Church Teaching

by

GIVING the DEVIL the BENEFIT of LAW

Thomas More, Joseph and a Disobedient Leper
Homily – 6th Sunday of the Year (B)
Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Mark 1:40-45

We are moved by the faith of the Leper in approaching Jesus, the compassion of Jesus in curing the Leper; but are we all that impressed with the Leper’s subsequent disobedience to Jesus command? Fr. Bill discusses the often overlooked aftermath of Jesus cure of the Leper in the Gospel of Mark; an aftermath that has grave and serious repercussions for the ministry of Jesus, and serves as a sobering example of the importance of God’s Law, and our obligation to obey.

by

Sons of Zebedee – Son of Joseph: God’s Gift of a Father

Homily
YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH
3rd Sunday of the Year – B
Mark 1:14-20

Two of Jesus’ Disciples were called “Sons of Zebedee”, Jesus as “Son of Joseph” was “Son of the Carpenter” and “Son of David” in addition to being the “Son of God”. Fr. Bill discusses how we can find an identity in and through our Fathers and the names that are given to us from him.

by

“You are my Beloved Son…” – The Other Father of Jesus

Sunday Homily
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
and the YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH
Mark 1:7-11

At the Baptism of Jesus, God the Father declares from Heaven, “You are my beloved Son…” but there is another who can make the same declaration. Fr. Bill discusses the importance of St. Joseph to faith, and as an example against the worldliness of the modern era.

by

GOD’S “GREEN” LAWS – The Ten Commandments & Creation (Series Finale)

The Ten Commandments – Video #22
God’s Creation, Jesus’ Command to Love, and the Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are “Green Laws” in that they complement the dynamic of God’s laws of God’s Creation.

In the concluding video to this series, Fr. Bill discusses this dynamic, as well as how the Commandments are related to Jesus Commandment to “Love One Another”.

by

LEGAL & MORAL TRUTH – The 8th Commandment

The Ten Commandments – Video #19
“You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor.”

“Bearing False Witness” connotes a legal setting, but in the Christian context, with the teachings of Jesus, “TRUTH” is an important part of our cultural and faith “identity”.

Fr. Bill discusses the 8th Commandment – “You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor” in light of the broader standard that the People of God, and the Followers of Christ, be known as People of the Truth.

by

STEALING FROM GOD – The 7th Commandment, pt. 2

The Ten Commandments, #18
Stealing What is Yours
“You Shall Not Steal”

Is it possible to steal what is rightfully ours? Can one be guilty of stealing from the Poor and Stealing from God?

Fr. Bill expands on the 7th Commandment, “You Shall Not Steal” and shows how God worked into the Biblical Law His desire for us to share what is ours with those in need, while also providing for the Worship Life of the People.

by

STEALING PEOPLE & PROPERTY – The 7th Commandment, pt. 1

Video #17 — The Ten Commandments
“You Shall Not Steal”

“Thou Shall Not Steal” is usually associated with the property and possessions of others. How can it be understood in terms of the Exodus from Slavery brought about by God for His Holy People.

Fr. Bill discusses the 7th Commandment in terms of People, as well as Property, and relates “You Shall Not Steal”t to the dignity of labor God brought to the People of Israel in contrast to Slavery for a powerful overlord.

by

About “ORIENTATION” – The 6th Commandment, pt. 3

Video #15 – The Ten Commandments
“You Shall Not Commit Adultery”

An important issue regarding Human Sexuality is the issue of “Orientation”. Fr. Bill discusses this sensitive topic and how it applies to the 6th Commandment – “You Shall Not Commit Adultery”