Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

A Word of Hope

3 August • Called to Virtue, not Greed

The readings for Mass today have a series of warnings against greed, which causes us to try to possess things rather than to takes care of them and put them to the best use for all. We are called to virtue, to be stewards of creation, rather than to greed.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction from St. Louis Bertrand House
00:13 - Theme Introduced: Warning Against Greed
00:30 - Scripture Highlights: Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Colossians, Luke
01:11 - Jesus' Teachings on Greed and Possessions
01:28 - Reflection on Land and Food Justice
01:57 - Idolatry and Its Impact on Justice
02:08 - Greed Distorts God's Creation
02:29 - Consequences of Greed: Dispossession and Hunger
02:38 - Mention of Gaza and Global Injustice
02:50 - Our Call: Stewards of Creation
03:12 - Called to Virtue, Not Greed
03:25 - Mission: Serve God's Creation and People

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:

3 Feb • Compassion for the people

Feb 3, 2024 by Fr. Yamil A. Samalot Rivera, OP

When the people pursued Jesus across the lake, he did not admonish them, but felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Do we have that compassion for the needs of others?
2 Feb • The Light of the World

Feb 1, 2024 by Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP

On this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we celebrate Jesus as the Light of the World by blessings candles and committing ourselves to be light for others.
1 Feb • Open to guidance

Feb 1, 2024 by Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP

In today's Gospel, Jesus gives instructions to his disciples, who are open to accepting his wisdom and applying it to themselves. This is the virtue of docility, which is not so popular today, but important for learning nonetheless.
31 Jan • God is against war

Jan 31, 2024 by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP

In today's reading, King David sinned by ordering a census to count his soldiers in preparation for war. God punished him, giving him a choice between the inevitable fruits of war: famine, pestilence, and more war. Do we stand with God against war, and demand that our politicians work to end war, not extend it?
30 Jan • Renewed in faith

Jan 30, 2024 by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP

In a healing within a healing, a woman who has suffered for twelve years finds enough faith approach Jesus for a cure. What renews your own faith today? Grab on to it.
29 Jan • Responding to difficulties with humility

Jan 29, 2024 by Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP

King David's son Absalom led others in rebellion against his father. David, instead of responding in anger, in true humility, asked what his own part might be in this.
28 Jan • Jesus' authority

Jan 28, 2024 by Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP

Jesus led with an authority that was powerful in its honesty and integrity. In this election season, we should demand the same from our politicians.
27 Jan • Challenging one another

Jan 27, 2024 by Fr. Luke Barder, OP

In the scriptures today, Nathan points out David's error to him and Jesus points out his disciples' lack of faith. Are we open to correcting one another so that we all might become better?
26 Jan • Time to be apostolic

Jan 26, 2024 by Fr. Luke Barder, OP

Saints Timothy and Titus accompanied Paul on his mission to the gentiles, translating their hebraic faith to make it understandable in a greek culture. As our culture moves away from its Christian mooring, we need to learn to translate our own faith to make understandable to those around us, as did Timothy and Titus.
25 Jan • Called in small ways

Jan 25, 2024 by Br. Joseph Trout, OP

In Saul's conversion, great things were asked of him, but it could not have happened if people along the road did not stop and take him to Ananias. God calls us to great things and to small, hidden things as well. It is all part of God's great plan.
24 Jan • God sometimes says "no"

Jan 24, 2024 by Br. Joseph Trout, OP

King David wants to build a temple for the Lord, and the Lord says "No!" because David wanted to pretend that he should provide for God, ignoring the fact that God has always provided for him. We need to trust that God provides what we need, and sometimes God's "no" to our prayers is a reminder of this.
23 Jan • Extend your view of family

Jan 23, 2024 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

Jesus asked, "who are my mother, and brothers, and sisters?" Are we willing to rethink this basic human relationship and invite all people to be part of our family in Christ?
22 Jan • Encourage others to grow in the Spirit

Jan 22, 2024 by Fr. Greg Heille, OP

The scribes said that Jesus drove out spirits because he was possessed by Beelzebub. Do we judge others harshly, or do we look for signs of how the Holy Spirit is working in their lives to grow in virtue and encourage them in that.
21 Jan • Repent and Believe!

Jan 21, 2024 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

Jesus calls us not only to repent, but to believe in the Good News that the Kingdom of God is here and now.
20 Jan • Is he out of his mind?!

Jan 20, 2024 by Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP

As Jesus' ministry began, his family thought he was "out of his mind." Can we help our family members discern their true vocation, or do we think following God is "crazy"?
19 Jan • The call continues

Jan 19, 2024 by Fr. Brian Walker, OP

Jesus called the twelve because he needed their special talents to further his mission. The call continues. Why and to what is God calling each of us?
18 Jan • Looking for healing?

Jan 18, 2024 by Fr. Brian Walker, OP

Jesus healed the crowds, but kept a boat close by in case the crowd became threatening. Are we looking for a miracle cure from Jesus, or are we looking to be healed from the grip of sin?
17 Jan • Quick to judge

Jan 17, 2024 by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

The Pharisees were always quick to judge Jesus for breaking the Mosaic Law. May we be more open to see the blessings around us.
16 Jan • You are anointed

Jan 16, 2024 by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

Samuel announced that David was the anointed King of Israel. You are also anointed by God to preach the Good News.
15 Jan • Obedience to people and to God

Jan 15, 2024 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

True obedience works differently when it is to God and to other human beings. We are not to blindly obey human commands, but we need to learn to trust God completely, because God knows more than us. King Saul needed to learn that lesson.
14 Jan • Vocations are personal, but not private

Jan 14, 2024 by Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP

John the Baptist pointed out Jesus to Andrew, saying "Behold, the Lamb of God!" Andrew then brought his brother Peter to Jesus saying "we have found the Messiah!" Vocations are personal, we have to decide for ourselves, but we also need the help of others in pointing the way towards God, so vocations are also communal, not private.
13 Jan • Ask for mercy and it will be given

Jan 13, 2024 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Jesus regularly ate with tax collectors and sinners to bring them forgiveness. Can we see ourselves as sinners, equally in need of this forgiveness, so that we might dine with him?
12 Jan • Jesus' compassion trumps all

Jan 12, 2024 by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

When a man was lowered through the roof to be healed by Jesus, he did not interrogate the paralytic to see if he was worthy of a healing—he healed him. May we also be moved by compassion rather than judgement.
11 Jan • Anger at injustice turned to compassion

Jan 11, 2024 by Fr. Yamil A. Samalot Rivera, OP

Jesus, when confronted by a leper, seems angry at many things. But in the end, his compassion for the man won out over his anger. Can we say the same?

Subscribe to A Word of Hope