celebration of the festival of lights. One of the opening lines in John’s Gospel reads: “The light came into the world, but people preferred the darkness over the light.” Why would anyone choose darkness over light? People prefer darkness when they have something to hide. No... The post Prefer the Light to the Darkness appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (2019)

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Gospel-Homily for Vigil of Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (2019)

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Typically, we know who will win the election before we even go to vote. This is because of the polling. Sometimes the polls get it wrong, and there is a shock. If you go to the campaign headquarters of the shocked and unexpectedly victorious candidate, there is usually lots of happiness. That is precisely what... The post Joy appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Christmas Eve (2018)

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Gospel-Homily for Fourth Sunday of Advent (2018)

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God Gives Us Gifts For Others’ Needs

God Gives Us Gifts for Others’ Needs In 587 BC, the Babylonians took siege of Jerusalem. They destroyed the city and took the inhabitants as captives back to Babylon. It was known as the great exile. Fifty years later, the Persians rose to power and took over management of the world. They told the... The post God Gives Us Gifts For Others’ Needs appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

A Kind Spirit and A Gentle Heart

A Kind Spirit and a Gentle Heart Paul was in a Roman prison when he wrote the letter to the Philippians. Let me say a few things about Roman prisons. First, Romans do not provide food, clothing, or medical supplies. You must get that from the outside. So Paul’s life is depending on the... The post A Kind Spirit and A Gentle Heart appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (2018)

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Gospel-Homily for First Sunday of Advent (2018)

Remember when the Israelites were in Egypt? They were waiting for God to rescue them from slavery for 400 years. They were waiting for the Lord. When God appeared to Moses, he said, “I have heard the cry of my people.” “Yes, 400 years of crying what took you so long,” we might imagine the... The post Gospel-Homily for First Sunday of Advent (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Christ, King of the Universe (2018)

When I die, I want to ask St. Peter a question: “Why did Jesus have to ask you three times if you loved him?” Apparently, Jesus wasn’t all that impressed the first time Peter answered him, so he had to ask him again, and then again a third time. What was Jesus looking for in... The post Gospel-Homily for Christ, King of the Universe (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

There was a man who received a nice inheritance. He made a donation to our seminary. We were grateful, and so I invited him over, and I showed him around the seminary… this is where the seminarians pray, this is where they eat, over here is where they study. As we walked through the refectory,... The post Gospel-Homily for Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

So there I am standing in the Temple in the first century, and a widow comes up to me and says, “Excuse me, are you a priest?” I said, “Yes, I am.” She then says, “I was going to make my annual donation to the Temple, but I only have two pennies. Do you think... The post Gospel-Homily for Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for the Thirty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

Someone forgot to put a liner bag in the shop vacuum, and the plaster dust ended up in the air, which in turn set off the fire alarm. Usually, the fire department shows up right away, that is, when the telephone lines are connected properly. Apparently, something was wrong so I called the phone company, and a... The post Gospel-Homily for the Thirty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of All Saints (2018)

The post Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of All Saints (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

Does God love good people more than bad people? Answer: the lost sheep. Jesus leaves the 99 good sheep, righteous sheep, to go after the rebel, the one who is going to do his own thing. When he finds the renegade, he throws a party. The Bible answers questions so this is my question this... The post Gospel-Homily for Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

When I graduated from Princeton, the president handed me a scrolled up paper with a ribbon. It was blank. You do not get the real diploma until you hand over the receipt that says “Paid in Full.” So after the graduation, I had to drive to another building to pick up my diploma. Mom and... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

Can you say that you have kept the Ten Commandments all your life? Can you say that a bad word never came out our your mouth; you never stretched the truth; never looked at someone and had lust in your heart. Can you say you have kept the commandments since your youth? Do you have... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (2018)

Future Hope When Job’s three girls and seven boys were tragically killed, when his house collapsed, when 15,000 animals comprising his livestock perished in a fire, when sores broke out over his body, it is said that he sat on a pile of cow manure and ash to express how he felt about his... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

Before they let you climb what used to be called Mt. McKinley, the rangers of Denali National Park sit you down to show you the perils of climbing the highest mountain in North America. The presentation views images of thunderous avalanches, storms that flatten tents, hands, and feet blackened by frost bit, and twisted bodies... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

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Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

Let’s Roll One of my confrère’s brothers is a professional roofer. We asked him to supervise our roof job. On the first day he told me that we needed a dumpster because we are going to begin stripping the roof. called the dumpster company. “First thing tomorrow,” they informed me. I said that would not... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week of Ordinary Time (2018)

Wisdom is so good. Wisdom is not just a bunch of cold facts or brute knowledge. It understands with heart. When I look up at the stars at night, and my heart is moved to say “God you are wonderful because you are so big and vast!” That is wisdom. It is the heart and... The post Gospel-Homily for Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

Dad and I finished a day of fishing, and we stopped for ice cream. I went to the window and gave our order to the girl as I handed over a twenty dollar bill. She gave me change, and I put it all in her tip jar. I was hoping that she saw me put... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

I am a religious in the congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. We have houses in nine countries. One man oversees and manages all of this: the Rector Major. His name is Fr. David Nicgorski. Before he became a priest, before he entered the seminary, before he even thought about becoming a priest,... The post Gospel-Homily for Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

In one word, can you describe your relationship with God: master, servant, judge, lawyer, friend, counselor, service personnel, psychologist, Ticketmaster? If you read the Bible, you will notice that God is often referred to as a “Father,” but what does that mean? It means that dads in the biblical world always passed on secrets and... The post Gospel-Homily for Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary (2018)

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Gospel-Homily for Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

God tells Elijah, the prophet, to go to Mount Horeb. Mount Horeb is in the middle of the hottest, most brutal desert on the planet. It takes Elijah forty days to get there. Let’s do some math. It takes one day to walk about twenty-five miles in the ancient world. Multiply that by forty, that... The post Gospel-Homily for Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

So the Israelites are no longer under the oppressive thumb of Egypt. They are free. When they leave Egypt in freedom, they enter the desert where they find they have no grocery stores, no banana trees, no sheep wandering around. But they have God. So they turn to God, and he sends them food for one day only. That... The post Gospel-Homily for Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

The Lord said to the disciples, “Gather up the crumbs.” Why crumbs? God can do a lot with crumbs. Jesus told the parable of the rich man who ate sumptuously, and he didn’t give poor Lazarus anything to eat. Later, the rich man died and was tortured in flames. Naturally, when we hear the unfortunate... The post Gospel-Homily for Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

My provincial (my boss) came to me one day and asked, “Do you need a generator?” I told him we didn’t need a generator; I need a plumber. I tried to explain to him that the city does not have telephone poles and all the electrical lines in the city are underground. We have never lost power here... The post Gospel-Homily for Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)

There is a village of farmers who have to travel a distance to church. This is an added burden to their heavy load of work. So the local pastor got permission to build them a church, and they are now making good progress. The problem is this: the farmers are poor, and you can only... The post Gospel-Homily for Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018) appeared first on St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.

Gospel-Homily for Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (2018)