Tron and Ascension

Feast of the Ascension - What is the Ascension and how can we allow our thoughts, words, and actions ascend to the heavenly realm together with Jesus."

Good Shepherding

The Fourth Sunday of Easter - On Good Shepherd Sunday we look at mothers, Jesus, and the new pope."

The Third Time

The Third Sunday of Easter - When Jesus appeared for the third time the events teach us a lot about discipleship and Jesus' plan for us and his Church."

Presentation of Jesus

Feast of the Presentation - What the various characters in the Gospel of Luke have to teach us about faith and life."

Jesus' Baptism, Jacob, and Us

Baptism of the Lord - Why was Jesus baptized? What does it mean for us and how does Jacob's wrestling story reflect about our baptism."

Shepherds Respond in Faith

Christmas - What faith and responding in faith meant to the Shepherds and what it means to us this Christmas."

John the Baptist's Advice

Third Sunday of Advent - The second week of John the Baptist, he has some advice for us to practice as we wait for the Lord's coming."

Jesus' Teaching for Advent

First Sunday of Advent - As we begin the new liturgical year and season of Advent, Jesus reminds us of how we can make it fruitful and what to avoid."

The Scribes and the Widow

Thirty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - The contrast between the scribes who used their position for self gain and the widow who used her positiong to be generous and trust God is a reflection for us to see how Jesus was and a call for us to live as he lived."

Love God as Jesus Wants

Thirty First Sunday of Ordinary Time - When Jesus says to love God with our whole Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength, what does he mean and how can we do that?"

Marriage and the Pastoral Plan

Twenty Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time - We look briefly at marriage as following the Lord's will and then introduce the parish's Pastoral Plan."

James and Faith

Twenty Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time - Let's look at the Epistle of St. James and see what he has to say about how to live our faith."

Living from the Inside

Twenty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - What is the meaning of clean and unclean and the various parts of the Law that regulated it with purifications and rituals? What did Jesus mean when he said we should be more concerned with what comes from within?"

Eucharistic Preaching Series IV

Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time - This week is part four of a preaching series based on the Bread of Life Discourse. This week we focus on practical application of the Eucharist in the life of Christ."

Eucharistic Preaching Series III

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time - This week is part one of a preaching series based on the Bread of Life Discourse. This week we focus on the liturgy and worship we offer in the Eucharist."

Eucharist Preaching Series II

Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - This week is part one of a preaching series based on the Bread of Life Discourse. This week we focus on the theology of the Eucharist."

Eucharist Preaching Series I

Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - This week is part one of a preaching series based on the Bread of Life Discourse. This week we focus on the history of the Eucharist."

College and Seminary

Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - The pattern of life contains work and rest, ministry and retreat. Ultimately our resting and working for Christ finds its purpose if we allow Jesus to care for us and be our Good Shepherd."

Family and Familiar

Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - Why did Jesus' own people not know him? Do we really know him and how can we learn from his humility?."

A Friday Homily

For various reasons my Sunday homilies have not been recorded. Here is a daily Mass homily that you might like to hear. Daily Mass homilies are more spontaneous and shorter."

Authority, Mission, and Signs in the Ascension

Feast of the Ascension - As Jesus assumes his power and glory he does so encouraging us all to live under his authority, accepting his mission, and seeing his great signs. Also, Happy Mother's Day!"

Vines and Marriage

Fifth Sunday of Easter - How the vine and the branches gets lived out in marriage and religious practice."

Boys, Spiders, and Nuns

Second Sunday of Easter - What three movies have to do with Jesus' plan and what it means for us."

Cross My Heart

Fifth Sunday of Lent - Why the cross matters and what it demonstrates"

Job and the Answer

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - What was Job addressing and how was it different than our 21st century world? Is there an answer and how is Jesus the best answer to the problem of evil?"

The Magi and the Three Kings

Feast of the Epiphany - Who were the Magi, what are the traditions around them, and what do they tell us about faithful living?"

Advent and the Eucharist II

2nd Sunday of Advent - Preparing for the coming of the Lord and a continuation on the four part series on the Eucharist. This week is what the Church, Catechism, and Vatican II teach us."

The Oil in the Lamp

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - The signs at Sinai point to Jesus who calls us to do what he asks, worship, and share in our communal responsibility."

Wayne, Fathers, and Humility

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Jesus' teaching on humility helps us to focus on God and others in our lives, live out a spiritual fatherhood, and avoid the pitfalls of selfish living."

The Two Sons and Obedience

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "The parable of the Two Sons speak of the value of obedience and how the lowly deliver far beyond their capacity when God asks us to be obedient to his will and we follow him. This happens through listening, love, worship, and service. Prayer, in particular listening prayer, is key. I'll offer an example of how to pray in this way."

Blessing in the Vineyard

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "The parable of the Workers in the Vineyard help us to understand that we don't deserve more, that God's generosity is his perogative, and we all have been blessed."

Forgiving God, Neighbor, and Self

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "The parable of the unforgiving steward reminds us of the hard work of forgiveness. Let's do our part to forgive in the way that our God asks."

Games, Gossip, Giving, and Glory

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - "How games teach us how we should treat one another, avoid gossip, and help each other to be more Godly."

Get Behind Me!

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Why did Jesus tell Peter, "Get behind me Satan!" What does following the will of the Father mean and how do we do it?"

Jesus' plan at Caesarea Philipi

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - "The backdrop and plan at Caesarea Phillipi."

How We Can Walk On Water

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Jesus walks on water and invites Peter to do the same. How is this possible?"

The Weeds and the Wheat

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "How doe the parables of the kingdom help us to know what God is doing and what he is asking us to do?"

To Love God Above All

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "What does Jesus ask of us when he says we need to love him above all? What is the cost and how do we express giving?"

Why and How Do We Believe in the Trinity?

Feast of the Holy Trinity - "Why do we believe in the Trinity and how do we believe it? What's unique about Christianity and God revealing himself to us?"

Pentecost and the Spirit

Feast of Pentecost - "Who is the Holy Spirit and what has he done? What is the faith with and without the Holy Spirit?"

Faith and Mothers

Sixth Sunday of Easter - "How are we to understand 1 Peter 3:15? How do we share our faith and what advice might be helpful to do it? Finally, Mother's Day!"

Second Sunday of Easter

Second Sunday of Easter - "The second week of Easter highlights Jesus' mercy and St. Thomas as a person of seeking faith."

Easter and Why We Believe

Easter Sunday - "The resurrection is a bold claim. Why do we believe in it and why does that matter?"

The Triumph of the Cross

Palm Sunday - "The coins Judas is paid reflect how people misunderstood Jesus' infinite Sacrifice. The mockery reflects how people didn't understand Jesus' greatness. Psalm 22 reflects that Jesus knew he would triumph. The passion shows us that Jesus willing gave himself to us in an infinitely valuable sacrifice that brings his triumph to our salvation."

A Friend in Jesus

Fifth Sunday of Lent - "Jesus' love and friendship of Lazarus reminds us to know Jesus as our friend so we can see him for who he truly is. He wants to reveal himself to us, raise us up, and set us free. What a friend we have in Jesus."

Tragedy, Free Will, Growth, and Faith

Fourth Sunday of Lent - "How does suffering, God's goodness, and free will work? What can we do to grow in our faith?"

Lent and the Gulags

First Sunday of Lent - "How abandoning himself to the will of the Father helped Jesus to accomplish why he was sent and what that says to us as we begin Lent."

What Being Perfect Means

7th Week in Ordinary Time - "Continuing the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs us to be holy, perfect, and merciful like our Heavenly Father."

Magic Sauce, Salt, and Light

5th Week in Ordinary Time - "How can we be salt and light and how can we avoid obstacles that keep us from being that. Awesome spaghetti sauce shows us how."

Special Podcast - A Teaching on Mary

"Who is Mary? What does the Bible say about her and what does the Church teach? What about apparitions and the theology of why she matters? This is a brief talk that touches upon those and other matters. It isn't an exhaustive teaching, but one that might be helpful as we prepare with her this Advent for the coming of Jesus."

The Importance of the Trinity

Feast of the Holy Trinity - "The Feast of the Trinity is more than just a definition of God. It helps us to know how to enter into relationship with God in a way that would not be possible with other concepts of God."

The Ascension

Feast of the Ascension - "Jesus doesn't ascend and disappear. He is with us always and we can live rooted in him and his Gospel as well as be the light to others."

The Council of Jerusalem

Sixth Sunday of Easter - "What does the Council of Jerusalem teach us about authority and the universal nature of the Catholic Church?"

Love of Things

Fifth Sunday of Easter - "Jesus tells us to love one another as we love him. What does that mean?"

Go Fish

Third Sunday of Easter - "Doing what is right and saying what is true is important. Our worship is a response to that and Jesus' response to us builds our relationship with him."

Easter Sunday - Jesus Saves

Easter Sunday - "How the resurrection saved the world, people, and us."

Palm Sunday and Crowds

Palm Sunday - "Why did the crowds who were at first praising Jesus later come to shout for his crucifixion?"

The Woman Caught in Adultery and Us

5th Sunday in Lent - "The story of the woman caught in adultery and the details tell us who Jesus is and what he offers us. Our response is important."

The Prodigal Son and Us

4th Sunday in Lent - "Looking at the three primary characters in the parable of the Prodigal Son helps us to understand how we should approach our relationship with God and one another."

Moses and Theophany

3rd Sunday in Lent - "How God manifests himself to Moses and others throughout history show us how we can allow him to show himself to us. How does God interact with his creation and why did Jesus need to help people of his age to see how conversion is the proper response to tragegy?"

Keep on Truckin'

2nd Sunday in Lent - "The cross and the glory go together. In the Transfiguration we find that Jesus' words to his disciples also speak to us. We can imitate his life in our faith."

Cana and the Deeper Context

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - "The miracle of Cana tells us something about Jesus as Messiah as well as gives us a good lesson as people of faith. We too can be obedient to the life of faith while basking in the good things of God."

Baptism of the Lord and Us

Baptism of the Lord - "What baptism is, what it does, and why it matters. "

Epiphany and Contrast

Feast of Epiphany - "The story of the Epiphany and the contrast between Herod and the Magi."

Christmas in New Guinea

Christmas - "Why did God choose Shepherds and what can we learn from Peanuts and hidden tribes in Papua New Guinea?"

Jesus Coming and Our Response

First Sunday of Advent - "What is Advent and what does it teach us? How can we better prepare for the coming of the Lord?"

Suffering and Glory

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - "What does it mean to be a suffering yet blessed disciple? What can we learn from the lives of Jesus and the saints?"

Love, Love, Love...

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - "What does it mean when Jesus tells us to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength? More than you think."

Confidently to the Throne

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Hebrews tells us to come confidently to the throne of Jesus for mercy and grace. Why would we want to do that and how?"

Marriage and Natural Law

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Natural Law helps us to understand what Jesus was getting at when he answered the Pharisees' question about marriage and divorce. What does the fuller message of Jesus' response tell us?"

Who Is the Real Jesus and Church?

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Lessons from 9-11 and scandals. Who is the real Jesus and what is the real Church? It is in knowing Jesus by how he reveals himself to us. Then it is in his presence and action in the world. We as his disciples are called to know this and do what he asks."

Opening Ourselves to Christ and His People

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Opening ourselves to God so we can receive his Word and Life. Avoiding partiality. Don't buy into the sell job by the media, politics, or educational institutions who claim we are enemies with other people."

The Assumption and Us

Feast of the Assumption - "What is the Assumption and why does that matter to us?"

The Bread of Life

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Jesus as the Bread of Life makes himself accessible to us if we see him with the eyes of faith."

Four Stages of Discipleship

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Discipleship is spelled out by being excited about what God is doing, counting the cost, resting in Christ, and stepping out when we see need."

Where Prophets are Found

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "What makes a prophet different than a politician? what does a prophet do and why should we be prophets?"

Is the Eucharist Really Jesus?

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ - "What is the Eucharist and why do we believe it to be Jesus?"

Connected in Christ

Fifth Sunday of Easter - "The Vine and Branches speak about how we are best connected with God and with one another. Our culture is saying something different, but who's right?"

Knowing the Shepherd

Fourth Sunday of Easter - "Jesus the Good Shepherd knows us and he says we know him. How do we know him?"

Why Did Jesus Rise?

Third Sunday of Easter - "It's pretty clear why Jesus had to rise from the dead. The answer lies with a combination of forgiveness of sin and newness of life. Are we willing to take him up on the invitation? If so, how do we do it?"

Not So Doubting Thomas

Second Sunday of Easter - "The story of Thomas and how we can learn from him to work through doubts and return to the table of the Eucharist."

The Effect of the Resurrection

Easter Sunday - "The effect of the resurrection in history and in the lives of believers."

The Bronze Serpent and Jesus

4th Sunday in Lent - "What is the significance of the bronze serpent and why does Jesus use that image?"

How the Commandments Work

3rd Sunday in Lent - "The Commandments and the 1st and 5th in particular."

Turning to the Lord

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Turning to God in all times is a hallmark of Christian discipleship. Maturing in our faith is also a part of that process."

Baptism of the Lord

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - "What is baptism? Why did Jesus become baptized? What can we do in response to our baptism?"

Christmas 2020

Christmas Sunday - "How is it that the humility of God is the great sign that speaks loudly and gives light? What did the incarnation do and who is Jesus, really?"

What Dives Tells Us About Lazarus

The 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. "Why does the rich man have no name? What is our response to poverty and why does it matter?"

The Prodigal Son

The 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time. "What the parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us about life and life in God."

Christian Correction

23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - "What do we do when we've been wronged? How can we respond in a Christlike manner?"

Authority and the Keys

21st Sunday of Ordinary Time - "The difference between hypothetical and personal responses. What the keys mean and why that matters to us today."

Obstacles and Sowing

15th Sunday of Ordinary Time - "What are the obstacles that keep God and his Gospel away from us, and how can we be better at removing those obstacles for our sake and the sake of others?"

Billboards and Life

12th Sunday of Ordinary Time - "How Jesus' teachings give us a way to live that is not only counter to the culture but the better way to live for many reasons. We don't need to live in fear of anything in this world because our God is a God of justice and love."

The Eucharist and Life

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ - "When Jesus is with us we thrive. When he is far from us we starve. How do we experience life in the kingdom vs. life in the world?"

Patton and Testimony

"Who is Mary? What does the Bible say about her and what does the Church teach? What about apparitions and the theology of why she matters? This is a brief talk that touches upon those and other matters. It isn't an exhaustive teaching, but one that might be helpful as we prepare with her this Advent for the coming of Jesus."

The Dishonest Steward

The 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. "What is Jesus getting at with this strange seeming parable? How can we apply its principles, especially with evangelization and stewardship?"

Marriage - God's Intention and the Impossible Ideal

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. "What did Jesus teach about marriage and why? How does his teaching help us to strive toward his intention in our creation and how do we do that?"

Sodom and Gomorrah

The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. "Sodom and Gomorrah are symbolic of idolatry and a people giving themselves over to every kind of sin. How do we understand sin and how do we respond to it as Christians?"

Special Teaching - Immigration

Immigration is a hot issue today. In this special teaching, Fr. Mike explores the Bible, Church Teaching, Pope Francis, and some practical responses.

How Do We Pray?

"How do we pray? A small book by Fr. Thomas Greene gives us some good insights"

The Good Shepherd

4th Sunday of Easter. "Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He comes from a long line of shepherds in the Old Testament but he is God so he can fully accomplish what a Good Shepherd must. We also are commissioned to shepherd others.."

Is the Resurrection Believable?

Is the Resurrection Believable? "Is there evidence for our belief in the Resurrection? Is it reasonable to believe in the Resurrection? What evidence is there?"

Why Does God Allow Tragedy?

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time "Why did God allow the tragedy in Haiti to happen? Was it because he doesn't exist or isn't good? Is it punishment for sin? Or is there a greater reason? Also check out Fr. Mike's Blog on frmikewalker.com for more on this topic."

Lenten Mission - Answering the Skeptic

This week and for the next three weeks we have a parish mission The mission is partly based on the book "The Case for Jesus" written by Brant Pitre as well as Fr. Mike's own research and commentary. It is focused on giving reasonable explanations to the skeptic who might also have a bias against Christianity. How can we know and explain who Jesus was and is? How do we know that our information is accurate? Can we reasonably have confidence in what Jesus said and did? Did Jesus really claim to be God? These and other questions will be discussed."