Divine Mercy Sunday Sermon, April 11th -- St Thomas the Apostle, and Easter Graces (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

 [long pre-sermon note on Divine Mercy Sunday, the Theology of the Divine Mercy Image, and the specifics of the promise of Jesus to St Faustina for special graces on this day as well as of the indulgence offered by the Church]

St Thomas the Apostle is a central figure of the Gospel for this Sunday. We consider who he was, and how this encounter with the Risen Lord transformed him.  We also discuss why he was called "The Twin" and how his likeness to Christ moved him to preach the Gospel to the Far East.

Easter Sunday Sermon, April 4th -- Proofs of the Resurrection, and What It Means for Us

 There are physical proofs of the Resurrection: The tomb was sealed, and the angel rolled back the stone to reveal that Christ had been raised and miraculously passed unnoticed through the sealed walls during the night just before dawn.

There are also moral proofs of the Resurrection: Consider how St Peter was totally transformed by his encounter with the risen Jesus. He who had been afraid of the questions of a servant girl on Good Friday, would be so bold as to proclaim Christ before courts and executioners!

Good Friday Sermon, April 2nd -- Our Lady at the Foot of the Cross (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

 The greatest sorrow of our Lord was to see his mother weeping at the foot of the Cross. Her sorrow was greater than all other saints, for her heart was so intimately united with the heart of her Son.

Mary gave Jesus to the world as a beautiful baby boy. We gave him back to her, a bloody corpse.  What brought about this change? My sins.  Mary, pray for me - Lord Jesus, never let me offend you again!

Holy Thursday Sermon, April 1st -- The Logic of the Triduum, and Christ's Presence in the Church (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

 During the Triduum, the Church commemorates the mysteries of salvation not only in the manner of a sacrament, but after the manner in which they historically occurred. Thus, on Holy Thursday we commemorate the foot washing, the Last Supper, and the Agony in the Garden.  On Good Friday, the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus. At Easter Vigil, the anointing of his sacred body, and his Resurrection on the third day.

Further, we consider the presence of Christ in the Church until the end of time:  He is present in the charity of believers (the mandatum, or example of charity, the foot washing); he is present in the priests (whom he ordained at the Last Supper); and he is present in the Blessed Sacrament (which he first consecrated on this night).

Palm Sunday Sermon, March 28th -- Hosanna to Christ the King (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

 "Hosanna to the Son of David, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest."

We consider the meaning of the word "hosanna" and how the children of the Hebrews and the crowds of Jerusalem declared that Christ is King.