Okay, everyone, hot take: Neville Longbottom is the real hero of the Harry Potter series. Looking at him from the outside, it doesn’t look like he should be in Gryffindor, nor doesn’t look like he has anything to offer. But if you read the whole series, you realize within the heart of Neville is a pure heart that is courageous and full of self-sacrificial love. He is chosen to save the wizarding world with Harry Potter.
In the first reading for this Sunday, King David is very similar to Neville. On the exterior, all of David’s brothers look better, have better stature, and seem the perfect and ideal candidates for kings. But Samuel anoints David, the runt of the family. Because Scott looks into David’s heart and sees the potential, no matter what you may be ashamed of in your own heart, Jesus looks into your heart, sees the good and the bad, and chooses you.
Reel Homilies with Father Tim Anastos is free to watch, but it’s not free to produce! Generous donors make it possible for us to continue creating this content. If you enjoy Reel Homilies, please consider making a monthly tax-deductible gift. Spirit Juice Entertainment Group (SJEG) is the non-profit arm of Spirit Juice Studios. It is a 501(c)3 organization that relies on your support to continue creating original, authentically Catholic content that reaches thousands of people each week through our website and social media channels.
Start a new monthly donation and receive an array of Reel Homilies and Spirit Juice swag in gratitude for your generosity. For more information, please visit our Reel Homilies Support page.
To qualify, you must donate a minimum of $10 per month. All gifts in between will be rounded down to the nearest package amount. Please allow 6-8 weeks for your package to be shipped. Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. Your donation is tax-deductible within the United States, and we will provide a tax receipt for your records.
-
First Whispered Words
Do you remember the first time anyone ever whispered in your ear? Probably not. Me neither, except it was probably my mom. Who whispered? Your brother’s my favorite. Anyway, there is a Jewish tradition where parents of a newborn child will whisper into their ear here, oh, Israel, the Lord is your God. The Lord alone. Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all…
-
Living Attractive Lives
Sometimes the Gospel spreads not through arguments, but through attraction. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.” We’re called to live our faith openly, not hidden, not forced, but visible through love and good works.
When we truly know that we are loved by Jesus, something changes. Our lives become compelling. That was the secret of the saints, people weren’t drawn to them because of charisma or cleverness, but because Christ was alive and active in them.
Live close to Jesus. Let Him work through you. An authentic, joy-filled faith is more attractive than we realize.
-
God Stays
So, two couples I’m preparing for marriage chose this Sunday’s Gospel for their wedding. So, I asked both couples the same question: “Why did you choose this reading?” Couple number one responded, “Yeah, we chose this gospel because it was the shortest option.” And I was like, “Bruh.” The second couple replied, “We chose this gospel because God wants to remain with us…
