Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

A Word of Hope

11 July • Ask for the Courage You Need

Jesus sent out his disciples "like sheep among wolves," knowing that they would encounter difficulties. Yet he sent his Holy Spirit with them as well. You and I are sent to preach the Good News as well. Ask God to give you the courage and wisdom you need to endure in this task. God will provide.

00:00 Introduction – Fr. Tom Lynch in Chicago
00:13 Jesus Sends the Disciples on Mission
00:25 “Sheep Among Wolves”: A Call to Suffer
00:36 The Promise of the Holy Spirit
00:53 Hope Amid Suffering
01:01 Do We Have the Courage?
01:13 Instruments of Hope and Healing
01:25 Walking in the Way of God

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:

29 Sept • Cast it away, but not so far away

Sep 29, 2024 by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP

We have two sayings of Jesus today, one of inclusion and one of exclusion. The deeper truth lies somewhere in between.

You can find out more information about the Oct. 24 Provincial's Dinner at: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/knch6p/event/provincialsdinner2024/

Based on Mark 9:38–43, 45, 47–48;
28 Sept • Rejoice in your youth, and remember it in your old age

Sep 28, 2024 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

The Book of Ecclesiastes reminds the young to enjoy the life they have so that they can remember their blessings when they are old. But in every age, remember the God who blesses us, and the ultimate blessing to which he is calling us.
27 Sept • Jesus died for each of us

Sep 27, 2024 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

Jesus revealed to his disciples that he had to suffer and die for the salvation of humanity, but what they missed is that he was to suffer for them. Do we each see that Jesus did not merely suffer for humanity in general, but for us individually? That changes things.
26 Sept • Reignite your faith

Sep 26, 2024 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

Saints Cosmas and Damian knew that their martyrdom would spread sparks far and wide to ignite the faith of the Christian community and thus embraced their faith. Let their example and their prayers reignite your own faith this day. Even though all things might seem hopeless, they are not for nought with the help of God.
25 Sept • Healing and preaching the Good News

Sep 25, 2024 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

As Jesus preached, he also healed, and when he sent his disciples out to preach, he sent them to heal as well. Thus we can ask ourselves if we heal others as we preach the Good News?
24 Sept • Grow your family

Sep 24, 2024 by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

Jesus said that whoever does the will of God is his mother and brother and sister. Can we extend our own notion of family to embrace all of God's people? Wouldn't that make for a better world?
23 Sept • Let your light shine

Sep 23, 2024 by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

Jesus tells us to that no one lights a candle and puts it under a bushel basket. Do you let your light shine, so that others may see the glory of God working through you?
22 Sept • The first shall be last

Sep 22, 2024 by Fr. Louis Morrone, OP

While Jesus was teaching his disciples that he had to die, they were more concerned with who among them was the greatest. Jesus pointed out this disconnect and challenged them: ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’
21 Sept • You never know where life will lead

Sep 21, 2024 by Fr. Brian Walker, OP

On this Feast of St. Matthew, we are called to look at how his life went in such a different direction because Jesus called him to follow. God has surprise blessings for all of us, and we cannot know how our life will unfold. But we can look at it and be amazed and say "Thank you."
20 Sept • Faith in what you cannot prove

Sep 20, 2024 by Fr. Brian Walker, OP

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to believe in the resurrection of the dead. We cannot prove this to anyone, but we believe in it, and we can feel that it is true in our heart. This is the way of faith, and it gives us hope.
19 Sept • Seeing the person in front of us

Sep 19, 2024 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

A sinful woman wept at Jesus' feet, washing them with her tears. Jesus saw God's grace and forgiveness working in her, the Pharisee with whom he was dining only saw her sinfulness. Do we see God's grace working in those around us and in ourselves, or do we just notice the sins?
8 Sept • Love is the highest gift

Sep 18, 2024 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

Paul tells us that the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of love (charity), which is the capstone of every other gift.
17 Sept • Together we are the Body of Christ

Sep 17, 2024 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Paul reminds us today that though we are many different parts, together we are the one Body of Christ. So we do not approach God individually, but as a part of the Church. Let us celebrate the gifts God has given each of us as well as gifts God has given others, so together, we can be more than any of us are individually.
16 Sept • Members of the One Body of Christ

Sep 16, 2024 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Paul upbraids the Christian community at Corinth for allowing division among its members when celebrating the Lord's Supper. Do we let our personal preferences get in the way of fostering unity in the Church even today?

Based on 1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33
15 Sept • Solid in His Faith

Sep 15, 2024 by Fr. Bob Keller, OP

Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah, but then rebukes him when Jesus predicts the suffering and death he must endure. Jesus is solid in his faith and so can accept the violence of others and respond in love. Peter is not solid in his faith. Are we? If we follow Jesus, we will not be ashamed when the world bullies us, or taunts us, or inflicts violence upon us, and we, like Jesus, will respond with love.
14 Sept • The cross, a sign that violence is best counteredred with nonviolence

Sep 14, 2024 by Fr. Bob Keller, OP

On this Feast of the Exultation of the Cross, we are pushed to ponder why we should celebrate this violent means of death. One thing it teaches us is that by dying this way, Jesus shows us a better way to counter the violence we see in the world by not responding in violence, but through inner strength, keeping our eyes on God's plan and responding to all things with love.
13 Sept • Follow and become like Jesus

Sep 13, 2024 by Fr. Jordan DeGuire, OP

Jesus asked his disciples to follow him and learn to be like him. We do not have to be perfect disciples when we start, we simply need to keep learning from the one teacher, Jesus, and to lead others to follow him as well.
12 Sept • Loving your enemies is not easy

Sep 12, 2024 by Fr. Jordan DeGuire, OP

Jesus told his disciples that they must love their enemies, just as God is kind even to the wicked. This is no easy thing for us, but we can start by recognising that we are already loved, and thus can reflect that love to others. Then, we can practice by loving others with an open hand, or in secret expecting nothing in return.
11 Sept • Blessed are you!

Sep 11, 2024 by Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP

In Luke's version of the Beatitudes, we learn that God loves those who are materially poor, and Jesus challenges us to do something to help them here and now and to live with integrity.
10 Sept • Better to be cheated than to quarrel with one another

Sep 10, 2024 by Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP

When the Christian community began cheating one another and fighting among themselves, Paul called them to remember that they left that quarrelsome life behind when they became justified in the name of Jesus.
9 Sept • St. Peter Claver and the law of love

Sep 9, 2024 by Fr. Yamil A. Samalot Rivera, OP

Jesus was criticized for healing on the sabbath, but the law of love is the highest law and must come first and foremost. This dedication is shown in the life of St. Peter Claver, SJ who cared for enslaved people in the New World.
8 Sept • Break the barriers that hold back mercy

Sep 8, 2024 by Fr. Yamil A. Samalot Rivera, OP

In healing a deaf man who was not Jewish, Jesus broke down barriers to God's mercy. May we also not look to the law but at how best to share God's love to those who need it most, whomever and wherever they are.
7 Sept • Honor the intent of the law

Sep 7, 2024 by Fr. Paul Whittington, OP

The Pharisees criticized Jesus because his disciples picked grain to eat on the sabbath, and Jesus proclaimed himself lord of the sabbath. Following Jesus is more important than following the letter of the law.
6 Sept • Appreciating those whom God has put in our lives

Sep 6, 2024 by Fr. Paul Whittington, OP

St. Paul tells us that he does not care about being judged by any human tribunal. The only judgement that counts os God's. Do we judge other people or worry how they judge us?

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