Heart to Heart, A Catholic Media Ministry
“Go into all the world and proclaim the
Good News to all creation.” Mark 16:15
To be a follower of Jesus often requires physical sacrifice. The peace of Christ does not ensure a glamorous life but in reality may entail more physical suffering than a life given to worldly pleasures. We are called to be like St. Paul: focused on our mission to love and serve the Lord, even in…
Touching on a subject most of us would probably like to avoid, Fr. Michael explores the realm of angels and demons and the influence they have on our spiritual and eternal lives. Matthew 8:28-34 When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They…
In the midst of suffering, what is your prayer? Watch for a story on the powerful prayer of a mother who saw through the pain of suffering and found peace in the promise of eternal life. Mark 4:35-41 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to…
Remembering Fr. Jim Willig and the lessons he learned from suffering through renal cell cancer and his transformation from the physical world to the spiritual world. May his lessons learned in suffering be an aid to those suffering today. Mark 5:21-43 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a…
This short homily on the Lord’s prayer reminds us that it isn’t our will but God’s will be done. Matthew 6:7-15 Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows…
Fr. Michael looks at the struggles in the Church day, the lack of clarity between the bishops and the Pope on certain issues, and reminds us that these struggles are nothing new in the course of history. God’s work is patient work which is always a difficult lesson to learn. Matthew 5:17-19 Jesus said…
In today’s homily, Fr. Michael reminds us that our belief in Jesus and his resurrection transcends the physical suffering we might endure in this life and that we must always hope in the eternal happiness of union to God. Mark 12:18-27 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put…
We often use the words “love” and “Jesus” together. This is no accident. Fr. Michael explores the real power of the heart and the effect a loving attitude can have on us and those around us. Mark 10:32-45 The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them.…
In his farewell discourse below, Jesus prays, “that they may be one just as we are one.” Despite our differing beliefs, as followers of Jesus, all Christians are called to unite in his love. John 17:11b-19 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you…
When our suffering is too much; when life is too hard, we must remember Christ crucified and raised and unite our suffering to that of Jesus. John 16:12-15 Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,…
Tackling the age old question of why God allows suffering, Fr. Michael explores the powerful relationship between Mary and Jesus and urges us to consecrate ourselves to Mary who will in turn lead us straight to her Son. John 12:44-50 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me…
Fr. Michael reminds us that as Catholics, we have a tremendous and generous gift from God, the Eucharist, the living heart of Jesus. John 6:35-40 Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told…
Nicodemus was a believer who couldn’t meet with Jesus in public. Is your faith front and center or do you too come to Jesus by night? John 3:16-21 God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.…
Preaching on the finding of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, Fr. Michael examines what it means for Jesus to have appeared to people who knew him intimately, only for them not to recognize his physical appearance. John 20:11-18 Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into…
From Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Fr. Michael and retreatants read the Passion of Jesus and then Fr. Michael reads the homily Pope Francis gave that day in Rome. Mark 14:1-15:47 Read the full Passion Gospel according to Mark: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032821.cfm
There are many lessons we can take from this pandemic, but Fr. Michael urges us to realize that we need God and that God wants to be there for us. Jesus, in the midst of his suffering and humiliation on the cross, wants us to unite our own suffering to His. John 8:21-30 Jesus…
This is the question Jesus asks the man in today’s Gospel. But the story isn’t so simple. Jesus heals the man without waiting for an answer. Regardless of our own state, Jesus wants to heal us. John 5:1-16 There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is…
Considering Pope Francis’ recent trip to Iraq, Fr. Michael examines what it meant for Pope Francis to venture into the belly of the beast to bring hope to the Christians there who are some of the most repressed in the world. Matthew 5:17-19 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have…
Imagine the colors of Jesus’ love for you. What colors do you see? Fr. Michael teaches that there may be more colors to the love of Jesus than we think. John 2:13-25 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold…
Repentance, renewal, sorrow. Fr. Michael teaches that to repent from our sins is to be sorrowful and to ask God to renew our hearts and form them through grace and love. Luke 11:29-32 While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a…