Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

A Word of Hope

A Word of Hope by Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP.

Jesus tells us not to swear by God, but to let our "yes" mean "yes" and our "no" mean "no." Perhaps this is not an injunction against oath-taking, which is an integral part of our modern world, but an injunction to be completely sincere in our words, so that our words and our life make a sincere and total "yes" to God.

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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:

13 June | Growing Entails Many Little Deaths

Jun 13, 2025 by Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP

St Paul tells us the death is in work in us, and we can all feel that in our lives: in trials, anxiety, and sleepless nights. But these deaths are part of growth, as we transition from our old life of hopelessness to a new life of hope in Christ. So today, look within and ask God to put these anxieties to death and open the door to the new life Jesus promises.
12 June | Transformed Completely by Our Encounter with Christ

Jun 12, 2025 by Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP

When Moses met God on the mountain in the burning bush, he was so transformed by the experience that his face shown with a radiant light. Our encounter with Jesus Christ transforms us even more thoroughly so that we might shine in every way for others. Today, let us look within to experience the presence of God and the transformation that this has brought so that we might make the Gospel more present in our world.
11 June | Ready or Not, God's Call Comes

Jun 11, 2025 by Fr. Tom Lynch, OP

On this Memorial of the Apostle Barnabas, we remember how he said "yes" when the Church elected him to accompany Paul on his missionary journeys. When God calls, will you say yes, ready or not?
10 June | To Whom are You Light?

Jun 10, 2025 by Fr. Tom Lynch, OP

Jesus tells us that we are meant to be the salt of the earth and a light for the world. For whom are we light? Who is light to us? Today, let us look at our relationships in this light.
9 June | Finding God Within

Jun 9, 2025 by Br. Joseph Trout, OP

In proclaiming Mary as the Mother of the Church, we acknowledge that the Church is her son, Jesus, and all of us who are part of the church, are part of the Body of Christ and have God dwelling in us.
So we do not have to go looking for God, we can find God dwelling within ourselves.
8 June | What Unites Us?

Jun 8, 2025 by Br. Joseph Trout, OP

In building the Tower of Babel, people were trying to wall themselves off from others and impose unity through force. That kind of unity never works and in the end always falls apart. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit united people by dwelling inside them, thus uniting each to God. This unity lasts unto eternity, and it also sends us out right now to encounter others rather than walling us off from them.
7 June | Are You Ready for Pentecost? | The Gifts of the Holy Spirit & Justice

Jun 7, 2025 by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

Rooted in scripture and animated by Catholic social teaching, this homily challenges us to live boldly in the Spirit—compelled, called, and inspired to be a voice of faith in the face of injustice and despair.
6 June | Do You Love Me? A Pentecost Reflection on Peter’s Redemption and Mission

Jun 6, 2025 by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

As we stand in the sacred days between Ascension and Pentecost, this homily invites us to find hope in our brokenness and be renewed in our mission to feed the sheep.
5 June | St. Boniface & the Call to Christian Witness and Unity | Catholic Homily

Jun 5, 2025 by Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP

In this reflection, Fr. Wisdom explores the deep connection between Christian witness, martyrdom, listening, and unity in Christ, drawing from John 17—Jesus' high priestly prayer for communion among His followers.
4 June | Farewell & Mission: St. Paul’s Legacy & Jesus’ Prayer in John 17

Jun 4, 2025 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

The Cost of Discipleship: Like Paul facing persecution in Jerusalem, we’re called to witness "without counting the cost."
3 June | St. Charles Lwanga & the Ugandan Martyrs: A Homily on Faith, Suffering, and Justice

Jun 3, 2025 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

This homily challenges us to confront unjust systems while standing firm in faith, just as the martyrs did. "We too are baptized," Fr. Heille reminds us. "We too testify to the power of the cross—and the promise of resurrection."
2 June | Who Is the Holy Spirit? – A Catholic Homily for Pentecost Preparation

Jun 2, 2025 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

A reflection on why many Christians live like they've "never heard of the Holy Spirit" and how to truly embrace the Spirit's gifts
1 June | Why the Ascension Gives Us Hope

Jun 1, 2025 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

Jesus’ Ascension into heaven gives us hope for eternal life in heaven.
31 May | The Paradox of Blessedness: Mary & Elizabeth's Story – A Powerful Homily for the Visitation

May 31, 2025 by Fr. Louis Morrone, OP

True blessedness combines both joy and sorrow, just as Mary and Elizabeth experienced in their miraculous pregnancies.
30 May | When God's Plan Doesn't Make Sense–A Powerful Catholic Homily on Trusting Divine Providence

May 30, 2025 by Fr. Luke Barder, OP

Faith is hard, even after the resurrection. But God is never far away, even when it feels that way. We need to trust that God has prepared us for the task at hand, and is preparing us for what is to come.
29 May | Why Christ Had to Ascend: Understanding God's Unfolding Plan & the Holy Spirit

May 29, 2025 by Fr. Luke Barder, OP

Using the beautiful imagery of a blooming flower and the intricate art of origami, Fr. Luke illustrates how seemingly chaotic events in our lives and in the Church are part of God's perfect design.
28 May | Why Jesus Says 'You Can't Understand Yet' – A Catholic Homily on the Holy Spirit's Role

May 28, 2025 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

Jesus says, "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now." A reflection on why God sometimes withholds understanding and how the Holy Spirit transforms us to receive divine truth.
27 May | Finding Joy in Suffering: St. Paul’s Secret to Hope | Catholic Homily

May 27, 2025 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

Paul and Silas's response to their suffering is to sing. This shows their patience, not a worldly patience, which is to simply endure suffering, but a Christian patience which spring out of a knowledge that God will make all things right in the end.
26 May | Cheerfulness & Truth in a World of AI Lies (St. Philip Neri) | Catholic Homily

May 26, 2025 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

A call to integrity: Why Catholics must weigh everything against the Truth of the Gospel, not partisan agendas or digital deception.
25 May | Freedom in Christ (No Unnecessary Burdens!) | Catholic Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter

May 25, 2025 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

"It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place burdens on you." The early Church rejected legalism to embrace the freedom of the Gospel.
24 May | When the World Hates You – Finding Hope in Christ (John 15:18) | Catholic Sermon

May 24, 2025 by Fr. Bob Keller, OP

Reflecting on John 15:18 ("If the world hates you, realize it hated me first"), Fr. Keller offers a powerful message on staying faithful to Christ in a hostile world.
22 May • Laying Down Your Life for Friends

May 23, 2025 by Fr. Bob Keller, OP

Reflecting on John 15:13 ("No greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend"), Fr. Bob shares a moving real-life story of sacrificial love in marriage—a testament to Christian discipleship and the Paschal mysteries.
22 May • Finding True Joy in Christ | Overcoming Life's Struggles with Faith

May 22, 2025 by Fr. Jordan DeGuire, OP

Drawing from Oliver Wendell Holmes' wisdom on simplicity beyond complexity, he explores how true Christian joy isn’t naive optimism—it’s a deep, abiding peace that comes through life’s struggles.
21 May • I Am the Vine, You Are the Branches – A Powerful Easter Reflection | John 15:1-8

May 21, 2025 by Fr. Jordan DeGuire, OP

A profound reflection on spiritual growth, trust in God’s timing, and how even when life feels unproductive, God is preparing us for greater fruitfulness.

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