Vehicle for Salvation

2nd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2012

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:12:10 PST

Here I Am Lord is not just a popular Catholic hymn, but a musical expression of one of the greatest stories of our Christian heritage. Today we explore just who Eli and Samuel were, and how their story still rings true today. The world needs to hear these stories and sing this song.

3rd Sunday of Advent - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:19:37 PST

An encounter with Jesus Christ can be as powerful an event as an exploding bomb. Christmas is that kind of encounter. Just as major events in history call forth new leaders, so do major events in the Church and major events in our lives of faith. Who will step up in this generation? What will this Christmas bring?

2nd Sunday of Advent - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:19:28 PST

This homily is part of a Vocation Mission given at Holy Cross Parish in Kaukauna, WI. The world is full of unique people who offer their unique gifts. The question this Christmas is not what kind of gifts you will give or receive; rather, what kind of gift will you be? Today we highlight the gift that spiritual fathers make in the Church.

1st Sunday of Advent - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:33:42 PST

The First Sunday of Advent 2011 marks the beginning of a new era in the Church. This homily was shared with the Carmelite Sisters of Denmark, WI, as we began this new liturgical year and new translation of the Roman Missal. It highlights four ways we can keep watch this Advent Season.

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:31:12 PST

There has always been a tension between the use of informal language and formal language when we pray to God. Is Jesus Christ our king, or our friend? The texts of the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal highlight Christ's rule as king, without lessening his love and friendship with us as adopted sons and daughters of God.

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:27:58 PST

What does it mean to be a useful servant? In the eyes of the world, some of the ways we live our faith might be counted as useless. Yet God calls us to serve in the spiritual realm. Today we examine the vocation of a cloistered Carmelite nun as a way of being a useful servant and showing devotion to the Eucharist.

32nd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:21:32 PST

Having recently commemorated All Souls Day, we reflect upon what happens when we die. In the Catholic world, we often speak of purgatory. How do we imagine, pray, and hope about the reality of death?

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:29:23 PDT

Priesthood Sunday. Humans have a taste for things that are authentic. We are called to be authentic disciples. St. Paul defines this authenticity for us today in his First Letter to the Thessalonians. A shortage of authenticity leads to a shortage of vocations. Let us be authentic in all we say, do, and live.

29th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:29:12 PDT

What happens when we step out of bounds? How often to we cross out of our proper realm and into the realm of sin? Jesus teaches us today that we must function and serve within our chosen vocation, and give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's.

28th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:28:40 PDT

Should we shield the children from Jesus' violent parables? Jesus' dramatic parable today is meant to elicit a dramatic response from his audience. Sometimes we must not only imagine Jesus' parables as they are being told, but also imagine the audience he is targeting.

26th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:28:33 PDT

Doing the will of the Father often means changing what we are doing right now. How resistant we are to change! We expect the world to accommodate to our needs. Rather, the essence of obedience is to accommodate to Christ and the Church. Obedience saved the world.

25th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:24:54 PDT

You cannot calculate God's justice. God's ways are not our ways. Too often we take the robotic, calculated approach to life. When our hearts are activated by the generousity of God, then we are living more fully alive and our ways conform to God's ways.

24th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:04:01 PDT

Today Peter asks about forgiveness. For Peter to ask this question, he necessarily must possess a personal struggle with forgiveness. Rightly then, he approaches Jesus for himself, as well as for the Church. On the anniversary of September 11, 2001, we are asked to step back and reflect upon the radical call to drop anger and un-forgiveness.

23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:25:03 PDT

Jesus Christ is always in our midst and calling us to go deeper into life and love. How often do we miss this reality because we are not aware of God's presence. This Gospel calls us to go deeper, and the story of a priest at a seminary will also help us all go deeper.

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:59:31 PDT

It is a natural human tendency to trade stuff. As we traveled to World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, it was normal for pilgrims to trade. What if we encountered Jesus Christ in our travels and he offered to trade with us? What could you give in exchange for your life? Take up your cross and follow me!

19th Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:49:24 PDT

Peter ventures out to "walk on water". This Gospel narrative captures our imaginations and makes us wonder if we could do the same. What does it take to walk on water? Jesus' encounter with Peter points to a time and place when we will be able to tread upon nature.

16th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 08:49:06 PDT

St. Paul reminds us that "We do not know how to pray as we ought". Given the help of the Holy Spirit, this should not bring us to despair. The real problem is that sometimes we just do not pray at all! Lack of prayer closes us off to the Holy Spirit's workings. Today's message from St. Paul is a call to prayer. Homily is given in conjuction with the 2011 Seminarian Collection.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 05:41:00 PDT

Today we go searching the streets for the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. The Trinity cannot be figured out intellectually; rather, it must be experienced. Today we reflect on the kind of love that helps us experience the Trinity and live in the fullness of God's life and love.

6th Sunday of Easter - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:20:55 PDT

This is a season of boldness. Bold flavors, and bold preaching. The Holy Spirit is the Boldness of God. As we prepare for Pentecost, are we prepared to be as bold as our early ancestors in faith?

5th Sunday of Easter - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sat, 28 May 2011 06:00:18 PDT

Building houses is part of our nature; like birds who build nests. But then again, so is longing to live in God's spiritual household. May we stir up the desire to "be built into a spiritual household" by spending time on our spiritual lives. "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places."

4th Sunday of Easter - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Mon, 16 May 2011 09:09:27 PDT

A World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Good Shepherd Sunday. The power of Peter's preaching reveals the power of the Voice of the Good Shepherd. After the Ascension, the Voice of the Shepherd still calls us especially through preaching and prayer. That Voice can cut right into our hearts.

3rd Sunday of Easter - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:18:51 PDT

On the walk along the road to Emmaus, we learn that God is always listening in on our debates and conversations. The microphone is always on. When we speak about God, or to God, then Jesus often shows up. These great truths should make us examine what-and-who we talk about. Liturgy is rightly then our great conversation with the Father, where Christ once again shows up.

2nd Sunday of Easter - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:18:42 PDT

Peace be with you! This is the most frequent phrase that Jesus utilizes. How can we be agents of peace? On this Divine Mercy Sunday, a few lessons from the saints are in order. May we all be able to say and live: Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Easter Sunday - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:50:11 PDT

This homily is part of a series given to the Carmelite Sisters of Denmark, WI. They are a cloistered order and it was an honor to celebrate the Sacred Triduum with them. Please note the audience and the setting as you listen to these homilies.

Easter Vigil - 2011

dan_schuster@hotmail.com (Father Daniel Schuster) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:49:55 PDT