Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies

The podcast explores the importance of individual accountability and how individual moral acts shape one's character and relationship with God. It emphasizes the significance of staying true to one's convictions and defining one's character. The chapter also delves into the theological complexity of the book of Ezekiel and draws parallels to philosophers like Socrates and Plato. The primacy of the moral dimension of life is discussed and the impact of every moral act in defining one's character is highlighted.

Bishop Barron discusses a parable that challenges our view of heaven as a reward, and explores the concept of equal heavenly rewards for late repentance. He redefines the purpose of heaven as a path of love and service, emphasizing the importance of embracing love and will the good of others. The chapter also highlights the role of spiritual directors in personal growth.

The podcast explores the concept of living for the Lord instead of oneself, highlighting the cultural contradiction between individualism and surrendering to God. It delves into initiation rituals in primal cultures and the transformative process of transcending into adulthood. The speaker discusses the shift in mindset from self-centeredness to embracing life's challenges and emphasizes the importance of discovering meaning and purpose beyond ego. The podcast also addresses the societal impact of a safety-first mentality and invites listeners to embrace a spiritual adventure towards maturity.

Delving into the Protestant Reformation's core debate on faith vs. works, the Catholic perspective on salvation is explored. The interplay between faith, love, and good works is analyzed, with an emphasis on faith expressing itself through love. The significance of the moral law is discussed, clarifying misconceptions about justification by faith alone. The Catholic view on salvation is presented, highlighting the transformative power of faith and cooperation with grace. The essential connection between love and faith in salvation is explored, with a poignant story illustrating profound love through self-sacrifice.

Explore the struggles of the prophet Jeremiah and the challenges faced by a chosen prophet. Discuss difficulties in preaching in today's culture and promoting moral responsibilities. Reflect on the unwavering commitment of being a prophet and the transformative power of God's word.

Join Bishop Barron as he explores the confounding nature of God's ways and addresses common objections to the faith. Delve into the relationship between Israel and Jesus, the transcendence of God, and the mysteriousness of His judgments. Explore the concept of trust and faith in the midst of limited understanding.

In this podcast, the unsettling interactions between Jesus and a Canaanite woman are explored, challenging initial reluctance to help. The relationship between Israel and other nations is discussed, stressing that Israel is chosen for the sake of the world. The importance of walls and bridges is highlighted, emphasizing the preservation of identity while connecting with the wider world. The podcast also delves into the significance of connection and identity in the church's mission.

Friends, our Gospel for today is Matthew’s account of the calming of the storm and the walking on the water. This is an event that reached very deeply into the hearts and minds of the first Christians: we can find an account of it in all four Gospels. And the iconic representation in the Gospels shows us the theological and spiritual implications of this real event. It is an image of the Church, the barque of Peter, passing through the stormy times of life.

Friends, it’s a wonderful grace that the Feast of the Transfiguration this year falls on Sunday. The first reading the Church gives us from the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel might strike you as curious, but it’s very apropos. Daniel has a vision of four beasts rising from the sea, symbolic of four worldly kingdoms, each one being destroyed in preparation for a final kingdom—the kingdom of God. In Jesus’ time, they read these four kingdoms as Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. If you think this is just wild speculation that had nothing to do with Jesus, think again.

Friends, our first reading is from the First Book of Kings, and it's one of my favorite passages in the entire Old Testament. If you're going on a retreat, spending a Holy Hour, or just wanting to get in touch with the Lord at the end of the day, it's a wonderful little passage to focus on. The setting is the early days of the reign of King Solomon, and the question it raises is this: If you could ask God for anything, what would you ask for?