In Sermons: showing 976-990 of 1,305

Seeds, Part I Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 23, 2013

Jesus was the seed that died so that we might live; we too are called to die to self so that others may live.

Monday of Holy Week 2013 Seeds 1 Two of the privileges given to deacons in this diocese is the ability to preside at baptisms and wake services. What is striking to me every time is the use of this psalm 27, this psalm which begins this first day of three at the head of Holy Week. “I ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-24

Denomination: Catholic

Why Did Jesus Have To Die? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 16, 2013

Jesus had to die because He was fulfilling the covenant promise made to our father in faith, Abraham.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion 2013 One of the great questions Christians ask, once they understand the true horror of Jesus’s death on the cross, is “why did Jesus have to die?” Yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, but why such a gruesome ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

They Know Not What They Do Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 16, 2013

The horror of living a life of willful ignorance leads to enslavement to passions and sin.

Monday of 5th Week in Lent 2013 Gaudium et Spes “Vos autem nescitis.” “But you do not know.” These words of Jesus in today’s Gospel reverberate through the Gospel of St. John. Over and over again Jesus tells the Jews–and, by extension, us–that we do not ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-20

Denomination: Catholic

We've Tried It All Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 11, 2013

Only Jesus, acting through the ministry of the Church, can fill the gaping hole in our hearts.

Fifth Sunday of Lent 2013 “We’ve Tried it All” “We’ve tried it all,” haven’t we? Our culture certainly has, and many of us have tried to reach fulfillment with everything the world has offered us. Maybe we started out with the high-priced commercials ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Your Child Will Live Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 9, 2013

Wisdom gently attracts the mind of humans to a quest and a love for what is true and good through the beautiful. The modern mind no less than the ancient mind needs God.

Monday of 4th Week in Lent 2013 Gaudium et Spes Most commentators–even those who wrote in the first millennium–believe that John’s Gospel was the last one written. The historian Eusebius quotes Clement of Alexandria as saying that John, aware of the other three Gospels, wrote a ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-54

Denomination: Catholic

Laetare, Rejoice Jerusalem Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 2, 2013

We are challenged by God to rejoice. That doesn't always mean "enjoy," but if we repent of sin we will be forgiven gladly by God and have room to rejoice.

Fourth Sunday in Lent 2013 Rejoice! “Laetare, Jerusalem! Rejoice, Jerusalem, and gather round, all you who love her. Rejoice gladly, those who were sorrowful; exult and be refreshed with motherly consolation.” These words of today’s beautiful Introit antiphon remind us that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Catholic

Adapt The Delivery, Not The Message Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 2, 2013

The stark message of the Gospel must be delivered in ways that will be heard by modern humans.

Monday of 3rd Week in Lent Gaudium et Spes Adapting the Delivery, Not the Message Those commentators who are not very familiar with the documents of Vatican II, but who count themselves experts on the “spirit” of Vatican II frequently see the Council as creating a break with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:24-30

Denomination: Catholic

Falling Towers Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 2, 2013

Everyone must face the problem of evil; Jesus tells us to be faithful to our call.

3rd Sunday of Lent 2013 Despite the fact that nobody but academic researchers remember it, November of 1641 was one of the most important months in history. In that month, just before the English Civil War broke out, the first issue of what would be called a “newspaper” appeared in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Catholic

Promote The Good; Proscribe The Evil Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 23, 2013

The call of Christ not to judge, not to condemn, is directed at our relationships with other humans, not evil actions themselves.

Monday of 2nd Week in Lent 2013 Gaudium et Spes Today’s Scriptures are most appropriate as follow-ups to the Gospel of Transfiguration we heard on Sunday. Jesus is seen on Mount Tabor conversing with Moses, the great lawgiver, and Elijah, the greatest prophet. Jesus has always been seen by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:36-38

Denomination: Catholic

Change And Transfiguration Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 22, 2013

Change is necessary for every Christian to become like Jesus and Mary; it is essential, but it is seldom pleasant.

Second Sunday of Lent 2013 Lenten Series Change. One of my famous Christians once told me that the hard part about being a disciple of Jesus Christ is that we are always having to change. To be more like Jesus and Mary, we have to give up habits that keep us from them–gossip, overeating, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Denomination: Catholic

You Who Dwell In The Shelter Of The Most High Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 17, 2013

The triple temptation of Christ speaks to the triple temptation of every human person, and the triple call of the Church to fast, pray and give alms.

First Sunday of Lent 2013 Lenten Focus The haunting strains of Psalm 91 fill the Word of God we sing and hear today: they are singing of Jesus Christ, the victor over Satan’s temptations, but they are also singing out in hope of you and me. We are living in a world that bombards us with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Catholic

Love Your Neighbor As Yourself Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 16, 2013

The council fathers get specific about how we can help the poor.

Monday of 1st Week in Lent 2013 Gaudium et Spes You Shall Love Your Neighbor One of the great heresies of modern time is a subtle one based on the notion of sola fide or “faith alone.” That was Martin Luther’s great mistake, of course. The only place in the NT where we read ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Catholic

The Dignity Of Man Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 9, 2013

The dignity of man affirmed by God in Scripture contrasts with the attitude of ancient and modern pagan cultures

Monday of 5th Week in Course February 11, 2013 Our Lady of Lourdes Gaudium et Spes “As many as touched the fringe of His garment were healed.” On this World Day of the Sick, it is particularly appropriate to look at the healing power and history of Jesus as it is displayed in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:53-56

Denomination: Catholic

I Am A Sinful Man Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 9, 2013

The problems of our life are 1% external; 99% internal. Lent is a time for repentance, avoiding evil and doing good.

Fifth Sunday in Course 10 February 2013 “I am a sinful man” The liturgical calendar used with the Extraordinary form of the Mass calls this Sunday “Quinquagesima.” The meaning from the Latin is “the fifty days.” It’s about fifty days until Easter. Today ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

The Banquet, The Summit Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 1, 2013

Over and over in the Gospels we see the work of Christ culminate in a celebratory banquet, even in the healing of the little girl.

Monday of 5th Week in Course Feb 4 2012 Sacrosanctum Concilium The story of Jesus’s raising of the little girl, the daughter of Jairus, is one of the most touching in the Holy Gospels. The incident may have happened in Capernaum, St. Peter’s hometown, and it involved one of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Catholic