Fr. Mark Bernhard's Homilies

2020-05-28 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - The Odor of Disunity

In the 1st reading, we see the Scribes and Pharisees fighting with one another so much that their eyes are taken off their mission. Jesus knows we have this tendency toward in-fighting—whether that be in politics, in the church, in families, etc.— so he prayers for unity. This kind of in-fighting takes our eyes off the mission. Fr. Mark challenges us to consider if our words sow seeds of unity or disunity in our relationships and community.

2020-05-26 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Do you seek God’s approval or Man’s approval?

Having the approval of others is good, normal, and healthy. However, the craving for approval can turn harmful. Many of us are slaves to what others think of us. Father Mark encourages us to stay rooted in the reality of Jesus; that the heart of Jesus knows each of us. The pull to seek the praise of men falls to the wayside the further rooted we are in the reality that we are His.

2020-05-21 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - We All Need the Tag Team of Aquila and Priscilla

In our 1st reading (Acts 18:1-8) Paul, while in Corinth, meets a married couple named Aquila and Priscilla. They were a great help to St. Paul in his ministry and did much in spreading the Gospel. Father Mark gives us three takeaways from the things we know about this power couple.

2020-05-19 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - The World Needs Bridge Builders

Paul and Silas are thrown into a cell and their feet shackled (Acts 16:22-34); they served as a bridge for the jailer’s conversion. Father Mark explains the need for pre-evangelization in the world today. People need shallow entry points where they can establish trust and thereby have their hearts ready to encounter Jesus.

2020-05-17 Fr Mark - 6th Sunday of Easter - Do You Have Michael Jordan Intensity?

We are intense and passionate about a lot of different things. How intense are we toward the things most important? Father Mark encourages us to have a Michael Jordan intensity with keeping God number one and family number two. Given the anti-Christian creed in the world, he offers suggestions in seeking help. Father Mark explains that the most powerful help at our side is the Advocate which Jesus promises us in today's Gospel.

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John 14:15-21

Below are the items Father refers to
_Marriage Course page which has the video he refers to and registration link https://olmercy.com/mc/ [Starts Friday 5/22 @ 7:30pm]

_Virtual Narthex Small Groups After Mass [Starts Sunday 5/24 right after Mass]
Keep an eye out for the sign up to be released this week.

_Bible Study on: Jesus: the Way, Truth & Life [Starts Tuesday 5/26 @7pm]
https://study.ascensionpress.com/studies/…/registrations/new

_Bible Study on: The Bible Timeline Study [Starts Wednesday 6/3 @pm]
https://study.ascensionpress.com/studies/…/registrations/new

 

2020-05-15 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Work and Love

In today's homily, Father Mark explores God’s command to work and His command to love. He explains that both commands bring with it the desired result. 

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Saint Isidore & John 15:12-17

 

2020-05-12 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Encouragement Anyone?

Encouragement Anyone?
Our 1st reading today (Acts 14:19-28) is flooded with encouragement. It’s amazing how little encouragement we need to keep persevering. Father Mark exhorts us to encourage others today and to be encouraged by Jesus’ words in the gospel.

2020-05-09 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - The Cry of Every Human Heart

In our 1st reading (Acts 13:44-52) we hear that “almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” The people’s hearts were moved the following Sabbath and want to hear more of the power of the Gospel. This is the same cry we hear from Philip in the Gospel when he asks Jesus to show him the Father. Father Mark encourages us to pause today in order to rest in the trinitarian love our hearts were created for.

2020-05-07 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Will You Be Ready To Swing?

Today we hear Paul given the opportunity to share the gospel with the Jews in the Synagogue (Acts 13:13-25). The ball was placed on the tee for him to swing, and swing he did. When our children or grandchildren ask us why they have to go to Mass, will we be ready to swing away?

2020-04-16 Fr Mark - Easter Thursday - Wounds, a Badge of Honor

When given to Christ, your wounds become a Badge of Honor

Today we hear from Luke’s account of Jesus appearing to the apostles. Father Mark explains why the resurrected Jesus still has His wounds. May we also be quick to show our wounds to Jesus; they then become a badge of honor to show a hurting world.

2020-04-07 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Lean Back Into Jesus

Lean Back into Jesus’ Chest. Father Mark contrasts Peter and John’s reaction in the face of fear. Peter’s fear caused himself to distance himself from Christ. John leaned back into Jesus’ chest. Father Mark encourages us to spend time today imagining ourselves resting our head on Jesus’ chest.

2020-04-05 Fr Mark - Palm Sunday - Center Stage

Center Stage

There is a tragic element to our humanity. Father Mark reflects on how pain and suffering seems to be taking center stage these days. Jesus’ passion and death speaks into the tragedy of our humanity. Father Mark encourages us to watch Jesus closely this week as He takes center stage and goes to work.

2020-05-05 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - What Are We Suppose to Look Like?

What Are We Suppose to Look Like?
Today we hear (Acts 11:19-26) what the early church looked like. Church communities were formed by individuals responding to the gospel. Hearts were pieced and convicted which led to different living from the world. Is that what our parishes look like today? Does Our Lady of Mercy look that way? Father Mark encourages us to be the change when we come back to church.

2020-05-04 Fr Mark - 4th Sunday of Easter - Weak Spots in the Wall

Weak Spots in the Wall

Even though Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ victory over Sin, Death, and Satan, the battle continues. Satan lurks around like a thief, looking for weak spots in our wall in order to break in and cause havoc. Father Mark explains that the Good Shepherd comes with his rod and staff in hand to protect and heal us by His wounds.

2020-05-02 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Difficult Teachings

Difficult Teachings

Not much has changed over the years, difficult teachings of Jesus don't become less difficult as time goes on. Many leave the church because of church teachings that are hard. Father Mark encourages us to double down, reflect deeply on John 6 with Jesus, continue to believe in, and grow our devotion in Him, in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

2020-04-30 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Manna and God’s Initiative

Manna and God’s Initiative

In today’s gospel, Jesus refers to manna. Father Mark explains how manna was miraculous food given by God to sustain the wandering Israelites. The manna is a prefiguration to Jesus’ own flesh He gives to sustain us on our journey.

2020-04-28 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Stop and Think

Stop and Think

If the crowd would have just stopped and thought, they would seen the mighty works of God. Father Mark explains how important it is in the spiritual life to ‘stop and think’. We tend to move throughout the day so fast that we don’t realize God’s love for us; we even move fast through prayers, not thinking and expecting the Spirit to come. The gift of the Holy Spirit is always available to us if we would just stop and think.

2020-04-27 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - What’s Essential Anyways?

What’s Essential Anyways?

Father Mark describes how the locked church doors are an image for modern man casting God as non-essential. When God is viewed as non-essential, sadness, and despair reign. In the Gospel today, the two disciples find themselves saddened before Jesus restores their hope. Father Mark gives two challenges to share the gospel to those who are searching for answers in this time of the pandemic.
For further reflection, please see the following Scripture verses he points to:
Acts 2:32 “God raised this Jesus; of this we/I am a witnesses”
1 Peter 3:15 "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;"
Luke 24

2020-04-25 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Stay Connected.

Celebrating the Feast of St. Mark gives us an opportunity to recall the communion of Saints. The victory of Christ death and resurrection has been realized, but the trials of life continue. Father Mark encourages us to tap into the fellowship of the Saints while in lockdown. Take a listen.