The Holy Name of Jesus
So, the coat of arms in my archdiocese is epic. It shows a phoenix, which is a symbol of resurrection. And on the chest of the phoenix is the IHS, which is the holy name of Jesus. And so, in the first reading for this Sunday, Saint Peter, our first pope, heals a man by the holy name of Jesus. He can heal because of his name because Jesus’ name is mighty. In the Old Testament…
Glass Half-Empty or Overflowing
Okay, so maybe you are a glass-half-empty kind of person, or you are like me, and you are a glass overflowing. Everything is awesome all of the time, and nothing is ever wrong kind of person. But in the Gospel for this Sunday, St. Thomas the Apostle is a glass-half-empty kind of person. He is very skeptical. Something is intriguing happening here. Thomas, a man…
Resurrection of the Body
So, Captain America is obviously the best out of all the superheroes. When he receives the soldier serum, he becomes more of himself. He doesn’t become less of himself. He becomes perfected. Before the serum, he was weak, but he was good. After the serum, he is still good and perfected. This is precisely what Jesus says in the gospel today: that we believe in the…
Prayer of St. Francis
The anonymous text that is usually called the Prayer of Saint Francis (or Peace Prayer, or Simple Prayer for Peace, or Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace) is a widely known Christian prayer for peace. Often associated with the Italian Saint Francis of Assisi (c. 1182 – 1226), but entirely absent from his writings, the prayer in its present form has not been traced back further than 1912. Its first known occurrence was in French, in a small spiritual magazine called La Clochette (The Little Bell), published by a Catholic Church organization in Paris named La Ligue de la Sainte-Messe (The League of the Holy Mass). The author’s name was not given, although it may have been the founder of La Ligue, Father Esther Bouquerel. The prayer was heavily publicized during both World War I and World War II. It has been frequently set to music by notable songwriters and quoted by prominent leaders, and its broadly inclusive language has found appeal with diverse faiths encouraging service to others.
I Wrote A Book!
Exciting news! Fr. Tim Anastos wrote a book, and we want to give you a free copy! If you support Reel Homilies with a recurring donation of $10 per month or more, we will send you a copy of Jesus, Make Me Fully Alive. This book features 30 Holy Hour reflections to help you grow in your prayer life. Set up your donation, and we will send you a copy of the book!
God’s Radiating Love
This has got bad news written all over it. If you have ever seen “Chernobyl,” “Godzilla,” or “The Simpsons,” you know that radiation is silent. You don’t feel anything, and it can change you. Similarly, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is just like that, only it gives you life and doesn’t kill you. When we go to adoration, it is silent. We don’t feel anything, but it is super…