Blessed are the poor in Spirit

To access the Doctrinal Homily Outline for Pentecost Sunday, click here then scroll down. Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting short reflections on Christ and one of his Beatitudes. The Beatitudes and Christ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus Christ […] Read more »

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Only a few of us Catholics have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and so are part of the hierarchical and sacramental priesthood whose offices are bishop, priest, and deacon. But every one of us, by nature of our Baptism, still has a share in Christ’s priesthood through the reality […] Read more »

Fifth Sunday of Lent

To access a full Doctrinal Homily Outline for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, based on Lectionary 34. click here. Central idea: Resurrection from the dead. Doctrine: Death and hope in our own resurrection. Practical application: A proper awareness of death. Read more »

Third Sunday of Lent

A complete Doctrinal Homily Outline for the Third Sunday of Lent (Lectionary 28) can be found here. The central idea is Christ the living water. The doctrine is our freedom to accept the Gospel. And the practical application is conforming our hearts to God’s will. Read more »

First Sunday of Lent

For a complete and revised Doctrinal Homily Outline for the Lectionary 22 readings for the First Sunday of Lent in Year A, click here. The central idea explored is God is merciful to sinners. The doctrine expounded is concupiscence and self-mastery. The practical application is a way to plan some […] Read more »

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For a full outline for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, click here. The central idea for Lectionary 75 comes from Our Lord’s words, “Light of the world,” which He was and his disciples are called to become. The doctrine is on the right to religious freedom and the social […] Read more »

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A complete outline of a salvific message, relevant Catholic doctrine, and a practical application, based on the Lectionary readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, can be found here. It is titled A Vocation to Beatitude. The central idea is the Beatitudes. The Catholic doctrine drawn from that […] Read more »

Writing isn’t speaking

Academic writing is a way of recording complex abstract ideas in a minimum of words. When we are reading these carefully chosen words, we can slow down our pace so that we can absorb them. Here is one example taken randomly from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 866. […] Read more »

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lectionary 67) are about the light and joy that Jesus Christ has brought into the world. For a full doctrinal homily outline based on these readings, click here. When it comes to our Catholic faith, there are two central truths I […] Read more »

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

To access a full Doctrinal Homily Outline for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, click here. The central idea this writer gleaned from the lectionary readings is that Jesus Christ is the glorious Son of God who saves and sanctifies us. From his conception and through every event of his […] Read more »