19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 12 Aug 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (16 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at the Shrine of St Therese near Juneau, Alaska. Today we continue through the Bread of Life discourse in John's 6th Chapter. Jesus teaches that he is the living bread come down from heaven just like the manna in the desert and the Torah given on Mount Sinai. We cannot remain under our broom trees of despair. We must get up and eat of the Bread of Life in Word and Sacrament and be strengthened for the journey.

Readings: 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51

Feast of the Transfiguration, 6 Aug 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (7 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Jesus is transfigured before the eyes of Peter, James and John. God the Father speaks from the cloud, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."

Readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 5 August 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (15 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Those who were fed from the loaves and fish seek Jesus out in Capernaum. He promises "Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." Trust that God will take care of our daily needs. We need to desire Jesus like we desire air to breath after holding our breath for 6 minutes.

Readings: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Psalm 78; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35

St John Vianney, Cure of Ars, 4 Aug 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (7 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. St John Vianney (1786-1859), just barely having completed seminary, is the patron Saint of parish priests. As the pastor of a town of 250 souls he would have died in obscurity if hadn't had a gift for hearing confessions. In the winter he would hear confessions for 10-12 hours daily and 15-18 hrs in the summer. There were special trains to bring penitents to Ars to confess their sins and receive absolution.

Readings: Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24; Psalm 69; Matthew 14:1-12

Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, 3 Aug 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (7 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Jeremiah is about to be lynched by those who do not want to hear the Truth he speaks, while Jesus is rejected by his home town. How well are we listening to the those speaking prophetically among us?

Readings: Jeremiah 26:1-9; Psalm 69; Matthew 13:54-58

Thursday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, 2 Aug 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (8 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Jeremiah is sent to watch the local potter form and reform vessels on the wheel. Our life goal is to be that supple clay in the hands of our Lord who only with our permission will form us into the work of beauty that God created us to be.

Readings: Jeremiah 18:1-6; Psalm 146; Matthew 13:47-53

St Alphonsus Liguori, 1 Aug 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (8 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. We hear the familiar parables that the Kingdom of God is like a treasure stumbled a pone or a pearl of great price that has been searched for. May we both search for God and rejoice when we stumble a pone Him.

Readings: Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21; Psalm 59; Matthew 13:44-46