16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 17 July 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (17 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena Parish in Petersburg AK. In the parable of the weeds and the wheat Jesus teaches us not to jump to conclusions and quickly judge others or even ourselves as good or bad.  Real strength is shown in mercy. Or as in the story of the old Chines farmer who's mare ran away. "How are we to know if this is a blessing or not?"  Nothing that happens in the world does so without the passive or active will of God.  Let us work this week at suspending judgment or if we do judge let us judge everything as a blessing from God.

Readings: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 86; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 10 July 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (23 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, AK. Jesus tells the parable of the sower and explains it to us.  The seed is the word of God.  How well I am listening is indicated by my response to God's Word. Are all aspects of my life bearing abundant fruit because of my deep listening to the Word of God? If not: Prayer throughout the day, a daily Rosary, Fasting twice a week Wed & Fri on bread and water, daily/weekly Mass, monthly Confession, and Reading daily God's Word prepares the soil of our soul to hear God's Word deeply and bear abundant Fruit. Try one or more of these this week. Fall in love with the Word of God and your whole life will change for the better.

Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 3 July 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (14 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, AK. Jesus says each of us, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden light." Is is our pride or our sinfulness, or both, that keep us from seeking rest in the Lord? Go to confession this week and you will find rest.

Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10; Psalm 145; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30.

6th Sunday of Easter, Cycle A, 29 May 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (13 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, AK. St Peter says, "We must always be ready to give a reason for our hope." We have so many aspects of our faith that fill us with hope: the Holy Spirit, promise of Eternal Life, the gift of the Eucharist, God's mercy and forgiveness, Jesus' abiding presence with us. Let us take Jesus with us out into the world, for we are Christians!

Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Psalm 66; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21.

5th Sunday of Easter, 22 May 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (12 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell AK. Jesus is going ahead of us to prepare a place for us in Heaven.  How do we get there?  By following after Him in our care for the needs of the poor, like those first seven Deacons did. We are to be living stones, having a firm foundation in our faith yet adapting to all the new situations life presents us.  Always choosing to love.

Readings: Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12