Homily

January 6, 2020

Faith is the worship of God, not oneself, Pope Francis says on Epiphany

Pope Francis raises the Book of the Gospels as he celebrates Mass marking the feast of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6, 2020.

VATICAN CITY -- Worshipping the Lord as the Three Kings did involves making a journey "from the greatest form of bondage: slavery to oneself," Pope Francis said on the feast of the Epiphany.

Published in Reflections

December 10, 2019

Let yourself be consoled by the Lord in confession, Pope Francis says

Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Dec. 10, 2019. The pope said God will console anyone who lets himself or herself be consoled; all that is needed is to ask forgiveness.

VATICAN CITY -- Anyone who wants to experience the consolation and tenderness of God simply needs to go to confession, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass.

Published in Reflections

December 3, 2019

Pope Francis: Great faith sprouts from small, humble actions

Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Dec. 3, 2019.

VATICAN CITY -- God makes his presence known not by those who claim to have great faith but by those who are little and humble, Pope Francis said.

Published in Reflections

November 5, 2019

Pope Francis: Refusing God's generosity is a sin

Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Nov. 5, 2019.

VATICAN CITY -- In life, Christians face the choice of either being open to encountering God's generosity or closed in on their own interests, Pope Francis said.

Published in Reflections

November 4, 2019

Pope Francis offers memorial Mass for prelates deceased over preceding year

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in memory of cardinals and bishops who died in the past year. The Mass was Nov. 4, 2019, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

VATICAN CITY -- Jesus invites everyone to always go to him, which, Pope Francis said, also means no longer making life revolve around oneself.

Published in Reflections

October 31, 2019

Pope Francis: Jesus' saving love is real

Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Oct. 31, 2019.

VATICAN CITY -- Jesus' love for each person is a concrete love, a love that is addressed to each person "with their first and last name," Pope Francis said.

Published in Reflections

October 29, 2019

Christians, like water, become stagnant if not moving, Pope Francis says

Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Oct. 29, 2019.

VATICAN CITY -- Christians can become stagnant if they do not have the crashing waves of hope moving in their lives, Pope Francis said.

Published in Reflections

April 9, 2019

Devil targets those who succumb to despair, negativity, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - Sometimes Christians seem to prefer complaining and being unhappy in life, but that makes them a perfect target for the devil, Pope Francis said in a morning homily.

Published in Vatican

March 30, 2019

God's Word on Sunday: Embracing change is a vital part of living

The Crossing of the Red Sea by Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665)

Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 31, 2019 (Year C) Joshua 5:9, 10-12; Psalm 34; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Published in Faith

March 18, 2019

Imitate God by being merciful to others, Pope said

Pope Francis celebrates Mass March 8, 2019, in the chapel of his Vatican residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

VATICAN – The season of Lent is a time for Christians to reflect on and practice the mercy of God toward others and not waste away sitting in judgment of others, Pope Francis said.

Published in Reflections

March 16, 2019

God's Word on Sunday: Path to Heaven built with discipleship

A painting of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord found in St. Joseph Oratory in Mont Royal, Montreal.

Second Sunday of Lent, March 17 (Year C) Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28b-36

Published in Faith

March 8, 2019

Lent is a time to chip away at hypocrisy, Pope Francis says

VATICAN – Lent is a time to ask for God's grace to chip away at hypocrisy, which is seen in the natural human attempt to appear "worthier than we are," Pope Francis said.

Published in Reflections

March 4, 2019

Give up gossiping for Lent, Pope Francis suggests

Pope Francis gives the homily as he celebrates Mass at the Parish of St. Crispin in a suburb on the outskirts of Rome March 3, 2019.

ROME – Lent is a good time to concentrate on fighting the urge to gossip about others and instead trying to correct one's own faults and defects, Pope Francis said.

Published in Reflections

February 28, 2019

God's wrath is just as great as his mercy, Pope says

Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Feb. 28, 2019. In his homily, the pope said that God's wrath is just as great as his mercy for those who refuse to change their sinful ways.

VATICAN – Christians must not take advantage of God's forgiveness -- selfishly repeating sin after sin -- because God's wrath for those who refuse to change their ways is just as great as his mercy, Pope Francis said in a morning homily.

Published in Reflections

February 8, 2019