Recent Videos by Fr. James Marchionda, OP

Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the word for this great Solemnity, assuring us that God has invited us to participate in his work of bringing about the Reign of God. Our part, if we choose to accept it, it is care for the poor, feed the hungry, and serve those who are in need. Are you on board?

When a blind man heard that Jesus was coming, he started calling out. People told him to stop, but Jesus called him over and healed him. Do we let ourselves be bothered by the cry of the poor?

In the parable of the talents, Jesus teaches that whatever faith or talents God has given us is meant to be used, not hidden away or kept to ourselves.

Jesus refused to be pulled into an argument between two brothers and instead, challenged them to guard against greed. God has given us all that we need, so we should not complain nor get drawn into the greedy arguments of others.

Jesus refused to pit religion against politics, saying "give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." Of course, the whole world in all its wonder already belongs to God, so let us use what God has given us to solve problems, not to make more problems.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the parable of the Wedding Feast in the Gospel of Matthew and its parallel in Isaiah, pointing out that God is preparing a banquet in heaven and all are invited, but those who want to go are challenged to respond properly to the invitation.

Jesus preached that tax collectors and prostitutes were getting into heaven before many of his listeners, because they realize their need to change. Do we?

On this memorial of St. Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin, we remember the centrality of the Word of God in our lives, and are afforded an opportunity to sit and pray with our Bible today.

Jesus' disciples were criticised for picking grains of wheat to eat on the sabbath because they were hungry, to which Jesus famously said "The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath." Do we serve the law, or do we serve people, as did our saint we remember today, Peter Claver.

On this feast celebrating the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we are reminded that Mary is not the end point of our faith, but the starting point, since she always points to Christ.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, explaining that to pick up our cross and follow Jesus means more than "suffering, for the sake of the Gospel," but to have the wisdom to know God's particular call for us and to have the courage to act on it.

Jesus promised his disciples that whatever they have given up in family ties or wealth they will be given 100 times as much, as well as eternal life.... and yet, we often still choose our "stuff" over God.