Tag: liturgical churches near me

A homily on the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord, by Father Dan Suelzle.

At Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary we see a profound collision of divine majesty and radical humility that shapes our understanding of humanity. By choosing to enter the world through the Blessed Virgin’s womb, Jesus Christ sanctified every stage of human existence, from conception to adulthood, and thus is like us in every way. This condescension was the fulfillment of God’s divine plan to save mankind. By becoming fully human and remaining fully divine, Christ is the one and only God-man, able to fulfill the Law and suffer in our place, and defeating sin, death, and the devil. Ultimately, the Annunciation reminds us that in his incarnation, Christ makes himself our brother in the flesh so that we might truly become children of the Father. You can listen to the full homily below.

A sermon for Judica, the First Sunday in Passiontide, by Father Josh Leigeber.

Jesus’ question exposes a truth we would rather avoid: none of us can stand without sin. While we are often tempted either to ignore our sin or compare ourselves favorably to others, sin is never a small matter. It separates us from God and, left unchecked, leads to death.

Yet the answer is not denial or despair, but Christ Himself. Unlike Abraham or any other human being, Jesus alone is without sin. As the eternal Son of God and the promised Seed of Abraham, He is both the Priest and the Sacrifice, providing in Himself the forgiveness and redemption we need. Through His Word and His saving work, He gives the promise that those who keep His Word will never taste death.

Even so, the Christian life remains a struggle. Though forgiven, we still battle sin and cannot justify ourselves. Our life and salvation are found only in abiding in Christ—hearing His Word, repenting, and trusting in His mercy. In Him alone do we stand with a clean conscience and the sure hope of eternal life. You can listen to the full homily below.

A sermon for Laetare, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, by Father Dan Suelzle.

Laetare Sunday serves as a spiritual pit-stop in the Lenten season, inviting believers to rejoice in the freedom found in the “Jerusalem above,” which St. Paul identifies as the Mother of all Christians. This historical “Mothering Sunday” reminds us that we are not children of the Law’s slavery, but children of the Promise, birthed into new life through the Church in Word and Sacrament. Just as a child cannot grant himself life, a Christian receives and sustains his life through “Mother Church,” where Christ—the true Temple—feeds His people with the Bread of Heaven. We rejoice that we belong to a free, heavenly city that offers peace, nourishment, and the saving gifts of Christ.