In Sermons: showing 1,186-1,200 of 1,305

A Company's Obligation Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 16, 2010

A company has more social obligation than to make a profit.

January 18, 2010 Caritas in Veritate "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:16-23

Denomination: Catholic

The Essential Character Of Gift In Relationships Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 9, 2010

Whether in a family or in society, there must be room for gracious gift, not just equal value exchange, even for the sake of justice.

January 10, 2010 Caritas in Veritate We can only imagine the look that poor Hannah gave Elkanah after he said “why are you crying. Am I not worth more to you than ten sons?” In Israel, as in many cultures today, having a son is economic security in old age. The sons had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

The O-My-God Moment

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 9, 2010

In silence we can listen to God and must if we are to experience a life-changing epiphany.

Epiphany 2010 The O-my-God Moment January 10, 2010 I’m not a big fan of reality TV. I don’t really know who Simon Cowell is and generally think that the Oprahization of entertainment has been a move in the wrong direction. But I do catch a couple of moments each week of that show ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:7-11

Denomination: Catholic

Our Baptismal Mission: Goodness, Beauty, Truth

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 7, 2010

If we are to minister to a world in need, we must give it what Jesus gave: goodness, beauty and truth

The Baptism of the Lord January 10 2010 The first thing we should do today is correct a Hollywood-produced misconception about John’s baptism. Many of us grew up watching one or the other movie in which Jesus was baptized, or a large group of Protestant Christians were baptized in a river, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:7-11

Denomination: Catholic

Every Economic Decision Has Moral Consequences Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 2, 2010

Our history shows the truth of the statement, every economic decision has moral consequences

January 4 2010 Caritas in Veritate St Elizabeth Ann Seton Yes, things are pretty bad today. But they could get worse, and today’s celebration and readings remind us that they have been worse. Jesus knew, with the arrest of John the Baptist, that time was short. He began urgently to preach the ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

New Year’s And The Way To God’s Kingdom

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 31, 2009

Force, violence and recession are all just external means to get attention, but the way to bring God’s kingdom begins with a conversion of heart.

New Year’s Homily Isaiah 4:2-3 The words from Isaiah today are the comforting part of a longer passage that I would like to quote in full. Isaiah is speaking for God, and talking about the day of judgement: Seven women will take hold of one man on that day, saying: “We will eat our own food and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 4:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

Filling The Holes--A Christmas Story

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 30, 2009

Jesus Christ can fill up the God-sized, God-shaped hole in any heart.

Homily for Wake Service One of the most popular films [of this season] is a little fifties vignette, A Christmas Story. In the plot, young Ralphie sets his heart on an air rifle for Christmas, and endures ridicule and scorn in his quest for this gift he believes will make him happy. In the end, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

Ethics Must Be Integrated Into Economic Activity Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 26, 2009

Just as the action of Herod and of abortionists shows the divorce of economics and ethics, so we must reintegrate ethics into economic activity, if we are to reclaim society for Christ

December 28, 2009 Feast of the Holy Innocents Caritas in Veritate The timeliness of the Pope’s encyclical, Charity in Truth, and its match to our Monday Scriptures is truly remarkable. Aristotle, himself an unbeliever, used mere reason to arrive at some remarkable truths. One of them is that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Catholic

Stephen’s Witness To The Jews, And Ours

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 26, 2009

We need to consider the early Church’s message to their elder brothers, the Jews, and our attitude of love for them today.

December 26, 2009 St. Stephen, protomartyr Once the Church of the first decade accepted the reality that the scandalous execution of the Messiah, Jesus, was really the beginning of the transformation of man into the obedient child of God, a new scandal occupied their attention. And so, with the ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

The Spirit Of Christmas Leaders

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 23, 2009

If we follow the wisdom of Isaiah, we will be effective leaders for good.

Christmas Eve December 24 2009 From the stump of Jesse Isaiah 11:1-3 The short reading from Isaiah we just heard is part of a longer passage that ends in a familiar passage: the reign of the king prophesied here will by ideal and idyllic. “Uprightness will be the belt around his waist, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

The Conscience Of An Economy Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 19, 2009

Not only commutative, but distributive and social justice must be part of development for the Christian

December 21, 2009 Caritas in Veritate There’s a great deal of jumping around in this week’s Scriptures, excitement not unlike that of children who are out of school for the week before Christmas. In fact, there are two different OT readings we can use today, and they both are full of ADHD action. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Catholic

We Can’t Make Up The Truth Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 12, 2009

Truth is neither planned, nor willed. It imposes itself on human beings.

December 14, 2009 St. John of the Cross Caritas in Veritate The conversation we overhear today between the chief priests and the elders is very instructive as we continue to reflect on the papal encyclical, Charity in Truth. When Jesus asks them whether John’s teaching was divinely inspired or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Catholic

Do We Really Need A Little Christmas?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 11, 2009

The promise of Christmas is a promise of happiness, but on God’s terms, not ours.

Third Sunday of Advent 2009 climb down the chimney; Put up the brightest string of lights I’ve ever seen. Slice up the fruitcake; It’s time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough. For we need a little music, Need a little laughter, Need a little singing Ringing through the rafter, And we need ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Catholic

The Astonishing Experience Of Gift Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 5, 2009

Mary is the opposite of Eve, totally open to the plan of God as Eve was closed in, and thus she was able to accept the Greatest Gift, Jesus Christ.

Immaculate Conception December 7-8, 2009 Caritas in Veritate “Charity in truth places man before the astonishing experience of gift.” (CV 34) These words of Pope Benedict from the encyclical begin a new section that is incredibly appropriate for the solemnity we celebrate today, the patronal ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9-20

Denomination: Catholic

Building A Culture With A Long-Term Charitable Viewpoint Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 21, 2009

We have a duty in charity to address issues of massive disparities in economic development and incomes.

November 23, 2009 Bl Miguel Pro Caritas in Veritate The Old Testament had particular contempt for those who oppressed widows and orphans. In a male-dominated society, where women were almost like property rather than equal partners in a marriage, being a widow, particularly a childless one, was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:1-4

Denomination: Catholic