Fr Jim Chern's Homilies

Forgiveness is one of those things that sounds beautiful—until we actually have someone to forgive. Jesus tells Peter not simply to forgive, but to forgive without keeping score. That doesn’t mean pretending the hurt didn’t happen, excusing what was wrong, or allowing someone to keep hurting us. It means refusing to let another person’s sin have the final word in our lives. What if one of the most convincing witnesses to our faith is what people see when Christians have every reason to become bitter, angry, or vengeful—and choose mercy instead? “You hurt me. But you don’t get to own me.” A homily for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time on Matthew 18:21–35, Romans 14:7–9, and Sirach 27:30–28:7. Read the homily at Homily on the Spot: https://homilyonthespot.com/

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, the memories still feel remarkably close. I was 27 years old, only two years into the priesthood, serving at a parish less than 15 miles from the Twin Towers. We could see them burning. We heard the military jets overhead. And in the weeks and months that followed came funeral Masses—including for two young men, ages 25 and 29, whose names I’ve never forgotten. But remembering 9/11 raises a question deeper than simply, “Where were you?” Where are you going? Today’s Scriptures remind us that this world was never meant to be our final home. St. Paul tells us to “run so as to win,” and Jesus challenges us to open our eyes and examine our own lives. Remembering how fragile life is isn’t meant to make us afraid. It should make us awake—and unwilling to waste the life God has given us. Based on 1 Corinthians 9:16–19, 22–27; Psalm 84; and Luke 6:39–42. Read the homily at Homily on the Spot: https://homilyonthespot.com/2026/09/11/9-11-where-are-you-going/

What’s the opposite of love? Most of us would probably say hate. But maybe there’s something quieter — and sometimes even more dangerous: “I don’t care.” “Not my responsibility.” “Not my problem.” In this homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Jim Chern reflects on Jesus’ challenging teaching about confronting someone who has gone astray — and the difference between correcting someone because we want to win an argument and speaking because we don’t want to lose a brother or sister. Christian love isn’t simply being nice. It doesn’t mean fixing everybody, tolerating destructive behavior, or ignoring necessary boundaries. But it does mean refusing to become indifferent. Because Jesus never looks at another human being and says: “Lost cause.” The Cross is the ultimate opposite of indifference: God saying, You matter too much to Me for Me to abandon you. 🎧 NOT MY PROBLEM Homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Ezekiel 33:7–9 | Romans 13:8–10 | Matthew 18:15–20 Read the homily at HomilyOnTheSpot.com and follow Fr. Jim Chern’s Homilies wherever you listen to podcasts. #catholic #homilies

THE JESUS WHO FOLLOWS ME | Catholic Homily You can believe in Jesus. Love Jesus. Call Him Lord. And still spend your life trying to lead Him. In this homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Jim Chern reflects on one of the most jarring moments in the Gospel: only moments after Peter correctly identifies Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” he begins telling Jesus what His mission should—and should not—look like. Peter wants Jesus. He just wants Jesus according to Peter’s plan. And that raises an uncomfortable question for every Christian: Who’s leading whom? We can ask Jesus to bless our plans, our relationships, our ambitions and our picture of the future—but discipleship means leaving Him enough room to interrupt those plans, redirect us, challenge us, and sometimes ask us to surrender something we never expected to give up. Because if Jesus can never tell me no, never redirect my plans, never challenge me, and never ask me to let something go… “I’ve created a Jesus who follows me. And that Jesus cannot save me.” 🎧 Listen and reflect: What might Jesus be asking you to surrender—and are you willing to let Him lead? 📖 Read the full homily: https://homilyonthespot.com/2026/08/28/the-jesus-who-follows-me/ If this homily speaks to you, please like, repost, share it with someone, and follow Fr. Jim Chern’s Homilies on SoundCloud so you don’t miss future reflections. Scripture: Matthew 16:21–27 • Jeremiah 20:7–9 • Romans 12:1–2 #Catholic #CatholicHomily #Homily #Jesus #CatholicFaith #Christianity #Discipleship #Gospel #SundayMass #Faith

Everyone has an opinion about Jesus. But Jesus doesn't ask Peter what everyone else thinks. He asks: “Who do you say that I am?” And if Peter's answer is actually true — if Jesus really is the Christ — then Christianity can't simply be one part of our lives. Gospel: Matthew 16:13–20 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time homilyonthespot.com

Mass Readings for 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 16, 2026 Reading 1, Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Reading 2, Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 Gospel, Matthew 15:21-28

Mass Readings for 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 9, 2026 Reading 1, First Kings 19:9, 11-13 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 Reading 2, Romans 9:1-5 Gospel, Matthew 14:22-33

Mass Readings for 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 2, 2026 Reading 1, Isaiah 55:1-3 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 145:8-9, 15-16, 17-18 Reading 2, Romans 8:35, 37-39 Gospel, Matthew 14:13-21

Mass Readings for 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 26, 2026 Reading 1, First Kings 3:5, 7-12 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 Reading 2, Romans 8:28-30 Gospel, Matthew 13:44-52

Mass Readings for 16th Sunday on Ordinary Time - July 19, 2026 Reading 1, Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 Reading 2, Romans 8:26-27 Gospel, Matthew 13:24-43

Mass Readings for 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time -July 12, 2026 Reading 1, Isaiah 55:10-11 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14 Gospel, Matthew 13:1-23 Reading 2, Romans 8:18-23

Mass Readings for 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 5, 2026 Reading 1, Zechariah 9:9-10 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14 Reading 2, Romans 8:9, 11-13 Gospel, Matthew 11:25-30

Mass Readings for 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 28, 2026 Reading 1, Second Kings 4:8-11, 14-16 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 Reading 2, Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Gospel, Matthew 10:37-42

Mass Readings for 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 21, 2026 Reading 1, Jeremiah 20:10-13 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 Reading 2, Romans 5:12-15 Gospel, Matthew 10:26-33

Mass Readings for 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 14, 2026 Reading 1, Exodus 19:2-6 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 100:1-2, 3, 5 Reading 2, Romans 5:6-11 Gospel, Matthew 9:36-10:8

Mass Readings Reading 1, Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 Reading 2, First Corinthians 10:16-17 Gospel, John 6:51-58

Mass Readings for Sunday May 31, 2026 Reading 1, Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9 Responsorial Psalm, Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 Reading 2, Second Corinthians 13:11-13 Gospel, John 3:16-18

Mass Readings for Pentecost Sunday - May 24, 2026 Reading 1, Acts 2:1-11 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 Reading 2, Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 Gospel, John 20:19-23

Mass Readings for The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord May 17, 2026 Reading 1, Acts 1:1-11 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 Reading 2, Ephesians 1:17-23 Gospel, Matthew 28:16-20

Mass Readings for Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 10, 2026 Reading 1, Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 Reading 2, First Peter 3:15-18 Gospel, John 14:15-21

Mass Readings for Fifth Sunday of Easter - May 3, 2026 Reading 1, Acts 6:1-7 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 Reading 2, First Peter 2:4-9 Gospel, John 14:1-12

Mass Readings for 4th Sunday of Easter -April 26, 2026 Reading 1, Acts 2:14, 36-41 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6 Reading 2, First Peter 2:20-25 Gospel, John 10:1-10

Mass Readings for Third Sunday of Easter - April 19, 2026 Reading 1, Acts 2:14, 22-28 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 Reading 2, First Peter 1:17-21 Gospel, Luke 24:13-35

NO ONE SPECIAL - Homily 2nd Sunday of Easter - 4/12/26 by Fr Jim Chern

Mass Readings for Easter Sunday April 5, 2026 Reading 1, Acts 10:34, 37-43 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Reading 2, Colossians 3:1-4 Gospel, John 20:1-9

Mass Readings for Palm Sunday March 29, 2026 Reading 1, Isaiah 50:4-7 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 Reading 2, Philippians 2:6-11 Gospel, Matthew 26:14-27:66

Mass Reading for Fifth Sunday of Lent -March 22, 2026 Reading 1, Ezekiel 37:12-14 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Reading 2, Romans 8:8-11 Gospel, John 11:1-45

Mass Readings for Fourth Sunday of Lent March 15, 2026 Reading 1, First Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6 Reading 2, Ephesians 5:8-14 Gospel, John 9:1-41

Mass Reading for Third Sunday of Lent - March 8, 2026 Reading 1, Exodus 17:3-7 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 Reading 2, Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 Gospel, John 4:5-42

Mass Readings for Second Sunday in Lent - March 1, 2026 Reading 1, Genesis 12:1-4 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 Reading 2, Timothy 1:8-10 Gospel, Matthew 17:1-9

Mass Readings for First Sunday of Lent - February 22, 2026 Reading 1, Genesis 2:7-9,3:1-7 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17 Reading 2, Romans 5:12-19 Gospel, Matthew 4:1-11

Mass Readings for Ash Wednesday February 18, 2026 Reading 1, Joel 2:12-18 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17 Reading 2, Second Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Gospel, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Mass Readings for Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 15, 2026 Reading 1, Sirach 15:15-20 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34 Reading 2, First Corinthians 2:6-10 Gospel, Matthew 5:17-37

Mass Readings for Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 8, 2026 Reading 1, Isaiah 58:7-10 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Reading 2, Corinthians 2:1-5 Gospel, Matthew 5:13-16

Mass Readings for 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 1, 2026 Reading 1, Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 Reading 2, Corinthians 1:26-31 Gospel, Matthew 5:1-12

Mass Readings for Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 25, 2026 Reading 1, Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14 Reading 2, Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Gospel, Matthew 4:12-23

Mass Readings for Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - January 18, 2026 Reading 1, Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 Reading 2, Corinthians 1:1-3 Gospel, John 1:29-34

Mass Readings for the Baptism of the Lord - Sunday January 11, 2026 Reading 1, Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 Reading 2, Acts 10:34-38 Gospel, Matthew 3:13-17

“Most people get that our hearts are restless for God. But this part changes everything: God’s heart is restless for us, too. He’s searching. He’s coming after you. Right now. Epiphany isn’t just us looking for Him—He’s already on the way. TODAY’S HOMILY: SEEN SOUGHT AND CHANGED: https://homilyonthespot.com/ Mass Readings for today: Reading 1, Isaiah 60:1-6 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 Reading 2, Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Gospel, Matthew 2:1-12

WEARY - BUT HOLDING ON (New Years 2026) -1-1-26 by Fr Jim Chern

Mass Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family - Sunday December 28, 2025 Reading 1, Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 Reading 2, Colossians 3:12-21 Gospel, Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

LIGHTSABERS IN THE MANGER - Homily for Christmas Day 12-25-25 by Fr Jim Chern

Mass Readings for 4th Sunday of Advet - December 21, 2025 Reading 1, Isaiah 7:10-14 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 Reading 2, Romans 1:1-7 Gospel, Matthew 1:18-24

Mass Readings for Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2025 Reading 1, Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 Reading 2, James 5:7-10 Gospel, Matthew 11:2-11

Mass Readings for Second Sunday of Advent - December 7, 2025 Reading 1, Isaiah 11:1-10 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Reading 2, Romans 15:4-9 Gospel, Matthew 3:1-12

Mass Readings for First Sunday of Advent -November 30, 2025 Reading 1, Isaiah 2:1-5 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Reading 2, Romans 13:11-14 Gospel, Matthew 24:37-44

CHRIST IS KING – Solemnity or Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe - Sunday November 23, 2025 Mass Readings Reading 1, Second Samuel 5:1-3 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5 Reading 2, Colossians 1:12-20 Gospel, Luke 23:35-43

WHEN NOTHING FEELS SECURE – Homily 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time November 16, 2025 Mass Readings for 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time November 16, 2025 Reading 1, Malachi 3:19-20 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 Reading 2, Second Thessalonians 3:7-12 Gospel, Luke 21:5-19

Mass Readings for the FEAST OF THE DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA OF ST JOHN LATERAN - Sunday November 9, 2025 Reading 1, Genesis 28:11-18 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 84:3, 4, 5-6, 8, 11 Reading 2, First Corinthians 3:9-13, 16-17 Gospel, Luke 19:1-10

UNFINISHED LOVE - All Souls Day - 11-2-25 by Fr Jim Chern