This homily centers on the Gospel parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, emphasizing the crucial disposition of humility required to receive God's grace and forgiveness. The Pharisee, convinced of his own righteousness, was condemned because he exalted himself and demonstrated no need for God's mercy, essentially praying only to himself. In stark contrast, the tax collector humbly confessed his sinfulness, crying out, "Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner," and was therefore justified by God. Fr. Blair connects this humble plea to the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner") and stresses that God is tirelessly forgiving, urging listeners to seek reconciliation frequently and immediately, recognizing that only the refusal to ask for mercy can hold back God's boundless love.

Homily-30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Homily-All Saints

Spiritual Cancer in the Mystical Body of Christ

A homily for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the ancient mother church and seat of the Pope. The Gospel reading recounts Jesus cleansing the temple and referring to his own body as the ultimate temple, which frames the homily's central theme. The celebration honors the People of God—the faithful who are now considered temples of the Holy Spirit—rather than merely the physical structure. This leads to a strong emphasis on the universal call to holiness and the critical need for believers to offer an authentic witness to the world, using Jesus as the model for true human excellence. Without a deep commitment to personal transformation and love, the church becomes nothing more than a system of rules and buildings. Ultimately, the homily encourages the audience to recognize and honor the sacredness of every human being as their mission to transform the world.

Homily-Feast of St John Latteran

The homily contrasts the radical individualism of Ayn Rand’s Objectivism with the Christian call to communal faith and sacrifice, framed by a Gospel reading about impending judgment and the need for perseverance. The speaker details Rand's fierce opposition to Pope Paul VI's 1967 encyclical, which warned against avarice and soul-stifling materialism as hindrances to true human development. Arguing that one cannot effectively straddle these two worldviews, the homilist stresses that a person must choose between prioritizing self-interest or committing fully to a relationship with Jesus Christ. He shares a personal anecdote, noting that reading Rand’s works—which he initially embraced—served as a crucial, horrifying catalyst for his spiritual awakening. The overarching message encourages believers to live an integrated Christian life defined by love of God and neighbor, ensuring readiness for the inevitable judgment mentioned in the day's scripture.

Homily-33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Lateran_Basilica_Your_Identity_and_Faith

Deep Dive - Ayn Rand's Objectivism vs Christian Love

This homily celebrates the Feast of Christ the King, emphasizing that it was established to recall humanity’s only hope amidst societies striving to build utopia by rejecting Christian values. The text highlights that Christ’s sovereignty is paradoxically revealed through his loving obedience and sacrifice, which transfers followers from darkness into his redemptive kingdom, as demonstrated when he offers salvation to the repentant thief. Consequently, Christians are called to profess their allegiance to Christ the King by aligning every aspect of their lives—not just private worship—with Gospel values, maintaining an integrity of being in the public sphere. Ultimately, this commitment requires active participation and a courageous public defense of faith through obedience and self-forgetting love, mirroring martyrs who died proclaiming, "Long live Christ the King!"

Homily - Feast of Christ the King

Join the quiet revolution, instead of the frenzied race from thanksgiving to Christmas, let this Advent season lead you into the best Christmas ever.

Homily-1st Sunday of Advent

The 5 minute Deep Dive Discussion of Father Blair's homily for the First Sunday of Advent 2025.

Homily-30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

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