Fr Charbel gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Sep 04, 2024, where he reflects on a foundational question from the Baltimore Catechism: “Why did God make you?” The response—”God made me to know, love, and serve Him in this world and be happy with Him forever in the next”—is crucial to understanding the purpose of life. This answer highlights two goals: to serve God on earth and to attain eternal happiness in heaven. Keeping this purpose at the forefront of our minds helps guide all of life’s decisions. Father uses the analogy of a journey, explaining that, much like a traveler who always knows their destination, we must always keep our ultimate purpose—serving God and reaching heaven—present in our thoughts.

He emphasizes that while miracles are a means to grow in faith, they are not ends in themselves. He refers to the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15 – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?14) as an example of how a miracle prompted immediate service to God. Similarly, ministers and preachers serve as means to guide us toward God, but we should not fixate on them at the expense of focusing on Christ Himself. Father refers to 1 Corinthians 3:4 – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/3?4, where St. Paul warns against divisions caused by allegiance to specific preachers rather than to Christ.

Finally, Father encourages us to balance means and ends, always reflecting on whether our decisions help us know, love, and serve God better, with the ultimate goal of eternal happiness with Him. He prays for the intercession of the Blessed Mother, who perfectly kept her end in mind throughout her life.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Rose of Viterbo – http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13193a.htm
Readings: Wednesday in the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090424.cfm
1st: 1co 3:1-9
Resp: psa 33:12-15, 20-21
Gsp: luk 4:38-44

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Fr Charbel gives the homily at Griswold, CT, on Aug 14, 2025, on how St Maximilian’s actions proved his love, laying down his life for another. His tremendous apostolic activity was founded on prayer.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe (op 1, Wis) – Mem – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=370
Readings:  – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081425.cfm
1st: wis 3:1-9
Resp: psa 116:10-13, 16-17 0
Gsp: joh 15:12-16

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Fr Charbel gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Nov 03, 2025, on how Jesus teaches the importance of loving others selflessly, without expecting repayment in this life, to prepare for eternal union with God.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus advises against doing good only to friends, family, or wealthy people in hopes of getting something back. Instead, He calls us to love purely, without selfish motives, especially toward the poor, the overlooked, and even our enemies. This kind of love mirrors God’s own unconditional love for everyone, no matter who they are. By practicing it, we become more like Jesus, purify our hearts, and ready ourselves for the joy of heaven, where true repayment comes at the resurrection.

Luke 14:12 – NAB – Do not invite friends expecting repayment – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?12
Matthew 5:44 – NAB – Love your enemies and pray for persecutors – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?44
1 John 4:16 – NAB – God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?16
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2196 – The Love of God Calls Us to Love Neighbor – Text: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2.htm#2196
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1822 – Charity is Theological Virtue Loving God and Neighbor – Text: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1822
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2447 – Spiritual Works of Mercy Toward the Poor – Text: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a7.htm#2446
Vatican – Deus Caritas Est – Encyclical on Christian Love – https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Martin de Porres – Opt Mem – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=306
Readings: Monday 31st Week of Ordinary Time – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/110325.cfm
1st: rom 11:29-36
Resp: psa 69:30-31, 33-34, 36-37
Gsp: luk 14:12-14

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1188&r=1541

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