Series: Rivals

God promises us joy in abundance. Yet so few Christians experience joy because we allow God to have to scramble for a place in our hearts and in our lives. We tolerate (and even cling to) God’s competitors. We allow God to have rivals.

10/28/18 Rivals: Rival Voices

We do not conquer our rivals, we are called out from beneath their power.

Homily from the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The voices around us shape us. Some voices shape us more powerfully and more negatively than others. These rival voices fashion a lens through which we see the world. They can rob us of peace, joy, and Christ place in our heart. But to take courage, get up, Jesus is calling you.

Mass Readings from October 28, 2018:
Jeremiah 31:7-9
Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Hebrews 5:1-6
Mark 10:46-52

10/14/18 Rivals: The Reason is the Rival

God has an absolute claim on your heart. What is the reason you won’t give it to him?

Homily from the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

There is a clear difference between a reason and an excuse. Excuses are not acceptable answers, but there are times when even “good reasons” fail to be “good enough”.

Mass Readings from October 14, 2018:
Wisdom 7:7-11
Psalm 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
Hebrews 4:12-13
Mark 10:17-30

10/07/18 Rivals: All or Nothing

There are some relationships that do not tolerate rivals.

Homily from the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.

There are only two kinds of relationships that get to a point where it is “all…or nothing”: Romantic relationships and our relationship with Jesus. If we say “all”, that carries with it some consequences. Namely, all of our heart must belong to the other.

Mass Readings from October 7, 2018:
Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Hebrews 2:9-11
Mark 10:2-16

X