Recent Comments
- Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate on CHECKING THE COMPASS IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM
- Anda Sprudzs on PRAYER IS THE ONLY COURSE OPEN TO ME
- Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate on MAY GOD GRANT THAT I MAY REAWAKEN SO MANY FOOLISH PEOPLE FROM THE FATAL CARELESSNESS THAT BRINGS THEM TO THEIR DOOM
- Jack Lau on PRAYER IS THE ONLY COURSE OPEN TO ME
- Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate on PRAYER IS THE ONLY COURSE OPEN TO ME
Archives
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
Categories
Meta
Category Archives: SERMONS
A GRADUAL CONVERSION FROM SELF-FOCUS TO GOD-FOCUS
Over the months I have been exploring the spiritual journey of the young Eugene de Mazenod. From the age of 9 in exile we saw him taking his first steps of commitment in his first communion and confirmation. Then in … Continue reading
WHO IS SAINT EUGENE? EUGENE, MINISTER OF GOD-GIVEN HUMAN DIGNITY
1813: The beginning of Eugene’s preaching to the most abandoned Come now and learn from us what you are in the eyes of faith. Poor of Jesus Christ, afflicted, wretched, suffering, sick, covered with sores, etc., all you whom misery … Continue reading
ONCE YOU ARE FREED FROM SIN, LIGHT WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF THE DEEP SHADOWS THAT REIGNED IN YOUR SOULS
This is the conclusion of the sermon: a moving invitation to experience God’s love in the sacrament of confession. Having thundered at his listeners to make them aware of the seriousness of sin and provoke them to conversion, he now … Continue reading
IT IS WITH OPEN ARMS THAT THE MINISTERS OF JESUS CHRIST PRESS THEM CLOSE TO THEIR HEARTS
Eugene develops his image of the sinner being like a cart stuck in the mud that necessitates great force to get it out of the mud, and then gentleness in the confessional to begin the healing process of conversion. In … Continue reading
OUR MENACING TONE IS ONLY FOR THE PULPIT, IN THE CONFESSIONAL OUR LANGUAGE IS QUITE DIFFERENT
Eugene now comes to the practical purpose of his sermon. He has instructed, and now it is time for action on the part of his listeners; they are invited to celebrate the sacrament of confession. I find particularly touching the … Continue reading
COME, I HAVE GIVEN YOU MORE THAN ENOUGH REASONS TO MAKE UP YOUR MINDS
Eugene aims to convince his listeners to go to confession, understanding that the more they put it off, the more difficult it will be. I have chosen these two extracts because they give something of a feel for the images … Continue reading
COME AND SHOW YOUR WOUNDS TO THE ONLY DOCTORS WHOM GOD HAS ESTABLISHED TO CURE THEM
The sermons at the Madeleine were Lenten in character to prepare his listeners for Easter resurrection. After the first sermon where Eugene had laid the foundation of their dignity in the eyes of God’s love, his themes for the following … Continue reading
COME AND BE RENEWED IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN THE CHURCH
Eugene’s listeners at the Madeleine are invited not only to receive the Word of God, but to enter into deeper relationship with God through all that the ministry of the Church offers them. “Our churches are your places of refuge. … Continue reading
COME AND LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD PLACED WITHIN THE GRASP OF THE SIMPLEST
Eugene continues to express his joy, “I cannot help being touched when I see the eagerness of the poor to hear my voice” and explains his approach to preaching. He is imitating St. Paul and wishes to preach the Gospel … Continue reading
MY VOCATION TO BE THE SERVANT AND PRIEST OF THE POOR TO WHOSE SERVICE I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DEVOTE MY WHOLE LIFE
Four weeks later, Eugene begins his Sunday Lenten sermon to the poor in the Church of the Madeleine with a heartfelt expression of gratitude to his listeners for the way in which they have been receptive to the message he … Continue reading