Making Friends With The Lord Jesus

Like St. Matthias, we are chosen not by chance but by God’s love. Our vocation is rooted in His call to remain in His love and to live it out through sacrificial love. True joy comes when we embrace this calling: to love one another as Christ has loved us.

I reflect on the Gospel of John and the significance of the Holy Spirit as the "Spirit of Truth," guiding believers toward a deeper understanding of faith. I connect the divine pedagogy of revealing truth in manageable doses to the life of St. Josemaría and the simple sacrifices of the visionaries of Fatima. Central to the discussion is the unity of the Blessed Trinity, illustrating how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in perfect harmony to reveal wisdom. I explain the development of doctrine, comparing Christian revelation to a "deposit" that remains constant yet matures as the Church grows in insight. Ultimately, I encourage a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit to gain clarity, correct errors, and navigate life's complexities.

I reflect on the spiritual significance of the upcoming Pentecost, emphasizing the need for believers to prepare their souls for the Holy Spirit. He recounts his own journey to the priesthood and ordination under Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, while urging prayers for a new group of deacons. Using the metaphor of an empty bag, he explains that individuals must practice detachment from worldly distractions and grudges to create space for divine grace. I interpret the Gospel of John, noting that Christ’s departure was a necessary prerequisite for the arrival of the Advocate. Ultimately. I  highlight how the Holy Spirit reveals moral truths and helps the faithful overcome sinful attachments and judgmental attitudes.

I discuss the transformative power of Easter, emphasizing that its spirit of joy and confidence should extend far beyond the liturgical season. I highlight how the Holy Spirit serves as a source of profound inner peace, affirming the essential truth that every person is a creative expression of God’s love. By referencing the good thief's forgiveness and Father Joseph Muzquiz's loyalty, I illustrate that absolute trust in God is the antidote to sin and suffering. Even in the face of persecution or personal failure, believers are encouraged to remain spiritually abandoned to God’s will rather than succumbing to fear. Ultimately, the speaker argues that divine filiation—knowing one is a child of God—provides the necessary strength to navigate life’s challenges with unshakeable faith.

Today, I return from a medical recovery and share a homily focused on the Sixth Sunday of Easter and the upcoming Pentecost. I use the metaphor of pregnancy to describe the growing anticipation for the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that the Church prepares believers for a new, personal divine presence. The text distinguishes between the Son, who is generated through divine knowledge or Logos, and the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the mutual love between the Father and the Son. By comparing the Holy Spirit to a second advocate, the speaker encourages his audience to foster a sense of spiritual hunger and active expectation. I conclude by highlighting the Virgin Mary's role as a model for receiving this divine power, which ultimately aims to transform believers into the likeness of Christ.

Today’s reflection focuses on the Gospel of St. John, highlighting Christ’s identity as the way, the truth, and the life. I encourage listeners to avoid unnecessary worry by maintaining the spiritual simplicity of a child who trusts in God’s protection. By staying within the Church's guidance, individuals can find safety and avoid the insecurities and rivalries that often trouble the human heart. The text warns against manipulating faith for personal gain or viewing others as threats to one’s own success. Ultimately, the message emphasizes that true peace is found by following Jesus, whose life and teachings serve as the foundational map for reaching the Father.

In this homily, I explore the theological relationship between Jesus and God the Father as presented in the Gospel of John. I explain the concept of the Logos, or the Word, as God’s perfect and singular self-understanding that exists as the second person of the Trinity. Unlike human knowledge, which relies on observation of reality, I suggest that God’s knowledge is creative and precedes all existence. By examining the dialogue between Jesus and the apostle Philip, the homily emphasizes that seeing the Son is equivalent to seeing the Father because they share the same divine nature. The reflection concludes by highlighting Jesus’s role as a heavenly intercessor who empowers his followers to perform great works through faith.

My homily today reflects on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, emphasizing how manual labor and human ingenuity fulfill a divine vocation. I highlight St. Joseph's example as a craftsman to demonstrate that work is an essential part of human nature, allowing individuals to solve problems and serve society. Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew, I describe how Jesus faced rejection and skepticism from his own community in Nazareth. The townspeople were offended by his wisdom, a reaction attributed to envy and a lack of faith rather than an appreciation for his miraculous deeds. Ultimately, the passage encourages listeners to maintain a supernatural outlook and avoid the defensive pride that prevents one from recognizing divine grace in others.

This homily features a reflection on St. John’s Gospel during a spiritual retreat, focusing specifically on the events of the Last Supper. The narrative emphasizes Christ's humility and the sobering reality that even those close to God, such as Judas Iscariot, can betray through human weakness. By exploring the concept of divine instruments, I explain that followers are called to represent Jesus on earth, sharing in both his authority and his suffering. This responsibility requires a deep union with God and a well-formed conscience to ensure one promotes the divine will rather than personal interests. Ultimately, the interconnectedness of mission is highlighted, where receiving a messenger of faith is equivalent to receiving Christ and the Father.

I reflect on the spiritual necessity of divine guidance as I prepare for a personal religious retreat. Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew, the message emphasizes adopting a childlike disposition to truly understand God’s will and avoid the pitfalls of self-centeredness. The speaker highlights Saint Catherine of Siena as a model of integrity, praising her ability to speak the truth plainly, without resorting to deceptive language or euphemisms. By remaining faithful and simple, believers are encouraged to act as instruments of the Creator rather than relying solely on their own limited wisdom. Ultimately, the text suggests that while individuals must use their personal initiative, true peace is found by submitting to the gentle authority of Christ.