Sunday Thoughts From Fr. Edward Looney

Fr. Edward Looney preaches at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help on the memorial of St. Juan Diego. He links the Advent season with the Guadalupan apparitions and those received by Adele Brise in 1859.

Fr. Edward Looney reflects on Mary's Immaculate Conception focusing on how God chose Mary to be the mother of God. Because she was chosen, she was pre-redeemed. Not only was Mary chosen, but she chose God in her life too.

For the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A ,Fr. Edward Looney reflects on John's request of the Pharisees to produce good fruit of their repentance. John didn't believe they were sincere. Are we serious when we confess our sins? Do we really want to amend our lives?

Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the exterior preparation we do for Christmas, and then asks what interior preparation do we do? The prophet Isaiah invited us to climb the mountain of the Lord. As we prepare to climb the mountain, what's in our spiritual backpack?

Jesus' kingdom has no end. The cross is His throne from which he shows mercy. How shall we make a return to the Lord for this mercy? Worship, praise, thanksgiving, and service!

How does a person give their testimony? Jesus tells us how this weekend. Learn how to and be ready at a moment's notice!

Who are the Maccabees of the 21st century? Fr. Edward argues the Catholic Church because of our contradictory beliefs to that of modern society. Will we be like the Maccabees and stand up for what we believe in? Will we be willing to die?

Jesus tells Zaccheus he wants to say in his house today. The same is true for you and me. When we let Jesus stay in our house, He will clean the house, do the maintenance work, and repair whatever is broken.

Fr. Looney reflects on the three ways we typically compare ourselves to others. Two are negative views. Only one is healthy. Begin comparing yourself to others in a healthy way.

Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the necessity of reading scriptures as a means to know Jesus, live Jesus, and share Jesus with others. The scriptures will transform your life. To get a free bible app visit downloadjesus.com.

As you begin listening to Fr. Looney's homily this week, you might think you missed the homily and are not at the Preface Dialogue. Fr. Looney reflects on the phrase we respond to so often, "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God." As the preface says, it is right and just to give God thanks always and everywhere. Do we do that? Fr. Edward challenges listeners to thank God each day. What are you thankful? Take a listen and allow your heart to be filled with gratitude.

Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the request made by the apostles--Increase our faith. Had their faith decreased? In this homily, Fr. Edward reflects on moments of doubt we experience and the need to ask Jesus to increase our faith.

In Sunday's Gospel we visit the tombstone of the rich man. The story he shares helps us learn from his mistakes. Learn the lessons he teaches us as we consider if tombstones could talk.

Using the second reading, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the need to intercede for others in light of St. Paul's encouragement. In the second part of the homily, Fr. Edward challenges the parish he serves to pray for one another. For whom should you pray? Listen and find out!

Jesus tells us in this weekend's gospel who cannot be a disciple. This via negative approach tells us then who Jesus' disciples are. Are you a disciple of Jesus? Are you living a life of discipleship? Listen and find out for yourself.

Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the four marks of a humble person: genuine concern, acknowledging wrongs and apologizing, choosing the lesser option, and not boasting in accomplishments. Citing the lives of the saints and personal examples, Fr. Looney will challenge you to become more humble each and everyday.

Fr. Edward Looney reflects on Hebrews 12, specifically the great cloud of witnesses. In our contemporary context, this great cloud of witnesses are the saints. Fr. Edward encourages people to know the stories of the saints so they can write their own story.

Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the power of faith in the midst of tragedies, how we can turn to God for hope and consolation.

Fr. Edward Looney reflects on a phrase from Francis Cardinal George's Funeral-that the only thing we take with us is what we give away. Citing the example of the priest martyr Jacques Hammel and Msgr Dennis Lally, a recently deceased priest of Green Bay, Fr. Edward relays that what matters most is how we spend our time...giving it away in service of God and neighbor.

When's the last time you slowed down to think about the words of the Our Father? It's a prayer we often--at Mass, during the rosary, and in our personal prayer. Using Luke's version of the Our Father, Fr. Edward Looney slows us down by reflecting on the meaning of each phrase in his homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time.