Sunday Thoughts From Fr. Edward Looney

St. Paul tells us we don't know how to pray as we ought, so the Spirit prays through us. For the Spirit to intercede for us, we need to give God time for prayer. Fr. Edward Looney addresses three self-examining questions about prayer: when should I pray; where should I pray; how should I pray?

St. Benedict says, "Listen carefully, incline the ear of your heart." Jesus says, "Whoever has ears ought to hear." Fine tune your spiritual hear to the voice of God. Don't ignore God's prompting in your heart.

I am sure at some point in your life a child has said something so profound that you were taken aback. This is particularly true when it comes to our faith and belief in God. Fr. Edward Looney reflects in his weekend homily on this reality-we have a lot to learn from children.

Fr. Edward Looney delivers his first homily for the parishes located in Brussels, Lincoln, and Rosiere. The readings, which dealt with hospitality, were appropriate for his first weekend at the parish. In his homily, Fr. Looney reflects on how we are called to live the scriptures we hear each weekend. This weekend is no exception.

Fr. Edward Looney began his assignment at St. Raphael the Archangel Parish on July 1, 2015. Two years later, he says good-bye to his parish family in order to assume leadership in two other parishes. In his finaly homily, Fr. Looney reflects on how he has been aware of Christ with him during his two years of ministry. Not only has Christ been with him, but He is also with you like a mighty champion.

The feast of Corpus Christi makes us uniquely Catholic. Yet only 30% of Catholics believe in the real presence. How can we foster a deeper Eucharistic belief and devotion? Fr. Edward Looney suggests three ways that can strengthen our belief in the Eucharist.

Our recent liturgical celebrations focus on the second and third person of the Blessed Trinity. But what about God the Father? In his homily for Trinity Sunday, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on how we ought to pray to the Father. The Church, Jesus himself, and St. Paul are all witnesses of this way of praying. Toward the end of the homily, Fr. Looney proposes why we might be hesitant to call on God as Father.

In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on three individuals filled with the Holy Spirit--Mary, Elizabeth, and St. Phillip Neri. These three individuals can inspire us, as we strive to become like the disciples, who were filled with the Holy Spirit on that first Pentecost.

How is Jesus with us until the end of the age? Fr. Edward Looney seeks to answer this question in his Ascension homily.

Have you ever been put on the spot? What about for your faith? How have you responded? Fr. Edward Looney challenges the listener to always be ready to give a response at a moments notice.

Fr. Edward Looney connects the gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A to the centennial celebration of the Fatima apparitions. What do they have in common? Jesus and Mary desire heaven for us!

Fr. Edward Looney asks the congregation what they would talk about with Jesus if they walked with him. What questions would they ask? What might Jesus ask us? We don't have to imagine such a conversation, we can have it every day!

In psychology there is a theory called the Johari Window. I propose a spiritualization of this theory, calling it the Jesus Door. Learn about the Jesus Door and decide to open your hearts to the one who shows us mercy and peace.

Fr. Edward reflects on the meaning of Easter, looking at its etymology and how Jesus' resurrection corresponds to the Easter mystery. If you have ever wondered why the Resurrection of Jesus is celebrated on Easter, be sure to listen!

The crosses teaches us many things. On this Good Friday, we stand at Calvary as students, learning the lessons of the cross.

On Holy Thursday night Fr. Edward Looney reflects on the many ways our sins can be forgiven, all images found in our readings at Mass for the Lord's Supper.

Fr. Edward Looney first answers the question: Who is Jesus? And then proceeds to reflect on Jesus' forgiveness towards those who abandoned him on the way of the cross. Because Jesus has forgiven us, we should strive to forgive ourselves.

We hear am incredible account in today's gospel--A dead man is raise up to life at the very words of Jesus. We should take pause and ask ourselves, "Do I believe this?" We can then examine our belief one step further--Why do I believe? Our gospel hints at reasons why people believe? What's yours?

Today's gospel focuses on the Woman at the Well and her dialogue with Jesus. There is great profundity in this passage and a depth of richness. Because of its depth, it's a gospel passage we should re-visit and re-read, seeing what God wants to say to us.

Fr. Edward Looney leads listeners into a prayerful meditation on the Transfiguration in the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola.