"I also admonish and exhort the brothers that in their preaching their words be studied and chaste, useful and edifying to the people, telling them about vices and virtues, punishment and glory; and they ought to be brief, because the Lord kept his words brief when he was on earth." - Saint Francis of Assisi - Chapter IX, Approved Rule
I would like to start today by reminding you, our faithful listeners and readers of our homilies, that the emphasis of this website is to proclaim the Gospel to you in a way that resonates with your lives and which the life of Saint Francis of Assisi himself can illuminate. And so we decided to call this website FranciscanPreacher.com because we would like to intersperse within our homilies examples from the life and teachings of Saint Francis.
Vorrei iniziare ricordando ai nostri fedeli ascoltatori e lettori che lo scopo di questo sito è proclamare il Vangelo in un modo che possa illuminare la vostra vita anche attraverso l’esempio di san Francesco d’Assisi. Per questo il sito si chiama FranciscanPreacher.com: desideriamo intrecciare alle riflessioni evangeliche esempi tratti dalla vita e dagli insegnamenti del Poverello di Assisi.
On this Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, our first reading is from the First Book of Kings, and one of those kings in the history of Israel was Ahab. Ahab, who got it wrong so many times. And having an evil wife, Jezebel, didn't help him either.
Nella prima lettura di oggi incontriamo il re Acab, uno dei sovrani che più spesso sbagliò nella storia d’Israele. E certamente non lo aiutò avere accanto una moglie come Gezabele. Ascoltiamo così la drammatica e tragica vicenda di Nabot, proprietario di una vigna situata accanto al palazzo reale. Acab desiderava quella vigna per trasformarla in un orto e offrì a Nabot denaro o un terreno migliore in cambio. Ma Nabot rifiutò, perché quella terra era un’eredità ricevuta dai suoi antenati e affidata alla sua famiglia da Dio.
How many times have we asked ourselves whether or not we are loved? And in more specific terms, whether or not we have been loved by God. We go through some difficult times. We pray, and we might not hear the instant reply that we desire, and so we are tempted to think that God is silent, or God doesn't hear, or we're not worth His time. And yet, over and over again, the Lord has continually proven His love for us and continually demonstrated that He wishes to love us as He wishes to be loved Himself by us. And we call this a covenant.
Nelle letture di oggi il Signore ci ricorda quanto siamo amati. Spesso attraversiamo momenti difficili e siamo tentati di pensare che Dio sia silenzioso o distante. Eppure tutta la storia della salvezza testimonia il contrario. Nel libro dell'Esodo Israele viene liberato dall'Egitto, ma Dio desidera qualcosa di ancora più grande della semplice libertà: vuole entrare in alleanza con il suo popolo. La fede non è soltanto liberazione dal peccato, ma comunione viva con Dio.
Today, on this Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church, we gather to honour one of the earliest Franciscan friars whose life was a luminous example of faith, humility, and zealous proclamation of the Gospel. Saint Anthony’s story is a testament to how one person, rooted deeply in love for Christ and His Church, can become a powerful voice that echoes through history, inspiring countless generations to spread the Word of God with fervour and compassion.
Oggi, in questa memoria di sant'Antonio da Padova, sacerdote e dottore della Chiesa, ci riuniamo per onorare uno dei primi frati francescani, la cui vita fu un esempio luminoso di fede, umiltà e zelante proclamazione del Vangelo. La storia di Sant'Antonio è una testimonianza di come una persona, profondamente radicata nell'amore per Cristo e per la Sua Chiesa, possa diventare una voce potente che riecheggia nella storia, ispirando innumerevoli generazioni a diffondere la Parola di Dio con fervore e compassione.
Peace be with you on this beautiful Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus. We remember how much God has loved us, how merciful He has been to us, and how this love will endure forever. We have beautiful readings for this liturgical Year A for this solemnity today, the first being from the Book of Deuteronomy, the second from the First Epistle of Saint John, and the Gospel from Matthew.
In questa bellissima Solennità del Sacratissimo Cuore di Gesù, la Chiesa ci invita a contemplare quanto Dio ci ama e quanto la sua misericordia rimanga per sempre. Nel libro del Deuteronomio ascoltiamo che Dio non ha scelto Israele per la sua grandezza, ma semplicemente perché lo amava. Egli ha posto il suo Cuore sul suo popolo non per i suoi meriti, ma per amore.
Saint Barnabas is an important Saint we can learn from given he was both an apostle and martyr. He is mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible. He is also known as Joseph Barsabbas (Greek: Ἰωσέφ Βαρσαββά) or Joseph Justus (Greek: Ἰωσέφ Ἰόστου). Here's what we know about him from the Bible!
San Barnaba è un santo importante da cui possiamo imparare, dato che fu sia apostolo che martire. È citato nel Nuovo Testamento della Bibbia. È conosciuto anche come Giuseppe Barsabba (greco: Ἰωσέφ Βαρσαββά) o Giuseppe Giusto (greco: Ἰωσέφ Ἰόστου). Ecco cosa sappiamo di lui dalla Bibbia:
Reflect and pray on the Word of God, and allow it to penetrate your heart as it did the Poverello from Assisi, Saint Francis. God's Word is sent to set us free, to experience life in abundance as His sons and daughters. Each week, homilies will be posted ahead of time as regards the daily mass readings! We are currently in Year B of the Liturgical Cycle.
If you were able to include anything to one of the homilies you read and reflect on in this website, what would it be? Let us know in the comment section directly beneath each homily, and we may just add your insight to it! You have a lot of wisdom to contribute. Have a look at the "How This Website Works" tab for more detailed information.
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FranciscanPreacher.com exists to draw you deeper into the living Word of God, inspired by the spirit and example of Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Order of Friars Minor. Each reflection and homily seeks to open the treasures of the daily Mass readings and to serve as a humble companion for all those who have been blessed with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
We joyfully include audio and other media to help nourish your prayer and reflection.
In the spirit of the poverty and humility of Christ — the very virtues Saint Francis cherished as his Lady Poverty — everything offered here is entirely free. This site follows the command of the Lord Himself: “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:7–8)
With joy and gratitude, we share what we have freely received, entrusting every effort to the hands of Our Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph, and our seraphic father Francis — that they may place it all into the heart of Jesus, to do with it as He wills.
Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ, now and forever. +
