Fr. Mark Bernhard's Homilies

2021-04-18 Fr Mark - 3rd Sunday of Easter - It’s Time To Come Out Of Hiding And Be Robustly Catholic

2021-04-11 Fr Mark - Divine Mercy Sunday - Glorious Wounds

On Divine Mercy Sunday Fr. Mark explores the question: why does the resurrected Christ still have His wounds? He looks at three of the reasons that St. Thomas Aquinas gives and how we are to look at the glorious wounds of Christ.

2021-04-21 Fr Mark - Easter Sunday - Dealing With The Deceiver

2021-04-01 Fr Mark - Holy Thursday: Power Of The Lamb

2021-03-27 Fr Mark - Confirmation Homily - Turning Outward

2020-03-24 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Sometimes It's Okay to Break the Rules

Father Mark explains to the kids at St. Mary's school that sometimes it is okay to break the rules.

2021-03-21 Fr Mark - 5th Sunday of Lent - Embrace The Process: Gethsemane Moments and Death

Our goal is to go deeper with Christ; this is a life-long process. Fr. Mark explains that the process always contains Gethsemane moments and the process must include death. As Jesus approaches His aim, He shows us how to better embrace the process.

2020-02-28 Fr Mark - 2nd Sunday of Lent- Going Deeper: The Battle of Prayer

Many parishioners took the step in the desert this past week by clearing some much-needed clutter and distractions; many were convicted that their phones and screen time keep them from going deeper. Now we go into the silence and engage in the battle of prayer. Fr. Mark gives us a tool to help us go deeper.

2021-02-21 Fr Mark - 1st Sunday of Lent - My Phone Is Keeping Me From Going Deeper!

The world is making us accustomed to staying shallow rather than going deep. We were created to go deep with Jesus, that only happens through prayer and silence. Fr. Mark invites us into the desert to clear the clutter and distractions that keep us from going deep with Christ. 

2021-01-31 Fr Mark - 4th Sunday of OT - No Authority? The Devil Runs Amuck!

In the gospel today we see Jesus teach and act with authority. Fr. Mark encourages us to submit to God’s supreme authority and then gives two practice steps to resist the devil in our day-to-day life.

2021-01-24 Fr Mark - 3rd Sunday of OT - America: Collapse or Thrive? Three Lessons We Must Learn

The city of Nineveh was on the verge of collapse due to a breakdown of the moral framework. Jonah was sent by God to preach repentance in the city. Before Jonah could go to Nineveh and preach repentance he has to learn three important lessons. Father Mark encourages us to learn these same lessons so as to bring about healing and conversion in our nation.

2020-12-27 Fr Mark - Feast of the Holy Family - Families Today Must Get Scrappy!

On the feast of the Holy Family Fr. Marks shares the importance of normalizing the faith in the home. He challenges us to consider the areas where we have not been scrappy enough.

2020-12-25 Fr Mark - Christmas - Behind Enemy Lines

God came quietly and secretively, born in disguise behind enemy lines so as to rescue us. Fr. Mark encourages everyone to take a Christmas assessment to determine what side of the line they are on.

2020-12-08 Fr Mark - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Here Is My Heel!

Fr. Mark delivers the school Mass homily to the 3rd graders on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

2020-12-06 Fr Mark - 2nd Sunday of Advent - It's Okay To Feel Bad About Yourself

The message of John the Baptist is contrary to the message of the world. Fr. Mark explains that it’s okay to feel bad about ourselves if that motivates us to get rid of the things that are bad about ourselves.

2020-11-22 Fr Mark - 34th Sunday of OT - Don't Drink the Kool Aid

Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 to respond to the rise of secularism and nationalism. The result of believing things that were not true led to a lot of death and destruction.  Fr. Mark warns us not to drink the two cups of Kool-Aid that the world is offering us right now.  We need to obey God and have the right outlook on death.

2020-11-01 Fr Mark - 31st Sunday of OT - We’re Losing Because We Have A Crisis of Heroes!

On the Solemnity of All Saints, Fr. Mark encourages us to choose wisely the heroes that we have. Heroes play a role in who we become and we all must play our part to end the crisis and become a saint.

2020-10-18 Fr Mark - 29th Sunday of OT - Jesus, Democrat or Republican?

In saying “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God” Jesus teaches that all things, even politics, ought to be informed by strong and clear religious principles. Due to sin, there are many injustices that need attention in our nation; triage is needed. Fr. Mark encourages us to think with the mind of Christ and the Church when forming our conscience for the upcoming election.

2020-09-27 Fr Mark - 26th Sunday of OT - Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Pride and laziness contributed to the Chief Priests and Elders not repenting and turning from their wickedness. Fr. Mark explains the importance of self-knowledge and 'putting in the work’ in overcoming sin and progressing in the spiritual life.

2020-09-13 Fr Mark - 24th Sunday of OT- Freeloaders Are Annoying!

There is nothing worse than receiving God’s mercy and not giving it away. When it comes to forgiving others, everything is at stake; if we don’t forgive, we don’t get forgiven. Fr. Mark explains a false notion of forgiveness and the harm it can do and offers tips to help us forgive those who have harmed us.

2020-08-30 Fr Mark - 22nd Sunday of OT - You Calling Me A BUST?!?!

Last week Jesus chose Peter to be the one to build His church on; this week we find out that Peter is a bust because he resisted sacrifice. Fr. Mark explains the harmful consequences when we don’t habitually think with the mind of God in terms of sacrifice. He encourages us to look for opportunities to daily deny ourselves so we don’t become a bust.

2020-08-18 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Hey buddy, you’re great and all, but you’re not God!

The Prince of Tyre thinks he is a God; he thinks he sits on a godly throne. Over and over again the Bible tells us that pride will destroy. We need to be given the same straight talk the  Prophet Ezekiel gives the Prince of Tyre.

2020-08-16 Fr Mark - 20th Sunday of OT - I'm a Priest and I Want to Get Married

In the Gospel today (Matthew 15:21-28) we hear a battle between Jesus and a woman where He draws her in. Fr. Mark explains the importance of expressing our longings and desires to Jesus; this battle is painful, but the battle must be routinely engaged to become whole and integrated.

2020-08-04 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Elevate the Mundane

St. John Vianney was a simple country priest, but by elevating the mundane, he was an antidote to the chaos in 19th century France. Fr. Mark challenges us to look at the mundane things in our lives and see them as opportunities to sanctify ourselves and the world around us.

2020-08-02 Fr Mark - 18th Sunday of OT - Responsibility and Dependency

The disciples feel the weight of responsibility when Jesus asks them to feed the crowds themselves. Fr. Mark explains that responsibility and dependency are two crucial components to any Christian's walk with Christ. 

2020-07-19 Fr Mark - 16th Sunday of OT - Statues Of Jesus Beheaded: Start Small, Start Somewhere

It doesn’t take much effort to notice all the evil at work in the world today. Fr. Mark explains three principles that can be drawn from today's Gospel (Mt 13:24-43) in order to combat evil.

2020-07-18 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Jesus' end goal wasn't to win arguments

In the gospel today, MT 12:14-21, we see Jesus intentionally walking away from an argument that was brewing.  Fr Mark asks us to be like Jesus towards people in our life, be it at work, at home with our family, friends and our kids wherein we see that the end goal of discourse is to aim for a healthy conversation and not arguments; conversations that lead towards the conversion of hearts.

2020-07-16 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - How Hard Is Your Bite?

In the Gospel today (Mt 11:28-30) Jesus asks us to learn from Him. Meekness is best understood as power under control. How quickly do we snap and lose control with family members? Fr. Mark encourages us to ask Jesus to harness us so we become meek.

2020-07-14 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Sorry, But You Have Major Responsibility

In the Gospel this morning Mt 11:20-24, Jesus rails off some harsh words to those who have seen mighty deeds but are still unrepentant. With every blessing comes a degree of responsibility. Fr. Mark encourages us to feel the load of responsibility so as to repent and be a saint.

2020-07-12 Fr Mark - 15 Sunday of OT - Read Your Bible! You Owe It To Yourself!

In unpacking the parable of the sower, Fr. Mark explains that if we don’t meditate regularly on the scriptures we will resemble toxic soil. Jesus is generous in giving forth His word to bring about growth and change in our lives. Fr. Mark gives three barriers that keep us from reading the scriptures: intimidation, time, and acedia. Fight through these barriers and come up with a game plan as to when you will meditate on the scriptures.

2020-07-05 Fr Mark - 14 Sunday of OT - Introduction And Taking Rest

Fr. Mark Bernhard shares brief words of introduction as he joins the St. Mary community in Mokena. Fr. Mark challenges us to take rest in Jesus by embracing His paradoxical call of taking on His yoke.

2020-06-28 Fr Mark - 13th Sunday of OT - Thank You! And Last Appeals

Father Mark shares his final words for the parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy. As he heads to St. Mary in Mokena, Father Mark offers words of thanks and gives a few last appeals based on Jesus’ words in the Gospel.

2020-06-25 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Christ’s words are to be listened to and acted upon

The siege of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. was a result of disobedience to God’s word. The lesson from today’s readings is simple: be obedient to God’s word. God’s word orders reality and is the foundation of our existence.

2020-06-24 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - You’re Thinking Too Small!

Chances are that you and I are thinking way too small on the kind of impact God wants us to make on the world. On the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist, we hear about God’s desire for his servant to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:1-6). Fr. Mark reminds us that whether we are engaged to be married or looking toward retirement, God’s plan is far greater than we could dare to imagine.

2020-06-18 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Prayer is a Battle

There are numerous things that we put a lot of effort into; how about prayer? Prayer presupposes effort. Father Mark encourages us to understand properly that prayer is a battle. The paragraphs from the catechism he exhorts us to read are 2725-2745.

2020-06-14 Fr Mark - Corpus Christi - Watching Mass from Home is Lame

On the feast of Corpus Christi, we hear Jesus tell His disciples to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Father Mark explains why watching Mass from home on a computer is lame; he offers three things for us to keep in mind as we return back to Mass.

2020-06-11 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Are you okay with not being “The Guy?”

Barnabas was the “The Guy” before fading in the background and allowing Paul to flourish. There would be no Paul without Barnabas; there would be no Paul without the humility of Barnabas.  Father Mark exhorts us to fight against any ego inside of us; to fight any desire within us that wants people to applaud us. Father Mark encourages us to pray the Litany of Humility.
https://www.knightsoftheholyeucharist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Litany-of-Humility.pdf

2020-06-10 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Don’t Straddle

In our 1st reading (1 Kings 18) Elijah asks “how long will you straddle the issue? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.” The same question is asked of us today. What parts of my heart straddle the line and limp along with different opinions? Father Mark encourages us to submit to Jesus; He is Lord.

 

2020-06-09 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - When the Brook Runs Dry

Elijah was told by God that he would be sustained after heading to Cherith. Elijah was obedient to God, yet the brook ran dry. There are times when we are obedient to God, but things still go bad. Father Mark asks us to consider what we do when the brook begins to run dry.

2020-06-06 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - St. Paul’s Last Words

In our 1st reading today (2 Tim 4:1-8) we hear from the last chapter of the last letter Paul writes before being killed. Father Mark explains that Paul’s last words to Timothy are fitting for us today.

2020-06-04 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Living Above Reproach

Living Above Reproach
In the 1st reading today (2 Tim 2:8-15) St. Paul exhorts Timothy to be "eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.” Are you living above reproach? Are there any ongoing sins in your life that would bring shame if they were made public? Our world needs people to live above reproach, doing so leads others to Christ.

2020-06-02 Fr Mark - Daily Mass - Peter’s One Thing

Father Mark breaks open the 1st reading today and explains that for Peter it comes down to one thing, sanctity!

2020-05-31 Fr Mark - Pentecost Sunday - Unleash the Beauty

In the midst of more and more ugliness in the world, one wonders how to proceed. Father Mark explains that beauty will save the world. As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, Father Mark encourages us to ask the Lord for the fruits of the Holy Spirit so as to live and act beautifully.

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.