“The Power of a Name” — Sermon for the XVI Sunday through the Year, A.D. MMXXV

In most cultures, it is out of the ordinary to address someone by his or her name. Instead of emphasizing the distinct individuality of each person, they emphasize the rich web of relationships that holds people together. In Spanish, we have words for relationships that we don’t even name in English. The wife of […]

“Trusting the Divine Physician” — Sermon for the XV Sunday through the Year, A.D. MMXXV

We are used to hearing the Good Samaritan story as a moral exhortation to be good neighbors. That’s a fruitful way to read our Lord’s parable, but it’s not the only way. The man is nameless. He reminds us of Adam, whose name means “earthling.” The story of what happens to this man […]

“Do This” — Sermon for Corpus Christi, A.D. MMXXV

Corpus Christi 22 June, A.D. MMXXV We rejoice today to celebrate Christ’s greatest gift to His Church: His very Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. The Scripture readings and the prayers of today’s Mass emphasize that this is not only a gift to be received, but a gift to be worshiped, and the […]

“The Charism of Celibacy” — Sermon for Pentecost Sunday, A.D. MMXXV

“We hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” As we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we have the happy coincidence of this great Feast coinciding with the ordination of two new priests in our Diocese, as well as celebrating together my tenth anniversary of […]

“Captivity Lead Captive” — Sermon for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, A.D. MMXXV

Throughout the Easter season – Paschaltide – we’ve seen the appearances of the risen Christ to the Apostles and the life of the early Church. Today we celebrate the conclusion of Paschaltide with the Lord’s Ascension into Heaven. The 40 days of celebration of Christ’s Resurrection ends with a crescendo as we sing with […]

“Of Popes and Romanness” — Sermon for the III Sunday of Easter, A.D. MMXXV

During the season of Lent, we focused on the people of Israel, our forefathers in the Faith. Now, in the Easter season, we focus on the fulfillment of the people of Israel: the Church. From the Fall of Adam and Eve, God started gathering a people to be distinctly His own (the Jewish people), […]

“As Slavery is Burnt Away” — Sermon for the II Sunday of Easter, A.D. MMXXV

During the Sacred Paschal Triduum last week, many people remarked on the ways in which we infused those celebrations with even greater beauty this year: the elevated music, the singing of the Passion and all the prayers and Gospels of the Masses, the custom-commissioned art, like this year’s Paschal candle, and many new vestments […]

“There Was No One” — Sermon for Palm Sunday, A.D. MMXXV

“My heart hath expected reproach and misery. And I looked for one that would grieve together with me, and I found no one; and for one that would comfort me, and I found none. And they gave me gall for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” “And I found […]

“Being Caught by Christ” — Sermon for Passion Sunday, A.D. MMXXV

“I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ Jesus.” Maybe the woman “caught in adulty” has not committed adultery at all. The whole episode is likely an elaborate ruse. We’re in “in the temple area,” under the watchful eyes of the Roman soldiers who were perpetually guarding the Temple precinct as the most […]

“Behold, New Things Have Come” — Sermon for the IV Sunday of Lent, Laetare, A.D. MMXXV

Today is about new beginnings. Reminded last Sunday of the importance of repentance and changing our ways – “But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” – today we rejoice with Jerusalem with the joy of the prodigal son come home. Today, Holy Mother Church […]

Father Gregerson

my homilies and other musings

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