Echoes of St. John: Homilies and Reflections
Rásarupplýsingar
Echoes of St. John: Homilies and Reflections
Reflections and homilies rooted in the Gospel of John and the wisdom of the Church, helping you walk the journey of faith. Join Fr. Michael, a priest of the Community of St. John in New Zealand, as he unpacks the Word of God, explores the depths of grace, and leads you to encounter Christ, the Word...
Nýlegir þættir
228 þættir
A Legacy of Love, Not Possessions – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
In a time marked by grief and farewells, Fr. Michael reflects on the true measure of a life well lived. Drawing from recent funerals and the Gospel pa...
Teach Us to Pray from the Heart – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
In this tender homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the death of a beloved parishioner and invites us to rediscover the realism and intimacy of prayer. Dra...
One Thing is Necessary: Contemplation in the Heart of Busyness
In this moving homily on the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38–42), Fr. Michael shares insights from a recent retreat with his fellow brothers, led...
Awareness, Courage, and Fidelity: The Samaritan’s Path to Love - 15th Sunday of OT
This Sunday, we encounter the Good Samaritan not as an idealised helper, but as a man with a quiet heart, courage in action, and a fidelity that sees...
Stay Sharp: The Mission Edge of Every Catholic - 14 Sunday of OT
Jesus sends the 72 out two by two — and he sends us too. In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the courage it takes to live and proclaim the Gospel...
The Trinity: The Secret God Reveals to His Friends
On this Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, Fr. Michael reflects on the deepest mystery of our faith—not a distant doctrine, but a lived reality. God is no...
Pentecost: Alive in the Spirit, Changing the Culture
On this Pentecost Sunday—marking five years since the birth of Holy Family Parish—Fr. Michael reflects on the explosive growth of the community and th...
The Ascension: Where Jesus Goes, We Follow
In this homily for the Ascension of the Lord, Fr. Michael reflects on the profound mystery of Christ’s return to the Father—not as a departure, but as...
“The Indwelling Word & Peace of Christ” – Gospel Commentary – 6th Sunday of Easter
In this special recording, Fr. Michael offers a deeper reflection on the Gospel for the 6th Sunday of Easter (John 14). He walks through the text vers...
“God Dwells Within You” – Homily – 6th Sunday of Easter
In this warm and accessible homily, Fr. Michael reflects on Jesus’ promise: “We will come to them and make our home with them.” Prayer is no longer ju...
“Love as I Have Loved You” – Homily – 5th Sunday of Easter
This Sunday, Fr. Michael preaches on the radical heart of the Gospel: Christ’s commandment to love as He has loved us. With the story of Michelle Dupp...
“Becoming a Lamb in the Lamb” – Homily – Good Shepherd Sunday
On Good Shepherd Sunday, Fr. Michael reflects deeply on the connection between being a lamb and becoming a shepherd. Sharing his personal vocation sto...
“Letting Go Like Peter” – Homily – 3rd Sunday of Easter
In this moving homily on one of his favourite Gospel passages, Fr. Michael reflects on Peter’s journey from control to surrender. Through the Risen Ch...
“Mercy: Justice Fulfilled in Love” – Homily – Divine Mercy Sunday
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, Fr. Michael reflects on the true meaning of mercy: not a denial of justice, but its fulfillment through love. Drawing fro...
“The Turning Point of Love” – Homily – Easter Sunday
In this powerful Easter homily, Fr. Michael proclaims the Resurrection of Jesus as the definitive turning point in history—and in our lives. He invite...
“Lose Yourself to Follow Christ” – Homily – Palm Sunday
In this Palm Sunday homily, Fr. Michael invites us into Holy Week by calling us to shift our gaze away from ourselves and fix it on Christ. He reflect...
Lazarus, Come Out: Christ’s Life is More Real Than Death – Homily – 5th Sunday of Lent (Year C – Scrutiny)
In this homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent, Fr. Michael reflects on the powerful moment when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. He asks us the essenti...
The Father’s Heart: Beyond Duty and Escape – Homily – 4th Sunday of Lent (Year C)
In this homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent (Year C), Fr. Michael reflects on the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son—or rather, the story of a fathe...
Justice, Mercy, and the Call to Bear Fruit – Homily – 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C)
In this homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C), we reflect on Jesus’ urgent call to repentance through the parable of the barren fig tree. Fr. Mic...
“The Weight of Glory: Embracing Love and Responsibility” - Homily - 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the Transfiguration and the meaning of “glory” as Christ reveals it—a glory that comes through love and self-g...
“Into the Desert: Listening to God This Lent” - Homily - 1st Sunday of Lent, Year C
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on Jesus’ forty days in the desert and the invitation for each of us to follow Him into that place of encounter....
“A Tree is Known by Its Fruits: Seeking the Heart of Christ” - Homily - 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on Jesus’ teaching that a tree is known by its fruits. He explores how we often misjudge ourselves, focusing on e...
“The Secret of Lent: Living in the Presence of God” - Homily - Ash Wednesday
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the Gospel’s call to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—not as outward displays but as acts of deep interiority....
“The Beatitudes: Belonging to God Alone” - Homily - 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
In this homily, Fr. Michael unpacks the radical nature of the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Luke. True happiness, he explains, is not found in wealth, s...
“Duc in Altum: The Maturity of Faith” - Homily - 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the call of Peter and the words of Jesus: “Put out into the deep.” (Duc in altum). He explores the maturation...
“Living a Life of Worship: Placing Everything on the Altar” - Homily - Presentation of the Lord
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple and how Mary lived interiorly of the liturgy. She offered her Son t...
“The Revolution of Grace: Transforming the World Through Christ” - Homily - 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the profound proclamation of Jesus in the Gospel. Though suffering and injustice remain, Christ’s mission brin...
“The Bride of Christ: A Joyful Covenant of Love” - Homily - 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the Gospel of the Wedding at Cana and the First Reading, revealing how Christ invites us into a profound, lovi...
“Baptism: A Seed of Glory and a Call to Virtue” - Homily - Baptism of the Lord, Year C
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the Baptism of the Lord, exploring its profound significance as adoption into God’s family and the beginning o...
“New Beginnings with God: Following Mary’s Yes” - Midnight Mass - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 2025
In this New Year’s homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the profound example of Mary, the Mother of God, who embraced an entirely new beginning by saying “...
“The Magi’s Journey: Wonder and the Search for God” - Homily - Epiphany 2025
In this homily for the Feast of the Epiphany, Fr. Michael reflects on the journey of the Magi, exploring what we know and don’t know about their histo...
"Advent: Preparing for Christ with Hope and Courage” - Homily - 1st Sunday of Advent, Year C
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the true meaning of Advent as a time of preparation for Christ’s Second Coming. He challenges us to engage in...
“Not Far from the Kingdom: Embracing Faith in Christ” - Homily - 31st Sunday of OT, Year B
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on Jesus’ words to the scribe, “You are not far from the Kingdom.” While love of God and neighbor is essential, i...
“Renewing the Covenant of Marriage: No Longer Hardened Hearts” - Homily - 27th Sunday of OT, Year B
n this homily, Fr. Michael explores Jesus’ teaching on marriage, reflecting on why Christ renews the covenant of marriage and calls us to a deeper fid...
“Becoming Like Little Children: Trust and Humility” - Homily - 25th Sunday of OT, Year B
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the Gospel where Jesus teaches His disciples about true greatness. As they argue about who will be the greates...
"Faith, Control, and the Cross: Peter’s Journey” - Homily - 24th Sunday of OT, Year B
In this homily, Fr. Michael examines Peter’s journey in the Gospel of Mark, highlighting three key stages: his bold act of faith in recognizing Jesus...
“Slowly Revealed: Understanding God’s Unveiling” - Homily - 23rd Sunday of OT, Year B
In this homily, Fr. Michael explores the recurring theme in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus often tells people not to reveal His miracles or identity t...
“True Worship: More Than Lip-Service” - Homily - 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B
In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on Jesus’ critique of empty worship, highlighting the danger of honouring God only with our lips while our hearts...
“Will You Also Leave?” - Homily - 21st Sunday of OT, Year B
In this homily for the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Fr. Michael reflects on the powerful and challenging message in the Gospel, where many disciples...
More than a Meal: Christ's Body Given for Us - Homily - 20th Sunday of OT (Year B)
In this powerful homily, Fr. Michael explores the profound meaning behind Jesus' words, "This is my body, given for you." Drawing inspiration from Mar...