Preach: The Catholic Homilies Podcast

Seventeen years ago, Ricardo da Silva, the host of this podcast, heard a homily that has stayed with him ever since. It was preached by his novice master, British Jesuit priest Paul Nicholson, and began with a simple but unforgettable image drawn from medieval art: Jesus’ feet dangling in the air, his body swallowed by clouds. Preaching for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year A, Paul returns to that homily, reflecting on how visual art and imagination can lead those who receive a homily beyond scriptural explanation or catechesis and into prayer. Together, he and Ricardo explore how this feast—so often understood as a moment of departure—can also reveal God’s nearness and how that insight might shape preaching at funerals and help preachers speak to grief, absence and hope. Guest: Paul Nicholson, S.J., director of the Jesuit Institute in the United Kingdom. Get daily Scripture reflections and support “Preach” by becoming a digital subscriber to America Magazine⁠⁠⁠ “Preach” is made possible through the generous support of the Compelling Preaching Initiative, a project of Lilly Endowment Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shortly after Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV, Bill Gabriel, O.S.A., received an unexpected email from a student at Malvern Prep in Pennsylvania. The student asked, “Is this your boy?” alongside a photo of the new pope. Bill replied, “I wouldn’t say he’s my boy, but he is our brother,” referencing their shared Augustinian bond. The student responded, “Well, I guess that makes him my brother too.”  Preaching for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C, Bill finds resonance in his homily between the risen Christ’s parting words—“Peace be with you”—and Pope Leo XIV’s call for “an unarmed and disarming peace.” Guest: Bill Gabriel, O.S.A., Head of Mission and Ministry at Malvern Prep. Get daily Scripture reflections and support “Preach” by becoming a digital subscriber to America Magazine⁠⁠⁠ “Preach” is made possible through the generous support of the Compelling Preaching Initiative, a project of Lilly Endowment Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Every time I proclaim one of Francis’ homilies, my heart is filled with joy,” says Greg Heille, O.P. “It’s heart speaking to heart.” Recorded just hours before Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV—while the cardinals were still in conclave—Greg joins “Preach” host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., to reflect on the homiletic legacy of Pope Francis: always on message, spoken from the heart, simple without losing depth. He proclaims a homily by Francis for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C, in 2022, where those qualities shine through. Grounded in a single verse from John’s Gospel—As I have loved you, so you also should love one another—the homily weaves together themes of holiness, simplicity and love in action. Guest: Greg Heille, Dominican friar, preaching professor at Aquinas Institute of Theology and author of The Preaching of Pope Francis. Get daily Scripture reflections and support “Preach” by becoming a digital subscriber to America Magazine⁠⁠ “Preach” is made possible through the generous support of the Compelling Preaching Initiative, a project of Lilly Endowment Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this captivating discussion, John Connell, an award-winning author and organic farmer from the Irish Midlands, shares his profound insights from years of working with sheep. He reflects on the symbolism of sheep as care and vulnerability in the context of the shepherd’s relationship with Jesus. John emphasizes the quiet bravery of sheep and how gentle voices can guide them, drawing parallels to spiritual leadership. His journey from journalism to farming highlights the joy of reconnecting with nature and the deeper spiritual lessons that emerge from caring for animals.

When fishermen set sail, Deacon Marlowe Sabater says, they place one foot on the deck—and the other, unknowingly, “in the watery grave, because you just won’t know what’s gonna happen out there.” Born and raised in Metro Manila, Marlowe now ministers to seafarers and port workers—many of them migrant workers from his native Philippines—through the Diocese of Honolulu’s Apostleship of the Sea ministry. Facing unpredictable storms and countless dangers at sea, every safe return to shore, he says, is “an everyday miracle.” Marlowe is our guest on “Preach” for the Third Sunday of Easter. In his homily, he reflects on the Gospel story of the risen Christ meeting his disciples on the shore and connects it to the faith of those who work and live at sea today. In conversation with host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., Marlowe draws even further from his ministry—meeting workers at the docks to pray with them, to minister to them and to share the trust that sustains us all amid life’s storms: “When Jesus is in our boat, he has the capability of calming the storm of our lives.” When he’s not at the ambo, on the docks or behind a desk, Marlowe finds his anchor in family life with his wife, Maggie, and their two sons. He credits Maggie as his “editor in chief,” offering the honest feedback every preacher needs. “Sometimes she’ll read my homily and say, ‘I don’t feel it,’” he says. “And it’s back to the drawing board—and she’s always right.” Get daily Scripture reflections and support “Preach” by becoming a digital subscriber to America Magazine “Preach” is made possible through the generous support of the Compelling Preaching Initiative, a project of Lilly Endowment Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casey Stanton, co-director of Discerning Deacons, champions the role of women in the diaconate and fosters community within the Church. She emphasizes the importance of the Book of Acts during Easter as a guide for contemporary challenges. Casey challenges listeners to engage in collective faith, especially with marginalized voices, as society grapples with fear and uncertainty. Her insights inspire a call for deeper community connections and advocacy, making a powerful case for the transformative spirit of togetherness.

Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, shares his insights on living a resurrection life every day. He emphasizes that the risen life is not just a historical event but a present reality. Greg discusses how we can recognize God’s love in our daily interactions and become a source of that love in the world. He explores the healing power of storytelling and the importance of embracing personal wounds to connect with others. Greg highlights that living fully in the present can embody the spirit of resurrection any day, not just Easter.

Join Luke Timothy Johnson, a leading scholar on Luke-Acts and Professor Emeritus at Emory University, as he delves into the Passion narratives of Luke and John. He highlights the crowd's heartfelt repentance in Luke, presenting a hopeful image of the people of Israel. Johnson contrasts this with John's portrayal of Jesus' crucifixion, focusing on themes of presence and transformation. He argues that preachers should encourage deep engagement during Holy Week, emphasizing the powerful role of body language in liturgy and the significance of succinct preaching on sacred occasions.

In this engaging discussion, Amirah Orozco, a doctoral student in systematic theology at Notre Dame, dives deep into the story of the woman caught in adultery. She explores the theme of sin from both personal and societal perspectives. Amirah emphasizes the need to address the actions of those who judge rather than solely focusing on the woman's guilt. Drawing on liberation theologies, she highlights the transformative power of mercy and challenges listeners to rethink how they interpret scripture concerning women's experiences. A thought-provoking narrative that intertwines faith, feminism, and social justice.

The older brother in the parable of the prodigal son voices a common frustration: “The unfairness of somebody else getting what we think they don’t deserve,” says Stephen Tully, pastor of All Saints Catholic Church in Ballito, an affluent coastal town just north of Durban, South Africa, and chairman of the Napier Centre 4 Healing. Loyal and hardworking, the older brother feels overlooked when his father celebrates the younger son’s return with a lavish feast—a welcome he’s never received. “I think his pain and shame is that he’s done everything right. So why don’t I get more?” Stephen reflects. “Maybe the father never thought of doing a fatted calf for him because he was just so everyday happy with him.”On this week’s “Preach,” for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year C (Laetare Sunday), host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., is joined by Stephen, whose years of ministry among marginalized communities have shaped his reading of the parable—and even led him to question the younger brother’s motivations for leaving home. Could family dynamics and trauma have played a role in his departure? “For all we know, the prodigal son may have run away because the older brother was so arrogant, a horrible person to be with,” says Stephen. “You can go back to the older brother, but if he’s the toxic person that made you run away, stuff’s got to be done.”Get daily Scripture reflections and support "Preach" by becoming a digital subscriber to America Magazine“Preach” is made possible through the generous support of the Compelling Preaching Initiative, a project of Lilly Endowment Inc.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices