Father Matthew Wiering Podcast

1/1/15: Mary, Mother of God: The Tenderness of God

Jesus, Mary's Son, shows us the tenderness of God.

12/28/14: Feast of the Holy Family: St. Joseph

In this homily we meditate on three moments in Joseph's life that show how Joseph put God's will over his own--the secret to holiness.

Christmas 2014: The Gift Truly Worth Giving

Over and against the materialism of the "holiday season" we have the simplicity and poverty of the Gospel accounts of Jesus's birth, which helps us to understand what are the gifts truly worth giving.

12/21/14: 4th Sunday of Advent: God's Free Invitation

Today's Gospel of the Annunciation is not only an annunciation but also an invitation to Mary to enter into a unique and intimate relationship with God. God will not force her into his plan but invites her...and then waits for her consent. It is the same with ourselves! God does not force us to love him but only invites us over and over again.... How will we respond?

12/14/15: 3rd Sunday of Advent: The Necessity of Repentance and Joy

Two themes are consistent throughout the liturgical season of Advent: repentance and joy. We need them both!

12/8/14: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: Why the Demons Tremble this Day

The day of Mary's conception in her mother's womb free from original sin is the beginning of the Father's plan to save fallen humanity. This is why the demons tremble on this day!

12/7/14: 2nd Sunday of Advent: The Courage to Admit our Sinfulness

The witness of John the Baptist is that to grow in holiness we are more aware of our sinfulness not less. But this takes courage! I've learned this through my close friend, Carthusian monk Br. Maximus Marie.

11/30/14: 1st Sunday of Advent: Our Need for a Savior

Today I reflect on the first reading from Isaiah and a quotation from the contemporary evangelist Fr. Robert Barron: "The biggest challenge of the Advent season is to really feel our need for a Savior."

11/27/14: Thanksgiving 2014: Giving Thanks for our Blessings and Failures

It's pretty easy for us to thank God for the good things in our life. It's very difficult for us to thank God for the bad. Today I tell the story of St. Rose Philippine Duschene, who learned to be thankful even for her failures. 

11/23/14: Solemnity of Christ the King: To Serve--Will we or won't we?

Today's Gospel is pretty clear: The criteria for our salvation is whether or not we have embodied the love of Christ Jesus--whether we have lived the Gospel out. There are no excuses on the Day of Judgement. Will we serve or won't we?