Father Matthew Wiering Podcast

12/10/17: 2nd Sunday of Advent: Why do we go to Confession?

Today we are introduced to the strange and wonderful figure of John the Baptist, whose task it was to "prepare the way of the Lord". How did he do this? He told the people Israel to "Repent!" and then he had the people confess their sins and be washed with water. Some people say that confession of sins is not Scriptural or that the Catholic Church or the Pope made it up... but nothing could be further from the truth. If we think about how essential it is to say "I'm sorry" and receive forgiveness in our human relationships, then we can begin to understand why the same dynamic needs to take place in our relationship with God. In Jesus, this doesn't happen merely symbolically (like with John's confession) but sacramentally, in other words, we are actually forgiven in the Sacrament, and God actually takes away our sins. All the more reason to return to this powerful Sacrament of God's mercy!

12/3/17: 1st Sunday of Advent: He Came, and He is Coming!

Today we consider what Advent really is: We reflect on Christ's 1st Coming, so that we remember his 2nd coming. Let us not be found unprepared and inattentive when he comes!

11/26/17: Solemnity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: A King who Writes Straight with Crooked Lines

Today we celebrate the Solmenity of Christ the King, which might be a little bit awkward for us Americans, because our government exists as a result of our rejection of kingship. So the question for us today is, "Do we allow Jesus to rule over us as king?" Or do we opt for self-rule? 

11/19/17: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: What have we done with the Gift?

Today's Gospel presents us with a man who goes on a journey and entrusts huge sums of money to three of his servants before he leaves. The expectation is that they will use creativity and resourcefulness to make a return on the funds they have given him. Two invest the sums and double their value. One chooses to bury the money, out of fear. The question for us is: What do we do when the Lord gives us the priceless gift of Himself? Do we take the risk of sharing our faith so that the Gift might increase? Or do we bury it?

11/12/17: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Judgment Day

Today's apocalyptic readings remind us of the last things--death, judgment, heaven and hell--and what is most important. How do we avoid being like the foolish virgins who aren't ready for when the Bridegroom comes? And how do we be like the wise virgins who are ready?

11/5/17: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: A Church in our Own Image

Today our problem can be like that of the scribes and Pharisees: We conform the faith to ourselves, as opposed to being conformed to faith.

11/1/17: Solemnity of All Saints: A Short Reflection on Heaven

10/29/17: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Do You Love God? Then Prove It.

Today's Gospel reminds us of the two most important things according to Jesus: Love for God and Love for Neighbor. It is very easy to say that we love God and others. But how do we prove it???

10/22/17: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Only Thing that will Satisfy a Lover

In today's Gospel, the Pharisees try to lure Jesus into answering a trick question: Is it lawful to pay the census tax? Whether he answers yes or no, some in his audience will be offended and will spread bad news about him. But he deftly responds with a "both-and": "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." So our question for today is, "What is God's?" We soon realize that everything is God's, and like a jealous lover, God demands this "everything" from each one of us and will not be satisfied until He has what He wants.

10/9/17: Encountering Jesus: The Call to Holiness

Today's first talk to the Catholic school teachers of the Diocese of New Ulm. God calls us all to holiness. As we become holy, we become like God... And then we ourselves become fishers of men! Sorry for the audio quality. It is really great when I am standing right in front of the podium. :)