Sermons from St. Francis
Listen to sermons and homilies from Sunday Mass at St. Francis.
Sermon for May 31, 2026
A reflection on John 3, where Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The Greek word for “again” also means “from above,” and Nicodemus could not follow because Jesus was speaking a language from above: a language of mercy, forgiveness, transformation, and salvation. Christians learn to speak that language, and it calls us to action, not silence. We should be sorry for the words we fail to say, like “I forgive you” or “I will pray for you,” because the world needs to hear the saving words of Christ.
Sermon for May 24, 2026
A reflection on John 14:15: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Jesus gathers up all 613 commandments of the law into two: love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. St. Paul and St. John show us what love means, for God showed His love in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us; and the parable of the good Samaritan shows us who our neighbor is. Keeping Christ’s commandments matters most when we are tired, busy, or in a foul mood, and the Holy Ghost offers us everything we need to live this life.
Sermon for May 17, 2026
A reflection on the words of St. John’s Gospel heard at the end of every Mass: the true light came into the world, and the world knew Him not, yet to all who received Him He gave power to become children of God. One ordinary Thursday brought reminders of how many in our culture work to push Christ out of public life and believe we can save ourselves. Yet the same day was filled with witnesses to God’s presence: a graduate’s grateful family, a sick parishioner and his faithful wife, children singing God’s praises, and an unexpected act of kindness. Many reject the Lord, but many more proclaim Him, and we are called to pray for both.
Sermon for May 10, 2026
A reflection on John 16:33: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Human history has been far more a story of war than of peace, and today we live surrounded by security checks, metal detectors, and constant anxiety. We were not created for conflict but in the image of God, and Christ came as the Prince of Peace. We catch glimpses of His kingdom when we gather in love as a parish family, and Jesus promises a peace the world cannot give: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Sermon for May 3, 2026
A reflection on John 16, where Jesus tells His disciples that He has many things to say that they cannot bear yet, and that the Spirit of truth will guide them into all truth. We do not learn goodness from school, friends, or even family alone; we learn it from the Holy Ghost. After searching for truth in philosophy, books, and the glitter of this world, we find what the prodigal son found: the way home leads back to Christ, who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The Christian life is a process of growth, from spiritual milk to spiritual meat, guided by the Spirit.
Sermon for April 26, 2026
A reflection on the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12, who builds bigger barns to store his goods, only to hear God say, “This night thy soul shall be required of thee.” We spend so much effort protecting and accumulating things we believe will make us happy, yet they rust, break, and pass away. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. True joy comes only from God, and as Jesus promises in John 16, “Ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”