Sunday and Daily Mass Homilies by Fr. Aristotle

8/27/25: St. Monica’s Hope, Our Hope

Wednesday Mass. St. Monica. 
In this homily, I reflect on the faith and perseverance of St. Monica, who never gave up praying for her husband and son, St. Augustine. Even when years went by without change, she trusted that God saw her and heard her. Like Monica, we are invited to keep praying for our loved ones with confidence, knowing that God’s presence is always with us—even in the darkest times.

8/26/25: Seen, Known, and Loved by God

Tuesday Mass. 8.26.25.
In this homily, I reflect on the truth that God knows us completely—our hearts, our struggles, our joys, and even our hidden battles. Like the young woman who asked me, “Does God know me?”, we are reminded through Psalm 139 that the Lord sees every step of our journey and calls us to bring our hearts to Him. Even when it feels hard, He knows us, loves us, and leads us closer to Himself.

8/25/25: Facing the mirror of truth

Monday Mass 8.25.25.
In this homily, I share a moment when God confronted me about judgmental thoughts and reminded me of my own weakness. It was a stern but loving call to humility and to see the truth in the mirror of the cross. Pride and self-love can easily take root in us, but God invites us to let Him root them out through His grace.

8/22/25: Queen Mother

Queenship of Mary. 8.22.25

8/20/25: Grace Beyond Fairness

Wednesday Mass. 8.20.25.
In this homily, I reflect on Jesus’ parable of the laborers in the vineyard. God’s ways often surprise us because His generosity goes far beyond human ideas of fairness. No matter when we come to Him, His love and mercy are abundant and freely given. Join me as we explore what this parable teaches us about trust, gratitude, and the gift of God’s grace.

8.18.25: Learning from Israel’s Story

Monday 8.18.25.
In today’s homily, I reflect on the story of Israel and the cycle we see repeated again and again: God blesses His people, they turn to idols, they repent, and He shows mercy. At first, it is easy to wonder how they could fail so often—but then God invites us to look in the mirror. We too fall into cycles of sin, repentance, and blessing. Pride, comfort, fear, possessions, or even the smallest attachments can become idols that keep us from God. And so we hear the same Gospel question: “What else do I lack?” The Lord calls us not just to follow the commandments, but to surrender everything that keeps us from Him, so He may lead us to eternal life.

8/15/25: Mary, the New Ark of the Covenant

The Assumption of Mary
In this homily, I share why Mary is at the heart of our Catholic faith. From her role as the Mother of God to her place as the new Ark of the Covenant, Mary isn’t a distraction from Jesus—she always leads us closer to Him. I also reflect on how her Assumption reminds us that we, too, are meant for heaven, body and soul. My prayer is that each of us can grow in a real relationship with Our Lady, who desires nothing more than to bring us to her Son.

8/13/25: Jesus’ Three Steps to Reconciliation

Wednesday Mass. 8.13.25.
In this homily, I share a lesson from my seminary spiritual director, Fr. Eugenio, who once told me that gossip is like “dropping bombs.” We’ll explore why Jesus gives us a better way—His three-step path for addressing conflict with love, honesty, and prayer. This is an invitation to trade hurtful words for healing ones, and to remember those who’ve drifted away from the Church in our prayers.

8/11/25: Saint Clare: Embracing Faithfulness in Everyday Life

Monday Mass. Feast of St. Clare. 
In this homily, we delve into the inspiring story of St. Clare, who chose a life of radical poverty and devotion to God, influenced by St. Francis. Despite family pressures, St. Clare renounced her wealth and led a community dedicated to living out God's plan with unwavering faith. This homily reflects on the cyclical nature of faith and blessings, urging us to embrace our daily struggles with steadfast faithfulness and the teachings of Deuteronomy.

8/10/25: Are You Ready for Eternal Life?

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
In this homily, I reflect on the fleeting nature of time and the importance of preparing for eternity. I share stories from my experiences as a priest, including moments of great loss and the message of vigilance in the gospel. I encourage you to examine your heart and ask, 'Am I ready for the Lord?'