The Homilies of Father Merkley
By Rev. Fr. Gregory Merkley
You can learn more about Father Gregory Merkley at: www.frmerkley.com
The views expressed on this podcast are those of Father Gregory Merkley, and are not necessarily those of the Diocese of Hamilton.
The Homilies of Father MerkleySep 16, 2021
How to Bear Much Fruit (5th Sunday of Easter, Year B)
How to Bear Much Fruit (5th Sunday of Easter, Year B)
Being a Good Shepherd - Good Shepherd Sunday (4th Sunday of Easter, Year B)
Being a Good Shepherd - Good Shepherd Sunday (4th Sunday of Easter, Year B)
Your Friend Jesus wants to Drive (3rd Sunday of Easter, Year B)
Your Friend Jesus wants to Drive (3rd Sunday of Easter, Year B)
What is Divine Mercy Sunday? (2nd Sunday of Easter, Year B)
What is Divine Mercy Sunday? (2nd Sunday of Easter, Year B)
What is the Meaning of Easter? (Easter Sunday, Year B)
What is the Meaning of Easter? (Easter Sunday, Year B)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation - Fr. Gary Schlack (Lenten Mission Homily 3 - Solemnity of St. Joseph)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation - Fr. Gary Schlack (Lenten Mission Homily 3 - Solemnity of St. Joseph)
The Eucharist and the Holy Mass - Fr. Gary Schlack (Lenten Mission Homily 2 - Monday in the 5th Week of Lent)
The Eucharist and the Holy Mass - Fr. Gary Schlack (Lenten Mission Homily 2 - Monday in the 5th Week of Lent)
The Shroud of Turin - Fr. Gary Schlack (Lenten Mission Homily 1 - 5th Sunday of Lent)
The Shroud of Turin - Fr. Gary Schlack (Lenten Mission Homily 1 - 5th Sunday of Lent)
God Wants you to be Happy - How? (4th Sunday of Lent - Laetare Sunday - Year A readings)
God Wants you to be Happy - How? (4th Sunday of Lent - Laetare Sunday - Year A readings)
What are the Church's "Scrutinies"? Scrutinizing our Hearts - 3rd Sunday of Lent (Scrutiny Readings from Year A)
What are the Church's "Scrutinies"? Scrutinizing our Hearts - 3rd Sunday of Lent (Scrutiny Readings from Year A)
How You Can Never Be the Same Again - 2nd Sunday of Lent (Year B)
How You Can Never Be the Same Again - 2nd Sunday of Lent (Year B)
Live Lent to the Full - 1st Sunday of Lent (Year B)
Live Lent to the Full - 1st Sunday of Lent - Year B
Lent Can Make Us Happy (Preparing for Lent) - 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
Lent Can Make Us Happy (Preparing for Lent) - 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
God Desires to Heal You - 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
God Desires to Heal You - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Jesus' Authority and Your Participation in the Mass - 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
Jesus' Authority and Your Participation in the Mass - 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
You and the Bible - 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
You and the Bible - 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
What Exactly is "Ordinary" Time? - 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
What Exactly is "Ordinary" Time? - 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
Stars - Epiphany (2024)
Stars - Epiphany (2024)
Christmas Homily (2023)
Fr. Gregory Merkley's Christmas homily for 2023!
Sock Monkeys and Spiritual Joys - 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B (Gospel and Homily)
Sock Monkeys and Spiritual Joys - 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B (Gospel and Homily)
The Priests People Want, Advent Wisdom from Monsignor Earl Talbot - 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B
The Priests People Want, Advent Wisdom from Monsignor Earl Talbot - 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B
Three Comings of Christ & Being Spiritually Awake (Homily) - 1st Sunday of Advent Year B
What are the 3 comings of Christ?
True Humility (Gospel and Homily) - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
True Humility
- What is true humility?
- What is false humility?
- What are the extremes we might be tempted to move in as regards this virtue?
- Is God calling you to grow deeper in humility?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on August the 28th, 2022, 22nd Sunday of Ordinary time, Year C.
What's it Like for the Priest to Hear Confessions? (2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C)
- What makes for a successful Lent?
- Why is Confession not so scary?
- Is Confession in the Bible, and why is it a thing?
- What is it like for a priest to hear confessions?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on March 13th, the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary time, Year C.
What's Love (and Marriage) Got to Do With It? - 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
- Who would you say is the most perfect married couple you've ever seen? Why?
- Why does the Church give us 'ordinary time' in the Church's liturgical year?
- Does God wants to be closer to you than even the closest spouses?
- How can my relationship with God get better?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on January 16th, 2022, the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C.
St. Cecilia and the Beauty of Virginity
- What is often considered the most venerable and traditional of the Eucharistic prayers?
- What did St. Cecilia do that made her special?
- Why does the Church praise virginity so much?
- Where is God calling you to live your vocation more generously?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 22nd, Memorial of St. Cecilia.
Does Jesus Christ the King Have Your Car Keys? - Last Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B (Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)
- What did you become at your baptism?
- What is the solemnity of Christ the King really about?
- When did you give Jesus your car keys? Does He still have them?
- Where is God calling you to live as more surrendered to Him?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 21st, Solemnity of Christ the King (Year B)
Standing Up Against Evil and Remaining Faithful
- What is the context for the recent liturgical cycle of 1st readings?
- How do certain Jews respond heroically to being persecuted for their faith?
- How do you respond when your faith is under attack?
- How can you be more like Sts. Peter and Paul?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 18th, Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.
The Radical Christianity to Which You Are Called
- What does a 'radical Christian' look like?
- What did St. Elizabeth of Hungary do that was great and radical?
- How are you called to be radical in following Jesus?
- Do you always let Jesus 'reign over you' as today's parable shows He wants to?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 17th, 2021, Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.
The Examples of Eleazar and Zacchaeus
- What do you call a group of people gathered in prayer like Zacchaeus?
- What do Eleazar and Zacchaeus teach us today?
- How are you called to please God more in your life?
- How is God inviting you to imitate Eleazar or Zacchaeus?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 16th, Tuesday in the 33rd Week of Ordinary Time (B1)
Living in the Present Moment - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
- What do the readings invite us to ponder today?
- How does God want us to use our time?
- Do others know you as a person whose time is generously available for others?
- What is the Holy Spirit inviting you to see about how you use the time you have?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 14th, 2021, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.
St. Josephat, True Ecumenism
- St. Josephat came into union with the Catholic Church as an adult. Do you know anyone else who has done that?
- What is 'ecumenism' aimed at? (Hint: John 17:21)
- How should our relations be with other types of Christians?
- How does this teaching help us 'be ready' for Christ's return?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 12th, 2021, Friday in the 32nd Week of Ordinary Time (Year B1)
You may read more information on this topic here:
Directory for Applying Ecumenism: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/directory-on-ecumenism-2345
St. Martin of Tours and Remembrance Day
- What resource did Father Merkley recommend to use for listening each day?
- Who is St. Martin of Tours?
- How does his story connect with what we remember today?
- What is the true war that alone can end all other wars?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 11th, 2021, the memorial of St. Martin of Tours and Remembrance Day
The Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran
- What is today's feast all about?
- Who gave the land for this beautiful basilica?
- What does Jesus call us to be in today's Gospel?
- Who is the most perfect example of what the Church is called to be, both individually and corporately?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 9th, 2021, the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
God's Cheque and Your Cheque - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
- If God made out a cheque to you, what would He write down (what did He write down)?
- If God gave you a blank cheque to give back to Him, what would you write on it?
- What does God want most of all from each one of us?
- What do the readings today say to us about being generous with God?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 7th, 2021, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.
Being More Shrewd than the Worldly, for More Noble Ends
- What does the parable of the unrighteous steward teach us?
- What does it mean to be "shrewd"?
- How is God calling you to be smart, clever, and work intelligently to live and proclaim the Gospel?
- What does St. Gaudentius say about this parable?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 5th, 2021, Friday in the 31st Week of Ordinary Time (B1).
The Lost Cat Story - God's Crazy Love
- What does the story about Fr. Merkley's lost cat tell us about God's love? (PS - Father found that cat later on and it was all good!)
- What have you lost that was dear to you, and how did it make you feel?
- How can God's love for you excite your love for Him?
- How does this connect with who we pray for this month?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 4th, 2021, the memorial of St. Charles Borromeo.
How and Why to Become a Saint (All Saints Day)
- What is today's solemnity of 'All Saints' all about?
- What does it mean that the Church calls all of us to be saints, and to be holy?
- How do the beatitudes show us a path towards holiness?
- How can you receive the graces you need to become a saint as well?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on November 1st, 2021, the solemnity of All Saints.
The Lord's 'Tools' for Helping Us Love - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
- What is the greatest commandment of all, according to Jesus?
- What does it mean to love, according to St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine?
- What tools does God have in His 'toolkit' to help us to love better?
- How does Fr. Greg's multitool help us understand how God works in our lives?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 31st, 2021, 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B.
When the Holy Spirit Touches You - Sts Simon and Jude
- Have you ever 'happy cried' at someone's kindness to you?
- How does our heart become transformed to be more and more like Jesus Christ's?
- How did the Holy Spirit work in the lives of Sts. Simon and Jude?
- How is God calling us to become instruments of God like them?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 28th, 2021, feast of Saints Simon and Jude, apostles and martyrs.
What's the Greatest Fight You've Ever Been In?
- What does Jesus mean when He says, 'Strive to enter by the narrow door' in today's Gospel?
- Does anyone really 'coast' into Heaven?
- Who wants us to get to Heaven the most? Is it ourselves? Other people?
- What does it mean to be "In Christ"?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 27th, 2021, Wednesday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time (B1).
The Spiritual Lessons of Sunglasses - 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B
- Why does Fr. Merkley use sunglasses as a prop for today?
- How does God look on those who have special crosses?
- How is God inviting us to have 'new vision', to see with Christ's eyes?
- How does this new vision bring new joy to those around us?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 24th, 2021, 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B.
Why Would Jesus, the Prince of Peace, say He Came to "Bring Division"?
- Why would Jesus, the 'Prince of Peace', say in today's Gospel that He "came to bring division"?
- What is the cause of that division?
- What does that division look like?
- How should we understand our response to it?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 21st, 2021, Thursday in the 29th week of Ordinary Time, B1.
Being 'Ready' for Christ through Meditating on Christ's Passion
- Have you noticed much division lately?
- What is the real cause of all the division in the world?
- Why does St. Paul of the Cross think we should meditate on Christ's Cross?
- How and why will this help us be alert, and bring peace and healing to a troubled world?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 19th, 2021, memorial of St. Paul of the Cross (Readings from Tuesday in the 29th week of Ordinary Time, B1)
A Kerygmatic Prop - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
- What is the prop Fr. Merkley used in this homily, and why?
- What does it mean that Jesus gave Himself to be a 'ransom for many'?
- What is a fantastic summary of the Catholic faith?
- What are the main elements of the Gospel?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 17h, 2021, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B1)
Justification by Grace - Participating in the Divine Nature
- How does the Lord justify us?
- What does it mean to be justified?
- How does one get to share in the "divine nature"?
- What does sharing in that divine nature really look like?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 14th, 2021, Thursday in the 28th week of Ordinary Time (B1)
Why and How Brokenness is Now Part of Humanity
- What does St. Thomas Aquinas say about why and how humans are 'broken' since the fall of Adam and Eve?
- What is one of the symptoms of this brokenness, in relation to how we are tempted to put on a show for others without true faithfulness to God?
- Is God capable of healing us in our brokenness?
- What means does God use to heal us from this brokenness over time?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 12th, 2021, Tuesday in the 28th Week of Ordinary Time (B1)
Thanksgiving Day - Use Your Blessings the Way God Wants You To
- What blessings have you received from God? How many have you received?
- How is God inviting you to be attentive to and use the blessings you've received?
- What mistake does the Gospel's parable show the rich farmer made?
- Is God always your number #1 priority, or do your blessings sometimes take priority?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 11th, 2021, which is Canadian Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Through the Christian Lens - 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B
- Should our thanksgiving be annual, or often?
- How can we understand the essence of gratitude?
- Are you aware that everything you have is a gift?
- How does Jesus invite us to be made ready to receive eternal life?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 10th, 2021, 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend)
The Rosary, the Great Gift
- What does Fr. Gregory Merkley think about the rosary?
- What is so special about the rosary?
- What do the saints and the Church say about the rosary?
- How should the promises of Mary to those who pray her rosary inspire us to pray it more faithfully?
This is a recorded homily from Fr. Gregory Merkley, delivered on October 7th, 2021, Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.