Spirit Juice is proud to present Reel Homilies from Father Tim Anastos, associate chaplain of the St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois-Chicago. In these minute-long reflections, Father Tim will unpack the Sunday Gospel readings through the lenses of Church tradition, pop culture, and self-improvement. We hope these reflections serve to inspire your own thoughts on the Gospel and bring you closer to Christ…as well as bring a smile to your face.
Enter your information below to get Reel Homilies delivered straight to your inbox each weekend. Please note that all fields are required.
Captain America vs. Iron Man
Who would win in a fight, Captain America or Iron Man? I have my own opinion, but I’ll keep it to myself. Tony Stark and Captain America do get into a fight. Tony Stark feels betrayed by Captain America. Even though Captain America doesn’t do anything against Tony Stark, Tony Stark still feels betrayed, and it’s justified. The gospel for this Sunday. Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you, what you did not…
Jesus is the Bridegroom
I just got back from our women’s weekend here at the Newman Center, where college-aged women go off for a weekend and dive into what it means to identify as a sister, a mother, a daughter, and a bride, and it was so awesome sauce. All of these college-aged women were convicted of the fact that even though they were not married, they had a bridegroom, Jesus. This is why I love the…
Will You Know Jesus?
If I were blindfolded and placed in front of a lineup of women, one of them being my mom, I absolutely would be able to choose my mom out of the lineup because I know her. I know how she speaks to me. I know what she smells like. I know everything about her. I know it all. In the gospel for this Sunday, Jesus speaks to those who are not prepared, amen. I do not know you. It’s terrifying…
Adopted by God Through Baptism
I had the amazing honor of baptizing my friend’s newborn. Baptism is so awesome because no matter if you were baptized with just water gently poured on your head, or if you were fully immersed, or even if a fire hose was shot at you. When you are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, you are adopted by God. Jesus, in the gospel for this Sunday, says…
Imitate Jesus
I am so excited. Our Newman Center just got a new statue of St. Joseph. It was handcrafted in Germany, it is absolutely beautiful, and my favorite thing about it is that the baby Jesus, the Lord of the universe, is holding the world, but is being held by his dad, St. Joseph, and the baby Jesus is safe and resting in his dad’s arms. St. Joseph was a good father, and he must have learned how to be a…
The Imprint on Your Hearts
Let’s talk about money. In ancient Rome, Caesar’s face was imprinted on coins so that people would know who the emperor was. In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus asks the Pharisees to take out a coin and tells them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.” Jesus is telling the Pharisees to give him his coins, be good citizens, pay their taxes, and not jaywalk. But everyone…
Don’t Say Whatever, Say Amen
I’ve been to many weddings recently. Love is in the air. At one wedding, a man came into the church wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. The best man approached him and said, “Dude, you can’t be here like this.” And the friend responded, “Whatever, man.” In the Gospel, for this Sunday, a wedding guest is not wearing his wedding garment. He’s saying to the whole wedding party…
Just Like A Good Goalie
Hugo Lloris is a fantastic goalie on the Tottenham Hotspurs soccer team in English soccer, or if you’re in England, football. Hugo Lloris said this about being a goalie. “It’s not just about the talent. “It’s being in the right place at the right time.” So Jesus in the gospel is saying, “Stay awake. “Be alert. Be prepared. “Be in the right place at the right time.” As Christians, we are often not in the right place…