April 21, 2019
Jesus did not rise from the dead so that we could give each other Easter baskets and chocolate eggs! He died so that we could receive mercy and forgiveness. Mercy is the fruit of the Resurrection. When His mercy is accepted, we are re-created anew. The Resurrection is applied to our souls. But it isn't an automatic "Jesus died and I'm saved." No. We must actively accept His mercy...
If your faith is fed by these homilies, would you kindly consider helping support the Basilica? We have big goals and little in the way of resources. Your support would mean a lot. https://www.americasfirstcathedral.org/the-source-of-all-hope/
God bless,
-- Fr. James
April 19, 2019
Think someone is beyond hope? Have a loved-one who is away from God and the true Catholic faith? So did Elizabeth. Her husband hated the Church, God and faith in general. He was a radical atheist. But then this happened, and it all changed...
Here is a link to the actual story of Elizabeth and Felix: https://www.sophiainstitute.com/client/COL_ads/COL_bkst_diary.html
If your faith is fed by these homilies, would you kindly consider helping support the Basilica? We have big goals and little in the way of resources. Your support would mean a lot. https://www.americasfirstcathedral.org/the-source-of-all-hope/
God bless,
-- Fr. James
April 7, 2019
St. Augustine, St. Paul, St. Margaret of Cortona, St. Mary of Egypt and many other saints committed atrocious sins in their past. None of them were defined by those sins. Because of God's mercy, they are saints today. We are called to follow suit. They all remind us that: Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future.
My goal at the Basilica is to promote the fullness of the faith--in my preaching, teaching, worship and outreach. I want the Basilica to become a place of refuge in Baltimore. I want to show the world that simply doing what Christ asks is enough to renew a Church, a City and the World. But I need help in achieving this goal. Please read my letter below and consider supporting our efforts. Thanks and God bless, Fr. James
https://www.americasfirstcathedral.org/the-source-of-all-hope/
March 24, 2019
Jesus loves us with an unquenchable love. He wants us to love Him back. Do you love Him enough to do these 3 things? If you do, heaven awaits.
My goal at the Basilica is to promote the fullness of the faith--in my preaching, teaching, worship and outreach. I want the Basilica to become a place of refuge in Baltimore. I want to show the world that simply doing what Christ asks is enough to renew a Church, a City and the World. But I need help in achieving this goal. Please read my letter below and consider supporting our efforts. Thanks and God bless, Fr. James
https://www.americasfirstcathedral.org/the-source-of-all-hope/
March 17, 2019
Had there not been 3 feet of snow when I woke up in January 2009, I might not be a priest today. I was set to leave seminary that morning! That blizzard was a "sign" to me from the Lord that He wanted me to stay. He gives us ALL signs like that. They are are "Transfiguration" moments--meant to sustain us in times of doubt and darkness.
My goal at the Basilica is to promote the fullness of the faith--in my preaching, teaching, worship and outreach. I want the Basilica to become a place of refuge in Baltimore. I want to show the world that simply doing what Christ asks is enough to renew a Church, a City and the World. But I need help in achieving this goal. Please read my letter below and consider supporting our efforts. Thanks and God bless, Fr. James
https://www.americasfirstcathedral.org/the-source-of-all-hope/
March 11, 2019
Both Israel and Jesus were tempted in the desert. Israel professed its loyalty to God with their words. Jesus professed His loyalty to the Father (and to us!) with His actions. In doing so, Jesus showed us that true love demands action...not empty words. This Lent is our time to show (with our actions) that we love our God.
My goal at the Basilica is to promote the fullness of the faith--in my preaching, teaching, worship and outreach. I want the Basilica to become a place of refuge in Baltimore. I want to show the world that simply doing what Christ asks is enough to renew a Church, a City and the World. But I need help in achieving this goal. Please read my letter below and consider supporting our efforts. Thanks and God bless, Fr. James
https://www.americasfirstcathedral.org/the-source-of-all-hope/
March 7, 2019
Lent is a time to truly repent. Some sins (mortal sins) actually kill our soul and deprive us of God's grace. To die in this state of mortal sin is to choose Hell for all eternity. Yes, Hell is real. In this homily, I identify the most common deadly sins in our world so that all may turn away from them and choose life in God.
My goal at the Basilica is to promote the fullness of the faith--in my preaching, teaching, worship and outreach. I want the Basilica to become a place of refuge in Baltimore. I want to show the world that simply doing what Christ asks is enough to renew a Church, a City and the World. But I need help in achieving this goal. Please read my letter below and consider supporting our efforts. Thanks and God bless, Fr. James
https://www.americasfirstcathedral.org/the-source-of-all-hope/
March 3, 2019
Our hearts are like trees. Our speech is the fruit. If the tree is healthy it bears good fruit. If our words are evil (think: gossip, lies, curse words, bad jokes, put-downs), our heart is in need of healing. Here are the two things you need to do to be restored to good health...
My goal at the Basilica is to promote the fullness of the faith--in my preaching, teaching, worship and outreach. I want the Basilica to become a place of refuge in Baltimore. I want to show the world that simply doing what Christ asks is enough to renew a Church, a City and the World. But I need help in achieving this goal. Please read my letter below and consider supporting our efforts. Thanks and God bless, Fr. James
https://www.americasfirstcathedral.org/the-source-of-all-hope/
February 24, 2019
This college student's Mom, Dad, grandparents and 2 brothers were brutally murdered. Her first though was, "I hope they burn in hell." But she realized: that is not of Christ. She decided NOT to be conquered by evil. Here's how she forgave the men who killed her family. (Hint: it'll help you experience peace and freedom too...)
To support the Basilica in spreading the Gospel in Baltimore City, please click below. To be honest, I need as much help as I can get. Thanks for your generosity. --Fr. James
https://www.americasfirstcathedral.org/the-source-of-all-hope/
February 17, 2019
The fruit of suffering united to Christ's passion and death is salvation. The fruit of murder is death. As Marylander's we must speak out against the culture of death. Let's tell the delegates that represent us, we stand for life. We don't want physician-assisted suicide! Here is a link to alert your delegate:
https://stopassistedsuicidemd.org/take-action/sign-up-to-help/
To support the Basilica in spreading the Gospel in Baltimore City, please click below. To be honest, I need as much help as I can get. Thanks for your generosity. --Fr. James
https://www.americasfirstcathedral.org/the-source-of-all-hope/
