Aflame for Christ

Aflame 152 - Our Shepherd, the Pope

On the occasion of the election of Pope Leo XIV, and for Good Shepherd Sunday, we look at the role of the Papacy: what it is not, and what it is - as a father and shepherd, preacher of truth, and sign of unity. Ad multos annos!

Aflame 151 - Three Signs of Spiritual Maturity

Jesus calls Peter and the Apostles "little children" in today's Gospel. This demeaning term is meant to show that they are still struggling with spiritual immaturity. What can we learn from the immaturity of these Apostles and how can we grow into the mature friends of Christ that He desires for us?

Aflame 150 - Confirmation Homily

This year, Fr. Joseph had the privilege of administering the Sacrament of Confirmation to the young people at his parish.
 
They stood to receive it...but for whom were they standing? What does it mean to "stand" for something? And what is the cost of standing for Jesus Christ? Confirmation means taking a stand when it's difficult, but only when we know what we would die for will we truly begin to live!

Aflame 149 - Hope Over Despair

Christ's Resurrection is a historical event, but it is more than historical - it reverberates through history as the actualization of life's triumph over death. Now, for believers, it colors everything we do - rather than life being about "wasting time" until our own demise, it's a journey to an everlasting Kingdom where we, too, shall never die.

Aflame 148 - The Tree of Life

Two trees dwelt in a garden - one of which led to death, while one led to life. The Tree of Life had been sealed since that fateful day in the beginning, but on Good Friday it is unsealed for us - obedience unto death becoming our life!

Aflame 147 - Look Upon the Cross

If you want to see the depths of God's love for you, the ultimate meaning of life, the key to understanding human history, the fulfillment of all your desires - look upon the Cross and see the Answer!

Aflame 146 - Punishable By Death

Jesus' mercy saves a woman caught in adultery - but why was adultery punishable by death? Because all sin is punished by death - Jesus' death on the Cross, which not only cleanses the blot of our sin but gives us the grace to "go and sin no more".

Aflame 145 - More Than Your GDP

This prodigal young man saw the world in terms of hedonism and economics – everything was for sale. But this only led to the chora makra – the great emptiness. He was rescued, then, by the free and lavish grace of a Father who restored him to relationship in the house of love. Isn’t that our story, too?