Preach: The Catholic Homilies Podcast

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

“I learn a lot about the character of my men by how they pick fruit,” says Bishop Joseph Tyson of the Diocese of Yakima, explaining that his “Calluses to Chalices” formation program requires seminarians to live and work alongside migrant farmworkers picking fruit in the summer. He recalls a moment when he discovered that some seminarians had taken a break apart from the workers. Noticing this, the migrant workers invited them to join in the shade and share their food. “When you're ordained a priest, you'll prepare the table for them,” Bishop Tyson told his seminarians. “But you start by being at their table.”In his homily for the Third Sunday of Lent, Year C, recorded for  “Preach,” Bishop Tyson draws a parallel between the seminarians' work in the fields and spiritual fruitfulness. Speaking candidly with host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., around the time of Pope Francis’ letter to U.S. bishops, he stresses the need to address policies that harm marginalized communities.  “I become better—a better bishop and a better priest, and better to my men—precisely because I want to generate love for the migrant who’s passing through this diocese” he says. “We’ve got to find a way of preaching and teaching that better.”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

“This may not be my best day, but I know One who makes tomorrows better,” says the Rev. Daniel Kingsley, explaining how he hopes parishioners should leave the pews after hearing the homily on Sunday. “Sometimes, it's hope that gives people the motivation to see tomorrow.”Daniel, the pastor of Saint Clare Church and the administrator of Saint Pius X Church in Rosedale, Queens, NY, is our featured guest on “Preach” for the Second Sunday in Lent, Year C. After preaching on the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor in Luke's Gospel, Daniel shares with host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., his belief that preachers are called to inspire their communities to see faith as something active—something that transforms and moves people to action. He emphasizes how important it is for us to live out our faith beyond the pews. “May our witness to the Good News help bring healing and wholeness in everyone we encounter and every place we travel,” he says. “It would be tragic if our Sunday ritual were just a Sunday ritual.”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 engaging discussion, Luke Timothy Johnson, a renowned Scripture scholar and former professor at Emory University, dives deep into themes from Luke’s Gospel. He explores what it truly means to be a prophet, emphasizing the role of the Spirit in guiding witnesses for God’s word. The conversation highlights significant Lenten readings, including the temptation of Jesus and the parable of the Prodigal Son, encouraging reflection on suffering, reconciliation, and the church's prophetic mission in today’s world.

Ash Wednesday is one of the most universally accessible days in the Church’s liturgical year, offering a simple yet profound reminder: God’s grace is available to all—without exception. This is the firm conviction of our first guest for the Lenten season, James Hanvey, S.J., a Jesuit priest and theologian who currently serves as Secretary for the Service of Faith at the Jesuit General Curia in Rome.In his conversation with Ricardo da Silva, S.J., James reflects on the universal appeal of Ash Wednesday. “Everyone is drawn to the ashes—for whatever reason,” he says. “They may not feel that they can receive Communion, but they're drawn to the ashes. And I think it's about helping people understand, first of all, that they have a place here in this community, that they are welcomed and that the grace of this moment is for them.” He goes on to highlight the inclusivity of the ritual, emphasizing, “We’re all in need. How can I judge that your need is greater than my need? This quantifying doesn’t make sense. I mean, we all come in our need to the One that we need.”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

Last Monday, the 47th presidential term began in the United States. A day after the inauguration, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, delivered a powerful sermon at a national prayer service held at Washington National Cathedral. Her sermon highlighted the ethical challenges facing the nation and called for a deeper commitment to mercy, justice and compassion. Addressing pressing issues such as the treatment of immigrants and the rights of LG.B.T.Q. individuals, she made a direct appeal to President Donald Trump, who was present in the congregation. The reaction—for good and ill—to Bishop Budde’s sermon got us thinking here on the Preach team. Since launching the podcast, we’ve asked many of our guests how as Catholic leaders they can best balance preaching with politics. Where’s the line between speaking truth to power and staying true to the faith, the Scriptures— the Word of God? In this episode, we’re revisiting  a few of those conversations to explore how some faith leaders navigate the challenge of speaking out without compromising their spiritual mission when addressing political issues from the ambo.Listen to the full conversation with guests featured on this episodeGet 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

When Roger Schutz, a Protestant minister from Switzerland, founded the Taizé community in 1940 in a small village in Southern Burgundy, France, amid the turmoil of World War II, he envisioned it as “a parable of communion.” Brother Matthew, the first Anglican and Englishman to lead this unique Christian community as its prior, reflects on Brother Roger’s vision: “It was a way of saying that what we lived as a community together should be like a sign that didn’t need too much explanation.”On “Preach” this week, released during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity—a celebration observed by Christian churches worldwide—Brother Matthew, preaching for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, emphasizes the importance of moving beyond theological debates to focus on fostering reconciliation and communion among Christians. “I think that’s one of the challenges that we face—how to dare to go towards the other, even when you know that you’re not going to agree,” he says. “Because if we can’t do that, then this parable doesn’t work.”Read the Scripture readings and full text of this week’s homilyGet 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