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Will you preach the Transfiguration or this rotting flesh?

Will you preach the Transfiguration or this rotting flesh?

I preached this homily at Saint Rose of Lima Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Sunday, August 6, 2017. I know the intro still says Deacon Joe, but I was ordained a few weeks ago, so I am now celebrating Mass as Father Joe. The website will catch up soon, I promise. Setting the stage I would like you to put yourself into this story for just a moment. You are there watching (I don’t know – maybe…

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The Woman at the Well

The Woman at the Well

I preached this homily on the Sunday, March 19, 2017, the 3rd Sunday of Lent, at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Gospel was John 4:4-42, the story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Who is this woman? Why were the disciples amazed? The easy answers always come to mind. She’s a woman who’s not his wife. She’s a Samaritan woman, so a Jew can’t talk to her. She’s a…

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With Lazarus, once a poor man, may you have eternal rest

With Lazarus, once a poor man, may you have eternal rest

I preached this homily at St. Rita Parish, New Orleans, Louisiana on March 16, 2017. The Gospel was the well known story of The Rich Man and Lazarus. When you are called home, will your soul be light because you emptied yourself out, or will you be weighed down by taking and taking until you have everything? Pop Culture I am a big fan of finding the truths of the faith reflected in pop culture,…

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Don't worry. Be happy.

Don’t worry. Be happy.

I preached this homily at the Church of the Assumption in Nashville, Tennessee on February 26, 2017. The readings for that Sunday are: First Reading Isaiah 49:14–15 Response Psalm 62:6a Psalm Psalm 62:2–3, 6–9 Second Reading 1 Corinthians 4:1–5 Gospel Acclamation Hebrews 4:12 Gospel Matthew 6:24–34 In 1988, one of the great poets of the twentieth century wrote these words: Here’s a little song I…

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I have come to fulfill the Law

I have come to fulfill the Law

I preached this homily on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Our Lady of the Rosary parish in New Orleans, Louisiana. The readings are Sirach 15:15–20, 1 Corinthians 2:6–10, and Matthew 5:17–37. To Fulfill the Law The Law (Commandments) are the bare minimum. The Beatitudes, which we heard a few weeks ago, represent approaches to the world. Here, Christ outlines the perfection to which the Law pointed…

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Ephphatha: How are they they hear the Gospel?

Ephphatha: How are they they hear the Gospel?

I preached this homily at Notre Dame Seminary on Friday, February 10, 2017. I am preaching on Mark 7:31-37. I would like to focus for a few minutes on the deaf man. I want to present him as a type of baptism. Notice he did not come to Jesus on his own. He was brought. His deafness was to the Word of God, so he could neither hear nor speak God’s word. Why? He did not know it. He is a type of the…

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History and Theology of the Mass

History and Theology of the Mass

Over the last four weeks here at Saint Edward, I taught a 4-part class on the Mass for any interested adults in the parish. I figured I’d share them here. Here is the handout I created for the class: Mass Class Handout Lecture 1: Catholic Rites and Liturgical HistoryLecture 2: Vestments, Vessels, and TheologyLecture 3: Liturgy of the WordLecture 4: Liturgy of the Eucharist

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Why do we want to meet Jesus? I preached this homily on Thursday, September 22, 2016, at St. Edward Church in Nashville, Tennessee.

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We must put the same effort into our spiritual lives

We must put the same effort into our spiritual lives

I preached this Homily on Sunday, September 18, 2016, at Saint Edward Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The nature of parables This is a difficult passage since it sounds like Jesus is applauding this steward for lying and stealing from his boss. We need to remember the purpose of parables. The precise details of the parable are less important than the meaning behind them. So what’s the message…

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If Jesus did not rise from the dead… I preached this homily at St. Edward Church and School in Nashville, Tennessee.

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The Prodigal Son: We must take the first step This homily was preached at the 10:30am Mass on September 11, 2016 at St. Edward Church in Nashville, Tennessee.

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From the day you were born

From the day you were born

I preached this homily to the entire school (Kindergarten through eighth grade) at St. Edward School in Nashville, Tennessee. This is the Gospel for the day: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling…

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Even the demons believe that and tremble I preached this at the school Mass for St. Edward School in Nashville, TN. I realize this one is a little basic; I was preaching to the kindergarten through 4th grade at the school.

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He has come to set the world on fire I preached this homily at St. Edward Parish in Nashville, TN, on August 13, 2016 (it was the Saturday evening Mass).

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Martha and Mary This homily was originally preached at St. Edward Catholic Church in Nashville, Tennessee on July 17, 2016.

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So I got a haircut today. And I dislike the megasalons. I like real old fashioned type barbers. So I found one in Nashville near the parish and went. While we are chatting during the haircut, turns out the barber is good friends with Matt Maher... ... ... Because he's a member of jars of clay who just cuts hair during the off touring season for fun in a little studio attached to the side of their rehearsal space/studio.

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It would be better for Sodom and Capernaum This Homily was originally preached at St. Edward Church in Nashville, Tennessee.