I think people are leaving the Catholic church because being Catholic made them less happy. But they were thinking of happiness in terms of self-indulgence. There are forms of happiness that don’t disappoint. These are rooted in self-control.

Pilgrim Priest

This Kind of Happiness Only Christians Can Experience | #1449

Jesus is leading home to the heavenly kingdom all who have heard his call and followed him. We gather at Sunday Mass to experience ongoing encounter with God's love and truth that brings us into wholeness and communion. Keep calling for Jesus!

What Does He See When Jesus Opens His Eyes? | #1448

Which better describes you — the three S’s or the three C’s? Consumers excel at comparing, competing, and complaining. Stewards are famous for their willingness to serve, suffer, and sacrifice.

How to Grab a Spot at the Top | #1447

What can our scripture readings teach us about stewardship? Marriage is a shared stewardship. The two become "one flesh", sharing everything with one another, and together exercise a stewardship of God's children. These are God’s greatest gifts.

Stewards of Creation and Human Life | #1446

How would your life be different if you were able to live from your true identity as a child of God, temple of the Holy Spirit, and a part of the Body of Christ? Damascus Road Project loves trafficked women into their true identity.

Jesus Has a Message for Pimps | #1445

Life begins at conception and that every child is a gift from God. Many parents nowadays don't want God to give them many of these gifts. Then we turn around and pay doctors and scientists or surrogate moms so we can buy ourselves a “gift.”

Receiving One (More) Child | #1444

You don't have to look at every religion to find the true one, you just first have to answer this question: Is Jesus who he says he is? Jesus made a claim that no other founder of a major religion has ever made. And it means something for your life.

To Know the True Religion, You Must Answer This Question | #1443

When working with foreign priests, I have learned that a "Yes" does not mean he has understood. I also need to not only listen to him, but try and truly understand. Let us pray that we can not only hear God, but also listen and understand.

Hear, Listen, and Understand | #1442

Our external actions should show what is in our hearts. When there is a disconnect, the heart is the most important part. God wants to be with his people. Following his law leads to clean hands and hearts. From clean hearts flow clean actions.

This Is the Reason Why God's Law Exists | #1441

Why have people left the Catholic Church? Because they want to be happy! Being Catholic gets in the way of having the things I want to have and doing the things I want to do. And it ends up revealing to us our heart’s deepest desire.

The Surprise Best Part of My Summer Vacation | #1440

Catholics have started to lose a sense of God's presence in the Eucharist. But first we lost a sense of the sacramentality of the whole world. The Eucharist gives us sense of meaning and purpose and reminds us that we are not alone.

The Interpretive Key that Unlocks the Meaning of Everything | #1439

We, too, are well-fed slaves! We are always hungry for more. Only Jesus can satisfy the deep hungers in the human heart. This is why Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist. When I allow Jesus to be the master, I find that I am truly free. 

Jesus Offers to Satisfy Your Hunger | #1438

I notice three lessons from the multiplication of the five loaves and the two fish. First, we are hungry. Second, Jesus sees you and knows the desires of your heart. Third, learn what to do with the little you have when it is not enough.

You Don't Realize How Hungry You Are | #1437

Bad leaders confuse and scatter. Good leadership leads to clarity, unity, and peace. We see Jesus leading through the National Eucharistic Congress. I have three suggestions for how to follow your Good Shepherd more closely.

Bad Leadership is Not a New Problem | #1436

Jesus sends out missionaries and he intentionally prevents them from relying on themselves. They are equipped with their true identity and also with the help of a fellow Christian. We, too, are always tempted to fall back on self-reliance. Repent!﻿

Shake Off the Dust of Self-Reliance | #1435

Have you thought sermons were boring? Think again as Fr. Joel unpacks the word of God for today’s audience. Fresh, local, and live takes on the Gospel for our world. A new homily every Sunday.

hubhopper

Pilgrim Priest

hubhopper