Fr. AustinMar 15, 20203 minThe Best Thing to Ever HappenWhat’s the best thing that has ever happened to you? Can you think of it right now? (Husbands and wives are looking at each other...
Fr. AustinOct 27, 20194 minRemove the MaskIf you’ve ever been a patient in a hospital, you know the feeling. Weakness, vulnerability, need. The experience of illness or pain makes...
Fr. AustinOct 20, 20194 minOur BookA few years ago, there was a commercial during football games with folks gathered around a bar, or on a couch in a living room, or...
Fr. AustinOct 13, 20193 min"Where are the Others?" Where are We?“He was a Samaritan.” The sentence stands alone in the gospel today. Four words, but they say so much. This seemingly small detail in...
Fr. AustinSep 15, 20194 minRestoring DistortionsThe spiritual writer, Max Lucado, observed, “What’s the difference between mercy and grace? Mercy gave the prodigal son a chance; grace...
Fr. AustinAug 4, 20194 minFight Fear with FaithWhat was the motivating factor for the man in Jesus’ parable today? As we hear about the farmer who has a fortunate streak, his actions...
Fr. AustinJul 14, 20193 minA Dangerous QuestionScripture is full of questions – from God and from human beings. This weekend, our readings present us with more of these questions – and...
Fr. AustinJul 8, 20193 minBe SentThe kingdom of Heaven is at hand for you!” I want that to be the first thing you all hear me say! “The kingdom of heaven is at hand for...
Fr. AustinJun 30, 20193 minHow Do You Break a Hardened Heart?Terrence Murphy was born in Tallenstown, Ireland (about 7 miles southwest of Dundalk), in 1800. He married Mary Hillard, a local girl,...
Fr. AustinJun 23, 20193 minWhat Would Jesus Do?“What would Jesus do?” We’ve all heard that phrase – it’s been in Christian parlance now for about twenty years, as I can recall. The...
Fr. AustinJun 9, 20194 minSome Lessons in the Spirit Luke Skywalker, the “last Jedi,” refuses to train the young Rey who comes to him looking for guidance in the ways of the Force. He is...
Fr. AustinMay 26, 20193 minChanged for GoodThe musical Wicked tells the story of the Land of Oz before Dorothy fell out of the sky. In the story, the Good Witch of the North,...
Fr. AustinMay 19, 20193 minThe Challenge of LoveHow do we know that we are truly good Christians? Jesus gives us the best criterion today. That criterion is love. “I give you a new...
Fr. AustinMay 14, 20193 minPriesthood: The Gift ContinuesToday’s feast day teaches us a lot about the Church at work - and a lot about the gift of vocational discernment in the context of the...
Fr. AustinMay 12, 20193 minDon't Just Be a Follower; Be a Disciple“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” What does that mean to us today? What is it to be one of the Lord’s sheep and...
Fr. AustinMay 5, 20193 minAn Invitation to FriendshipWho were these guys in that boat? The gospel opens today – after the Resurrection – with Peter, James, John, Thomas, and several other...
Fr. AustinApr 28, 20193 min“We Have Seen the Lord”During the Easter season, our First Readings will focus on the Acts of the Apostles – what they did and how the people responded to their...
Fr. AustinApr 21, 20193 minEmpty, but FullWhat do you see when you look into an empty box? Nothing? That would be the first thing that would pop out of my mouth if a package...
Fr. AustinApr 20, 20193 minA Shocking NightTonight is a night to be shocked. Everything about our liturgy this evening is meant to shock us – to shake us out of the routine, of...
Fr. AustinApr 19, 20194 min“Why?”“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” The cry of Jesus in the depths of His agony is one that has echoed throughout history in the...