In this homily, Fr. Rob reminds us of the profound power of words—how they can heal, encourage, and give strength, or how they can wound and discourage. Reflecting on Jesus’ baptism and the words spoken from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” this homily explores how affirmation shapes identity and sustains us through life’s hardest moments.

Through humor, personal storytelling, and a deeply pastoral insight, Fr. Rob invites listeners to consider a life-changing question: What would God say about you? The answer offered is one of hope and reassurance—that God, like someone who loves deeply, looks past our flaws and brokenness and sees the goodness within us.

This reflection encourages us to hear those same words spoken to Jesus as words spoken to us: that we are beloved, known, and pleasing to God, not because we are perfect, but because we are loved.

In this brief but powerful reflection, Fr. Rob Howe reminds us that God’s grace is not confined to extraordinary moments of the past. The same mystery, wonder, and holiness that surrounded the pivotal moments of salvation history are continually poured out into our lives today.

Rather than trying to explain God’s love with diagrams or definitions, this homily invites us to do something far more transformative: to receive it. God’s mercy and presence are always in our midst—quietly, faithfully, and abundantly. Our call is not to dissect the mystery, but to recognize it, accept it, and respond with gratitude.

This homily is a gentle invitation to awareness, trust, and thankfulness for the grace that surrounds us every single day.

Merry Christmas! This Christmas, Fr. Rob reflects on why the genealogy of Jesus matters—and why it’s far more than a list of hard-to-pronounce names. Rooted in the reality of Jesus being born into a real human family, this homily invites us to reflect on the heart of the Incarnation: God chose to fully enter the human experience.

By becoming one like us, God didn’t remain distant or abstract. In Jesus, God knows joy and sorrow, friendship and loss, love and rejection—not in theory, but through lived experience. This profound act of love assures us that we are truly understood. God gets us because God has lived our life from the inside.

The episode also reminds us that everything Jesus asks of us—unconditional love, radical forgiveness, generosity, mercy—is not beyond our reach. Christ never asks the impossible. He shows us what is possible precisely because he lived it himself. Anchored in family, humanity, and grace, this reflection invites listeners to trust that salvation comes through one who knows us completely and loves us fully.

In this homily for the Feast of the Holy Family, we’re reminded that families—whether our own or our parish—are beautifully imperfect. With humor and honesty, this homily acknowledges what we all know to be true: every family is made up of different characters, virtues, struggles, and personalities. And that’s exactly where God chooses to dwell.

Drawing on the mystery of the Incarnation, Fr. Rob reflects on how Jesus fully understands family life—not just love and joy, but also grief, irritation, absence, and compassion—because he lived it himself. From there, the focus widens to the parish, inviting us to see the Church at its best: not as an institution, but as a family that notices, welcomes, forgives, and cares for one another, especially when someone is hurting or missing.

This homily challenges and affirms us at the same time, reminding us that being Church means belonging—even on our least lovable days—and that living as the Holy Family today means creating communities where compassion, presence, and care are truly felt.

In this reflection on Saint Joseph, we’re reminded that God often works not through spectacle, but through quiet faithfulness. Joseph never preaches, never speaks a recorded word in Scripture, and lives most of his life in obscurity—yet his willingness to listen and respond to God changes the course of salvation history.

Through humor and honesty about dreams, doubt, and uncertainty, this homily explores what made Joseph extraordinary: deep trust, attentiveness to God, and the courage to act even when the path made little sense. Joseph’s example reassures us that holiness is not about recognition or fanfare, but about steady faith lived out in ordinary, unseen ways.

This episode invites us to reflect on our own lives and recognize that every act of quiet kindness, every faithful response to God’s prompting, echoes far beyond what we can see—shaping hearts, communities, and even history itself.

Fr. Rob Howe uses an unforgettable—and very Michigan—image to explore the spiritual life: the difference between a slow-cooked venison neck roast and a microwave meal. Through humor and everyday experience, he reflects on our human impatience and our desire for instant results, especially when it comes to faith and prayer.

Drawing from Scripture, he reminds us that God’s greatest works unfold in God’s time, not ours. From the centuries-long preparation for Christ’s coming to the early Church’s longing for Jesus’ return, the message is clear: what is formed slowly, with trust and perseverance, is richer, deeper, and far more nourishing than anything rushed.

This episode invites us to let go of microwave faith and embrace the grace of waiting—trusting that God is always at work, even when we can’t see immediate results.

Fr. Rob reaches for sports analogy #39 — this time, from the Detroit Lions — to show how being underestimated can sometimes bring out our best. When expectations are low, the Lions play harder, dig deeper, and surprise everyone. But when they start believing their own hype… things get shaky.

With a surprising parallel, Fr. Rob reflects on how the same pattern has played out in religion throughout history. From the Pharisees and Sadducees who became comfortable with power, to the early Church after Constantine, the temptation to self-righteousness has always been present. The moment faith becomes a tool for control rather than mercy, corruption and finger-pointing take over.

Today, he challenges listeners to resist this same trap — especially in a time when Christians have cultural power and influence. Instead of judging and calling out others, the Church is called to return to John the Baptist’s mission: repent, see differently, and proclaim God’s mercy.

The true work of Christ always turns outward — toward the poor, the forgotten, the struggling, and those most in need of compassion. Advent invites us to dig deeper, not in self-importance, but in humility, mercy, and mission.

In this First Sunday of Advent homily, Fr. Rob invites us to embrace the season with eager anticipation—just like hearing “keep your fork” after a big meal. Advent reminds us of two profound truths: Christ already dwells among us, and He will come again in glory. Discover how we can prepare our hearts, share our gifts of compassion and mercy, and participate in building the Kingdom of God. This message is a call to live with hope, generosity, and readiness for the joy that is still to come.