WTW – What’s the Word?

Faith

FR. DON: Welcome to The Word This Week’s Sunday Podcast! We call it the WTW, “What’s the Word?” It’s all about next Sunday’s readings. I’m Father Don, and my co-host is Tonya. 

TONYA: Hey, everyone! Thanks for joining us, today.  

FR. DON: We are excited to be here with you. Every week, we’ll be diving into the Sunday readings, bringing you engaging discussions and enriching content. We hope we can enhance your understanding and appreciation of these texts; and if you just happen to be writing a homily — some inspiration!

What’s New on the Website

TONYA: Hey there, everyone! This is Tonya. Before we get started, I want to let you know about our new and improved CONNECTIONS page. We’ve incorporated cutting-edge AI generative technology to create a truly unique experience that connects the Lectionary readings to a wide range of subjects. Among them are Pastoral Counseling, Television and Movies, Light-Hearted inspiration, Catholic Prayers, and Poetry.

But it not all artificial intelligence. The page features an excerpt each week from the Life Recovery Bible, You Tube movie trailers, The Agnus Day lectionary comic strip by James Wetzstein, and poetry  from Ann Osdieck. You will also find on the page a Sunday Graphic from Fr. Richard Hoerning.  This page is definitely worth a look – make sure you check it out!

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Three Voices, One Faith

FR. DON: This week for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) among the videos featured on the front page are reflections from three speakers.

• Father Nigel Sequeira from the Archdiocese of Brisbane,
• Matthew Moore from Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity,
• Teresa Thompson, a mental health professional with seven years of experience in New York City’s public system.

Each speaker offers a unique perspective on faith, life’s challenges, and our responsibilities as stewards of the Earth.

TONYA: Father Sequeira’s Two Minute Homily focuses on the power of faith in overcoming life’s storms. He emphasizes the importance of trusting in Jesus and forming a strong relationship with Him to navigate through fear and uncertainty.

FR. DON: To underscore this point, Matthew Moore’s reflection (which is also two minutes) speaks of Jesus as the ultimate authority over the universe and the need for to view ourselves as “resurrection people,” allowing His teachings to guide our lives so that we do not live according to the flesh. In this way, Moore is able connects the second reading to the Gospel which isn’t always an easy task. 

TONYA: Just a quick note: This video from The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity features 12 stunning images that really drive home the message. One in particular that caught my attention was when the lightning bolt struck over the sea, and then transitioned into Matthew Moore’s image. It was as if the lightning bolt struck straight into his heart, a powerful visual metaphor for how the storms of life can impact us on such a deep, personal level.

FR. DON: While Sequeira and Moore both focus on the role of faith in facing adversity, Teresa Thompson’s reflection takes a different view. She focuses on climate change and our moral responsibility to address it. We’ll talk more about this perspective later in the podcast. Despite their distinct focal points, all three speakers share a common thread: the significance of faith in the face of uncertainty.

TONYA: Folks, having faith in Christ is a game changer!

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Featured Homilies

FR. DON: This Sunday on the Word this Week website, you will find many other homilies related to personal struggles and sin. Just as in the Gospel Jesus demonstrated his dominion over nature and his ability to bring peace to those who believe in him, he does the same for us.

FR. DON: Fr. Peter Hahn, in his homily, Trust in Jesus During Life’s Storms, talks about our habits that can either lead us to freedom in God’s life or perpetuate enslavement to self, as seen in the disciples’ struggle with fear, doubt, and anger in the gospel account. Fr. Hahn challenges us to trust in Jesus during life’s storms, have faith that he is with us always, and live a habitual life of grace, challenging cultural standards and embracing our vocation.

TONYA: Father Hahn’s voice is incredibly soothing. You can tell that he’s a truly authentic and genuine person, and his sermons are always like heartfelt, fatherly talks. It’s interesting to note that he was a late vocation, transitioning from a career as an attorney to become a priest. His life experience really shines through in his preaching, doesn’t it?

FR. DON: I agree, Tonya. Another great homilist is Fr. Austin Fleming. He has been doing his blog for decades, and you will find many gems in his homilies. For this Sunday, he suggests that life’s storms more often when things are changing:

• from health to sickness;
• from employment to unemployment;
• from surety to confusion;
• from marriage to divorce;
• from at-home to away-from-home;
• from a full nest to an empty nest;
• from security to fear—

FR. DON: But I think we need to be careful and not believe that it is God who brings these storms. Fr. Joe Jagodensky in his homily, Jesus and the Storm, says that, “Storms are not a God testing us as He did to Job. God doesn’t give cancer any more than He causes divorce, a lost job or alcoholism, or any storm storming over our heads.”

FR. DON: Bishop Barron, in his Sunday Sermon from 2021,  He says that although God does not cause suffering, he allows it because it is part of a complex, interconnected plan, that even though we do not understand it, ultimately leads to victory. 

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From Fear to Freedom

TONYA: One of the videos on the PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL page features a prayer by Pope Leo XIII, asking for the preservation of our faith. It’s striking to see how many of the challenges faced during his time are still present today, causing turmoil and uncertainty. Here are some example of storms that preachers may want to talk about in their homilies.

1. The erosion of faith,
2. Materialism, 
3. Social injustice,  
4. Political unrest, and
5. The threat of war,

FR. DON: We could spend an entire podcast on each of these topics. But listen up folks, the message is clear for you, Taylor and myself—for all Catholics and Christians: When we face turmoil, we can turn to Jesus for peace and guidance. Storms are a part of every one of our lives, from childhood through old age. It’s natural to question God’s presence during difficult times.

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CLIMATE CHANGE

TONYA: Teresa Thompson in this week’s Catholic Women Preach video, draws parallels between biblical stories and our current reality, noting that both Job and the disciples experienced tragedies that made them realize their vulnerability and witness God’s power. Similarly, those in positions of privilege today must recognize that humanity is not in control of the earth but rather subject to its forces.  Hence, addressing climate change requires a transformative shift in our economies, energy production, and daily habits, which may cause chaos but is essential for our survival. Thompson explains that both chaos and order can lead to experiencing God, urging us to embrace the duality of life and trust in the promise of renewal.

FR. DON: Pope Francis would agree with her. Are you familiar with his encyclical letter Laudato Si’?

TONYA: Yes, it calls for action on climate change and the protection of the environment.

FR. DON: That is a major storm brewing on all fronts, both religious and political. In this week’s PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL section, one of the videos featured is a documentary titled “A Message for Our Earth: The Letter.“

TONYA: “Laudato Si” is Italian for “Praise Be to You.”

FR. DON: In the documentary, four voices that have gone unheard in global conversations have been invited to an unprecedented dialogue with the Pope.

TONYA: That’s all for this week. There is so many other good sources. We just don’t have time to highlight all them.

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A SHOUT OUT FOR ONE OF THE “NEGLECTED PAGES” OF THE WEBSITE

FR. DON: One final word, though. One section of the website does not get very many visitors, the NEWS AND PERIODICALS page. And I am not exactly sure why.

TONYA: It might be that people are jaded these days when comes to politics. But there is so much more on this page.

FR. DON: Good preachers are able to connect what is going on in the world with the Gospel. The feeds are updated daily for the following sites: Our Sunday Visitor, National Catholic Reporter, National Catholic Register, L’Osservatore Romano, and Catholic World Report.

TONYA: Bye for now, untill next week. May your week be filled with many blessings.