Sunday Homilies

from Father Kevin Laughery, Troy St. Jerome and St. Jacob St. James Parishes, Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Note: Comments from this page do not reach me; instead, email: kl@kevinlaughery.com

The Podcasts

One of the strangest conversations imaginable comes from three men crucified together.  Christ the King rules from the instrument of his execution.

Direct download: KML_2016-11-20_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:59pm CDT

We are mortal.  We have no control over our dissolution.  We cast our lot with the Savior who reached out to us by taking mortality upon himself.

Direct download: KML_2016-11-13_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:56pm CDT

Does the promise of eternal life encourage us to suppose that the here and now does not matter?  No; for eternity is found in every passing moment.

Direct download: KML_2016-11-06_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:49pm CDT

The charming story of Zacchaeus assures us that conversion can come to our household as well.  

Direct download: KML_2016-10-30_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:40pm CDT

The homilist was away on October 9 and 16.  -- If we can offer the prayer "Be merciful to me, a sinner," and if we steel ourselves for the long haul of faithfulness, we will be properly oriented toward our God.

Direct download: KML_2016-10-23_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:31pm CDT

The homilist was not supposed to be here today: explanation is on audio.  We must struggle to see that an honest day's work contributes to the entire vision.

Direct download: KML_2016-10-02_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:17pm CDT

The rich man with Lazarus at his door: was he unaware of him?  The rich man convicts himself, demonstrating his acquaintance with this poor man.  We likewise know that Lazarus and his fellows are at our door.

Direct download: KML_2016-09-25_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:09pm CDT

Initiative: it is applied for evil and for good.  If we are dedicated to the Kingdom of God, we will exercise initiative on its behalf.

Direct download: KML_2016-09-18_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:01pm CDT

Toward the end of the Year of Mercy, we consider the golden calf, the fatted calf, butter calves, and Paul's self-description as not knowing what he was doing in his unbelief.

Direct download: KML_2016-09-11_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:28pm CDT

The homilist did not preach on August 28.  -- What does the Kingdom of God demand of us?  Great flexibility.  We think of the slave Onesimus and the sacred character of human labor.  We remember the inner struggle of St. Teresa of Kolkata.

Direct download: KML_2016-09-04_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:05pm CDT

"Enter through the narrow gate."  Jesus has gone through the narrowest gate of all: the death we all must face.  We therefore enter into the love which led him there.

Direct download: KML_2016-08-21_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:45am CDT

Looking for comfort today?  The Scriptures are more about struggle and perseverance.

Direct download: KML_2016-08-14_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 11:36am CDT

We are called to trust that our God is eager for us to enter into his Kingdom.  Faith bids us perceive that every moment of our existence is an opening into eternal joy. 

Direct download: KML_2016-08-07_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:43pm CDT

We must reconsider the fantasies our minds have woven.  We must affirm that God holds our life in his hands.  

Direct download: KML_2016-07-31_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:37pm CDT

Is it possible to bargain with God?  Abraham thought so.  Our pleading in prayer leads us to purify our intentions.  God is eager to give us the help we really need.

Direct download: KML_2016-07-24_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:28pm CDT

The homilist was away the past two Sundays.  -- Hospitality need not lead us to anxiety.  Paying attention to our guests in fact leads us to the peace of contemplating the goodness of God.  Our sufferings are united with those of Jesus.

Direct download: KML_2016-07-17_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:23pm CDT

Elisha eliminated obstacles to his answer of the call of Elijah.  We must turn from the half-hearted responses of would-be disciples of Jesus.  Renunciation leads to the deepest freedom.

Direct download: KML_2016-06-26_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:17pm CDT

Our classifying, labeling, and dismissing of people leads to such things as the Orlando mass shooting last Sunday.  Saint Paul calls for no such classifying.

Direct download: KML_2016-06-19_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:04pm CDT

Every Catholic Christian must become intimately familiar with the Scriptures.  David and Bathsheba are linked today with Jesus' proclamation of forgiveness for the woman who approaches him.

Direct download: KML_2016-06-12_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:59am CDT

Saint Paul, in Galatians, calls us to an appreciation of the ways in which God is changing and converting us.  Elijah and Jesus proclaim resurrection as they act in favor of the sons of widows.

Direct download: KML_2016-06-05_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 11:54am CDT

It is well for us to appreciate Melchizedek as a "type" of Jesus: both offer bread and wine.

Direct download: KML_2016-05-29_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 11:48am CDT

I think this is the first time I ever got an "Awww..." over something I said in a homily.  And on Trinity Sunday?!?

Direct download: KML_2016-05-22_945am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 5:35pm CDT

Our existence in the flesh is good.  Spirit supplies what we need when flesh can go no further.

Direct download: KML_2016-05-15_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 5:33pm CDT

Let us be especially aware of the description, from Hebrews, of Jesus entering the heavenly sanctuary, and know that his gift of self is utterly personal.

Direct download: KML_2016-05-08_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 5:24pm CDT

Borrowing from the Seventh Sunday of Easter, we read Jesus' aspiration "that all may be one" and consider, in light of the first reading, that unity is achieved and maintained painstakingly.

Direct download: KML_2016-05-01_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 5:21pm CDT

On love as feeling and as virtue.

Direct download: KML_2016-04-24_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 5:16pm CDT

From day to day, as in the case of the Apostles, it may seem that few are being gathered in.  We hold before us the image of the "multitude" of the Book of Revelation.

Direct download: KML_2016-04-17_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 5:13pm CDT

Love itself can be uncomfortable.  Just ask Peter.

Direct download: KML_2016-04-10_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 5:11pm CDT

I may have recorded Easter, but it may have been part of a recording which did not get shut off for hours.  -- Doing right by Thomas, and the perils of having chewing gum in school.

Direct download: KML_2016-04-03_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 8:09pm CDT

A consideration of a strange and wonderful conversation: "This day you will be with me in paradise."

Direct download: KML_2016-03-20_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 8:07pm CDT

We tend to be our own judge, jury, and executioner.  God does a new thing: setting us free from our self-imposed prisons.

Direct download: KML_2016-03-13_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 8:04pm CDT

The annoying parable of the Prodigal Son.  (I can't remember why I don't have a recording for Feb. 28.)

Direct download: KML_2016-03-06_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 7:57pm CDT

"Isn't life awful -- and wonderful?"  The Transfiguration prepares for the fullness of the mystery of death and resurrection.

Direct download: KML_2016-02-21_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 7:53pm CDT

More calls.  Our vocation is founded upon Jesus' resurrection; Paul hands on to us the testimony of the earliest witnesses to Jesus' rising.

Direct download: KML_2016-02-07_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 7:47pm CDT

An exercise in avoiding perfectionism: So what if the blog page is a little bit out of chronology?  -- The importance of feelings in human life.

Direct download: KML_2016-01-24_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 7:43pm CDT

On saving the good wine for later.

Direct download: KML_2016-01-17_945am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 7:38pm CDT

Temptation as a disordered appeal to our ego.

Direct download: KML_2016-02-14_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 7:32pm CDT

The call of Jeremiah and Jesus' rejection at the beginning of his ministry, as well as the reflection on love as the greatest gift, cause us to consider our giftedness.

Direct download: KML_2016-01-31_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 7:18pm CDT

Going deeper into baptism than the concept of "your ticket to heaven." 

Direct download: KML_2016-01-10_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 6:56pm CDT

Epiphany is always a good time to look at xenophobia.  Have you any idea why we might want to look at xenophobia?

Direct download: KML_2016_01_03_800am.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 2:58pm CDT

Presenting Scriptural proof that Mary and Joseph drove a Dodge.

Direct download: KML_2015-12-27_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:29pm CDT

Imagine the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, and consider the awareness of God's favor which these women enjoyed.

Direct download: KML_2015-12-20_945am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:27pm CDT

Joy is made of stern stuff.

Direct download: KML_2015-12-13_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:24pm CDT

In the midst of further horror (San Bernardino), we join with the ancients who longed so deeply for a straight path to God.

Direct download: KML_2015-12-06_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:20pm CDT

Embrace Advent -- the alternative to Black Friday.

Direct download: KML_2015-11-29_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:15pm CDT

What is truth?  We refrain from the cynicism of Pontius Pilate and embrace the fullness of truth to be found in our suffering servant.

Direct download: KML_2015-11-22_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:11pm CDT

The end of the world?  In light of the griefs of the past week (Paris massacres), perhaps God is giving us a chance to begin the world!

Direct download: KML_2015-11-15_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:07pm CDT

"The widow's mite" and our concerns about being good "stewards" of the temporal affairs God has entrusted to us.

Direct download: KML_2015-11-08_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:16pm CDT

The homilist was away from the ambo throughout October.  -- We consider our call to holiness as we remember Pope Francis and his evocation of Dorothy Day.

Direct download: KML_2015-11-01_800am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:55pm CDT

"Whoever is not against us is for us."  As we reflect on the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, we are to find every strength and advantage in a principle of inclusion.

Direct download: KML_2015-09-27_945am.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:31pm CDT