Dominican Friars

Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

A Word of Hope

In today's reflection from St. Catherine of Siena House, Father Jordan DeGuire invites us to examine the state of our hearts. Reflecting on the complicated history of the Old Testament and the Gospel readings, Fr. Jordan contrasts the divided heart of King Solomon with the persistent faith of the Greek woman who sought healing from Jesus. While Solomon allowed his heart to be pulled in many directions away from God, the Greek woman—though an outsider—demonstrated an undivided, persistent faith that led to a miracle. God desires a heart that is whole and entire for Him. Join us as we explore how daily prayer and small reminders of God's presence can help us cultivate a heart ready to receive His gifts. **Timeline:** * 0:00 - Introduction from St. Catherine of Siena House * 0:18 - Israel's complicated relationship with the nations * 0:50 - God's promise is for everyone * 1:20 - The Divided Heart of King Solomon * 1:38 - The Persistent Heart of the Greek Woman * 2:32 - Is your heart divided or whole? * 2:50 - How to grow an undivided heart through prayer * 3:30 - Closing question for reflection **Hashtags:** #AWordOfHope #CatholicReflection #UndividedHeart #DailyPrayer #GospelReflection #Faith #DominicanFriars #Christianity #ScriptureStudy #StCatherineOfSiena

A Word of Hope with dove

Every day the Chicago Dominicans offer "A Word of Hope" video to bolster our faith through these trying times. We welcome any feedback you have at hope@opcentral.org . You can see them all below, or you can see other preaching by a particular person by clicking on his name, and you can have them emailed to you each morning by signing up for our email service:

11 February • The Enduring Faith of Hidden Christians in Japan & Our Lady of Lourdes

Feb 11, 2026 by Fr. Luke Barder, OP

We dive into the extraordinary story of the "Hidden Christians" of Japan around Nagasaki. Discover how, for over three centuries, these courageous communities endured immense persecution and repression, maintaining their faith without priests, baptizing their children, and tending to the Word of God in secret.
10 February • Do This In Memory Of Me: Living For God and Finding True Life

Feb 10, 2026 by Fr. Luke Barder, OP

In today's Gospel, we have a powerful encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees, which prompts a profound question for us all: "What does it truly mean to be a disciple of Jesus?"
9 February • From inaccessible mystery to concrete reality—Jesus makes God tangible for us

Feb 9, 2026 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

Fr. Samuel unpacks a fascinating contrast between today's two Mass readings: the distant, mysterious glory of God in the Old Testament and His intimate, accessible presence in Jesus and the Eucharist.
8 February • Salting the Gospel by Balancing Faith & Action

Feb 8, 2026 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

Jesus tells his disciples the they are to be salt and light. How do we "salt the Gospel" without making it too much about ourselves, or, conversely, letting it fall flat by removing ourselves completely?
7 February • Give Me an Understanding Heart, O Lord

Feb 7, 2026 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

Young Solomon, newly crowned after his father David, humbly prays to God: "Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to distinguish right from wrong."
6 February • The Cost of Discipleship: Paul Miki, John the Baptist & Witness in Our Lives

Feb 6, 2026 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

Father Greg delves into the familiar narrative of Herodias's vengeful plot against John. He connects John's ultimate sacrifice to his prophetic statement, "He must increase, I must decrease," illustrating the profound cost of standing firm in faith. Both Paul Miki and John the Baptist paid the ultimate price, steadfastly pointing the way to Jesus.
5 February • St. Agatha: Triumph Over Suffering & The Joy of Martyrdom

Feb 5, 2026 by Br. Joseph Trout, OP

Through her fidelity to God, Agatha became the protagonist of her own story, finding joy in her beloved Jesus Christ even amidst horrific suffering.
4 February • The Burden of Leadership, Lightened by the Sacrifice of Christ

Feb 4, 2026 by Br. Joseph Trout, OP

Drawing a parallel to the burdens of leadership in our own lives—that others often bear the weight of our choices—and that Jesus Christ, the sinless Davidic ruler, didn't just offer to bear His own consequences, but chose to bear the burden of everyone's sins on the cross.
3 February • Saint Blaise, Jesus, and Meeting the Needs Before Us

Feb 3, 2026 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

Connecting St. Blaise's story to today's Gospel: while pursuing "great big actions" for the Gospel is good, it is equally, if not more, important to meet the needs that come before us, however small they may seem.
2 February • Opportunity Cost & Faith: Simeon, Anna, and Waiting for God to Show Up

Feb 2, 2026 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

Simeon and Anna waited patiently for decades in the temple for the Messiah, enduring immense opportunity costs in their lives, yet greeting the Christ Child with pure joy, devoid of bitterness.
1 February • The Beatitudes: Going Against the Flow in a World of Chaos

Feb 1, 2026 by Fr. Bob Keller, OP

A dive into the powerful and counter-cultural message of the Beatitudes, the opening passage of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel.
31 January • Navigating the Storms of Personal Sins & Global Chaos

Jan 31, 2026 by Fr. Bob Keller, OP

Exploring the powerful Gospel story of Jesus calming the storm and its profound relevance to the chaos in our lives and the world.
30 January • King David's Sin: When Moral Outrage Hides Our Own Flaws

Jan 30, 2026 by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP

Yesterday, we saw King David in beautiful prayer, full of gratitude. Today, we encounter a very different David: the King who lusts after Bathsheba, commits adultery, and orchestrates the murder of her husband, Uriah, to cover his tracks. As Father Scott expresses moral outrage at this abuse of power, Father Peter offers a profound and sobering counter-challenge
29 January • “God, You Promised”: Praying with King David & Mary’s Magnificat

Jan 29, 2026 by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP

In today’s reflection, we pray with King David in 2 Samuel as he responds to God’s astonishing promise of a lasting dynasty. David’s humble question—“Who am I, Lord God?”—becomes a model of gratitude and awe at God’s unearned grace.
28 January • God's House of People & Aquinas's Theological House | Building Faith in Ordinary Time

Jan 28, 2026 by Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP

God, instead of having David build Him a house of stone, promises to build David a "house of people" – the people of God, a place for grace and salvation. Rather than an ark or a physical house, St. Thomas Aquinas built an immense "theological house" – the Summa Theologica.
27 January • Bearing the Lord: From the Ark of the Covenant to Corpus Christi Processions

Jan 27, 2026 by Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP

Father Charlie opens with a vivid memory of a Corpus Christi procession in Dubrovnik, Croatia, where he witnessed profound reverence as the Blessed Sacrament was carried through the city streets. This powerful experience serves as a lens through which he examines the day's First Reading, recounting David's careful and dignified procession with the Ark of the Covenant.
26 January • Saints Timothy & Titus vs. the Sin Against the Holy Spirit

Jan 26, 2026 by Fr. Yamil A. Samalot Rivera, OP

Contrasting saying "yes" the Holy Spirit, as did Titus, and "no", as did the Pharisees.
25 January • Cast Your Nets!

Jan 25, 2026 by Fr. Yamil A. Samalot Rivera, OP

This week, we contemplate not just the chronological first actions of Jesus, but his fundamental, foundational steps that define his transformative ministry of preaching and healing.
24 January • "Let Us See Your Face, O Lord"

Jan 24, 2026 by Fr. Tom Lynch, OP

In this reflection, we meditate on the powerful words of the Responsorial Psalm: "Let us see your face, O Lord, and we shall be saved." This cry reflects the deep human longing to experience God in a new and tangible reality.
23 January • The Right Meaning of Obedience to Authority

Jan 23, 2026 by Fr. Tom Lynch, OP

Is obedience simply doing what we are told without question?
22 January • A Word of Hope: What True Respect for Life Means

Jan 22, 2026 by Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP

Fr. Andrew Carl shares the inspiring story of how St. Dominic’s parish responded to the Dobbs decision not with words, but with action, by establishing the Margaret Costello Center to support pregnant women in need. Discover what it truly means to respect the dignity of every human life—from womb to tomb—and how we are called to treat one another as images of God.
21 January • A Word of Hope: Facing Your Giants with Faith

Jan 21, 2026 by Fr. Louis Morrone, OP

We all face giants in our lives—illness, grief, broken relationships, or injustice. Just like David, we are called to face them not with self-reliance, but with deep trust in God. Simultaneously, the Gospel challenges us to prioritize mercy over legalism. Are we willing to do good even when it is inconvenient or challenges rigid thinking?
20 January • Are You Just Following Rules? | The Trap of Legalism in Faith

Jan 20, 2026 by Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP

Brother Edward reflects on the Gospel encounter where the Pharisees criticize Jesus' disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath. While the Pharisees saw a broken rule, Jesus saw human need and the true purpose of the Law.
19 January • Why Don’t We Fast All the Time? | New Wine in Old Wineskins Explained

Jan 19, 2026 by Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP

Brother Edward explains the image of the Bridegroom. When Christ is present, it is a time for celebration, not mourning! Jesus isn't telling us to forget the traditions of the past, but He is inviting us to see them through new eyes—like putting new wine into new wineskins.

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