Bishop Donald DeGrood Homilies

Drawing on this weekend's readings from Ezekiel and Romans, Bishop DeGrood explores how to correct the people we love by explaining the difference between selfish criticism and authentic fraternal correction. Are you correcting someone because they are on a path that will lead them to sin or harm? Or are you criticizing a habit you find annoying? Bishop also explains the importance of proper discernment before speaking up. He encourages us to pray for the right timing, tone, motivation and words. As an example, he points to the monastic tradition of the "chapter of faults" where communities practice honest and loving corrections of one another as a spiritual discipline, and how this practice made an impact on St. Thérèse of Lisieux.Bishop's final message in this homily is to love one another as we love ourselves, which means to love as God loves and to accept one another's imperfections and to offer corrections in charity, not anger.

"Who do you say that I am?" When Jesus asks his disciples this question, it marks a pivotal moment in the Gospel. St. Peter's response reveals that he knows who Jesus is — even if he doesn't yet fully understand. In this homily, Bishop DeGrood unpacks two gifts of the Holy Spirit: knowledge and understanding. Will you take time in prayer to invite God in and ask him for these very gifts?

God desires all people and nations, and every heart to know him. Scripture reveals this desire over and over again. Isaiah prophesied that the house of the Lord would be a house of prayer for all people. In this homily, Bishop DeGrood reflects on the moment heaven and earth are united, and reminds us that we are united with the saints and angels at the Sacrifice of the Mass and taken back to Calvary for Christ's one-time sacrifice of himself for us.

How does a humble farm boy with very little education become the patron saint of priests? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood recounts the life of St. John Vianney, his love for the Eucharist, harassments by the devil, and the spiritual impact he had on the souls he ministered to and continues to inspire today. Bishop DeGrood asks for the prayers of the faithful for our priests through the intercession of St. John Vianney, who is a holy role model for them.

Do you struggle to love and obey the commands of the Lord? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood explains how the graces we receive in Baptism and Confirmation allow us to be receptive to God's plan for our lives, and how trust and surrender to God brings freedom in all things, even in the trials of life.

Do you feel your heart changing? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood explains what happens when God purifies and changes your heart, and how you can cooperate with God as he works within your heart. This homily also includes a special moment for four permanent diaconate candidates as they take the next step in their vocation journey through the Rite of Candidacy.

Is your soul open to the Lord? Or is your heart closed and hardened towards the Lord? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood explains the graces placed upon our hearts at Baptism that allow us to grow in spiritual fruitfulness, and how easy it can be to become distracted and discouraged from growing in faith. Will you allow the Lord to fill you with graces and water the seeds of faith in your heart?

Do you know the symbolism of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood explains what each part of the image means, and encourages us to allow the Sacred Heart to purify us.

Do you struggle to say "no" to sin and temptation? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood encourages us to stand up against evil and temptation like Christ did, and to grow in virtue and faithfulness to the Gospel.

How do we make ourselves worthy and let God live within us? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood reminds us that we must continually pray and ask God for the graces we need, and how it is God who makes us worthy.

Mothers have a special and privileged role in bringing new life into the world. In this homily, Bishop DeGrood reflects on the beauty of motherhood and how mothers and mother figures enrich the lives of those around them.

Does everything going on in the world have you feeling unsettled and disturbed? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood reminds us God has everything in his control, and encourages us to stay informed, but to not let the things that are happening consume us and lead us away from God.

We have entered into the holiest week of the year. In this homily, Bishop DeGrood encourages us to enter into the mystery of Christ's Passion and draw from the well of grace and strength this Holy Week, and enter into the passion God has for our own lives.

At the moment of your baptism, you were infused with graces. Not only were you infused with graces, but God also took you unto himself. In this homily, Bishop explains the reality of what happens to the soul at Baptism and when a baby is consecrated in oil, and how, through the waters of Baptism and holy oils, God pours himself into the heart and soul of the newly baptized.

Do you struggle with Lent? Do you tend to mumble and grumble when being tested or when God is asking you to grow? As human beings, it's our tendency because of Original Sin to resist growing in our spiritual lives. In this homily, Bishop encourages us to seek the Lord and allow him to fill us with his grace.

Do you struggle with the season of Lent? Bishop DeGrood did too as a child. In this homily, Bishop reflects on his childhood experiences, how the struggles he experienced back then now reveal the pathway for grace in his life, and he offers his encouragement this first week of Lent.

Do you know someone who embodies the humility of Jesus? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood reflects on the virtue of humility as the foundation of the spiritual life and how we need God to help us become humble like Christ was humble. Bishop reminds us that those who are humble are the most authentic. Do you want to be humble and authentic like Jesus?

When God's grace moves deeply within a soul, one can recognize it is of God. Even when we do not realize it, the heart yearns for deep connection with the Lord. In this homily, Bishop DeGrood reflects on the power of Christ's light and the power it has to draw any heart to himself.

Do you wish you had the courage to share your faith with a random person you encounter, or with your loved ones? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood explains why you can have the confidence to share the Good News with the people around you.

The baptism of Jesus is a profound mystery. Yet we do know Christ's baptism, and our own, opened the door to God's grace for us. In this homily, Bishop DeGrood reflects on the mystery and the extraordinary gift of the Sacrament of Baptism.

Is the joy and presence of God alive in your heart? In this homily, Bishop DeGrood explains how it is possible to be filled with the joy of the Lord even in the midst of hardship and reminds us that we are called to rejoice at all times and entrust ourselves to God and to live in union with him.

In an unjust world, we can take confidence in our Lord who is perfectly just. In this homily, Bishop DeGrood reminds us of God's justice and encourages us to grow in the cardinal virtue of justice so we may treat those around us with the love of God, and rid our hearts of anything preventing us from loving others as God loves us.

On this first weekend of November where we remember the faithful departed, especially the souls in purgatory, Bishop reminds us that we are always in need of purification in this life and that we are not ready for heaven... yet.

The Lord hears the cry of the poor. He hears the cry of those living in poverty, and of those who are poor in spirit. This weekend in his homily, Bishop reflected on how we are called to hear the cry of the poor and to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them, but we are also to remember our own poverty and need for the Lord.

There is an ongoing battle raging for life. A battle over the protection or destruction of life. This weekend in his homily, Bishop reflected on the ways life is under attack, from the unborn, sick and the elderly. But we are not without hope! Bishop also reminds us that the people of God are called to be like Aaron and Hur, who held up the arms of Moses, and support and stand beside our leaders fighting to defend and protect life.

Are you struggling in your faith? Does it feel like the fire for your faith has started to go out? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reminds us that sometimes God challenges us in ways that require us to stir the fire of our faith so it can grow into an ever stronger passion and steadfast faith.

Are you disheartened by all the evil in the world? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reminded us that evil is overcome by good, and how humility and putting others before oneself combats evil. Never forget God will triumph in the end.

Do you wonder if you will make it through the narrow gate to heaven? Do you wonder how to make it through the narrow gate? This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how choosing to follow Jesus and have a personal relationship with him will lead us to heaven.

Do you feel like you're in a deep cistern and not sure how things will get better? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reflected on the difficulties and uncertainties of life and the importance of keeping our eyes on Jesus in the midst of struggles. In this homily, Bishop also reminds us that when we keep our eyes on Jesus he will give us everything we need, even in the darkest and most difficult struggles.

As human beings, we love pleasure and hate pain. We also love to have power over things and others, and we wonder why God doesn't think like we do and do things the way we want. Does any of this sound familiar? This weekend in his homily, Bishop explains where these desires come from, and why we should humble ourselves like Jesus and surrender our desires to God.

Has your understanding of justice changed over your life? Did you once see justice as others owing you everything, or doing what you want? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reminds us that justice is a gift that is to be given what is owed to another. For example, it is just and right for us to give God his due honor, glory and praise at the Mass each Sunday, and to allow God's justice to flow through us on to others and be instruments of God's love.

Are you afraid to place your hope and trust in the Lord? Maybe you feel like the hope you have is running out. This weekend in his homily, Bishop reminds us that God is hope, and that hope does not disappoint. But hope requires us to stretch and reach for God, like roots in a tree yearning for water. It is in going beyond ourselves and our trusting the Lord that we will be led to the source of life.

Do you struggle to ignore the voice inside you telling you that you aren't capable or aren't good enough to share your faith, teach religious education or have a holy marriage? This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how spiritual inadequacy is a barrier to us growing in holiness and allowing God to fill us with the graces we need. Rather than allowing the devil to affirm our inadequacies, Bishop encouraged us to look to the example of Sts. Peter and Paul and rely on the angels, and above all God, in overcoming feelings of inadequacy.

As citizens of heaven, we are endowed with graces given to us at our baptism to receive and treat others with respect and dignity. This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how justice and mercy are guiding virtues for enacting policies regarding illegal immigration.

Who is Jesus really? Through the process of conversion and understanding, we can understand who he is and be sanctified through the sacraments of his Church.

We are God's beloved. Unlike every other creature, we as human beings are made in the image and likeness of God. This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how blessed we are to be made in God's image, and that Jesus willingly died for us.

Do you struggle to rejoice in the Lord despite the struggles of life? It can be difficult to rejoice in the Lord in hard times, but it is possible. This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how God wants us to be filled with joy, even in the midst of the hardships, difficulties and disappointments of life.

Do you have a place in your heart for Jesus to settle into? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reminds us how Advent is a time to prepare a space in our hearts for Jesus, and to be vigilant and diligent for the coming of our savior.

Are you ready to stand before the Lord? As our liturgical year comes to a close, we hear about the end of time. Are we ready? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reminds us of the importance of preparing our souls for death and purifying our souls, looking to the example of the saints who have gone before us. May we put aside the things of this world, and pursue the Lord and allow him to purify and prepare our souls for eternal life.

God dwells in sacred spaces. In our beautiful cathedral and in the temple of our hearts. This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained the importance of giving to God out of our poverty, and allowing him to work and dwell within our heart so that we may receive God's grace. Will you give God your poverty and trust that he will provide?

Do you struggle to be steadfast in your faith? This weekend in his homily, Bishop shared how an unexpected conversation inspired him in this man's steadfastness in faith. Still inspired, Bishop encouraged us to be steadfast in our faith and in doing what is right no matter how difficult it may be.

Did you know God wants to fill you with spiritual graces? Being filled with these graces will allow you to live a happy, healthy and holy life. This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how the virtues of wisdom and prudence call for good things, and allow us to see and know what is good. When we have these virtues, we are able to go out into the world as ambassadors of God to promote the good and protect others.

What does it mean to have a happy, healthy and holy marriage? This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how pouring one's self out for the good of the other, and receiving that same self-sacrificing love from your spouse, is what marital love looks like. But in order to give self sacrificing love, one must receive charity, or God's love. We are reminded that until we receive God's love, we cannot love others properly.

As a baptized Catholic, your prayers and sacrifices have spiritual power. You have the spirit of God alive within you, which gives you the grace to teach and share the Good News of God. And because you have been baptized in Christ you have the power to govern, to govern your life and advocate for others. Through your baptism you are a priest, prophet and king. This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how your voice makes a difference in protecting the lives and well-being of others and your responsibility to protect and advocate for the innocent and vulnerable.

Are you free? Have you opened yourself to God's grace and the freedom that comes only from his grace? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reflected on the freedom that comes from complete and total surrender to God, and how he was reminded of this gift from an unlikely source.

As a child, did you like to pick and choose what you wanted to eat? Looking back can you see how your parents knew better than you did? This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how we tend to pick and choose what we believe in our faith and sometimes oppose our heavenly Father who knows best. To help us better understand the Church's teaching on hard issues, Bishop encourages us all to cling to the fullness of Scripture and Sacred Tradition so we may better understand the Lord and trust that he knows what is best for us.

Have you opened your heart to God? Do you allow him to fill your heart with overflowing graces? This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how allowing God to move within our hearts allows us to know we are loved by God, fall more deeply in love with God and to love more fully the people in our lives.

Have you ever thought of the Eucharist as the love feast of heaven? This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained how adoring our Lord in the Eucharist satisfies the deepest parts of our hearts and gives us a foretaste of heaven.

Our world is starving for the truth. This weekend in his homily, Bishop explained the importance of sharing the truth. Not only is our world starving to hear the truth, people are asking to be told the truth, even about difficult issues on faith and morals. Bishop also reminded us that true love is charity, and love speaks the truth. Go out into the world and share the truth in love.

Do you celebrate your citizenship in God like you celebrate your citizenship as an American? This past weekend Bishop reminded us of the incredible gift we have in the inheritance of heaven as baptized sons and daughters of God. And as baptized Christians, we are called to share the Good News with others so that souls searching for true freedom may find it in the Lord.