WTBH #159: Are We Honoring a Building?

The dedication of the Lateran Basilica is a celebration of God's works, not ours. Fr. Brian explains.

WTBH #158: Purgatory and All Souls

Fr. Brian discusses how the doctrine of purgatory relates to the feast of All Souls.

WTBH #157: Redering unto Cesar and God

Fr. Brian reminds us that our lives bear the image of God, and therefore must be rendered unto God.

WTBH #156: The Royal Wedding

Fr. Brian comments on Jesus' parable of the royal wedding, and the need for us too approach the King's wedding wearing the proper garments.

WTBH #155: No Fair! He Got the Same as Me

Fr. Brian speaks of the parable of the workers in the vineyard, explaining why we should rejoice, rather than shout "No Fair!"

WTBH #154: Exalt the Cross

Fr. Brian preaches on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

WTBH #153: The Cost of Discipleship - The Cross, Our Hope

Jesus informs us if we are to follow Him, we must take up our cross. Peter is scandalized by the news that Jesus will have to suffer and die and becomes an obstacle to Christ. Fr. Brian explains that the Cross is not a scandal to Christians, it is our hope. Through suffering we unite ourselves with Christ, and thus point to a reality greater than this world.

WTBH #152: The Church – Our Boat in the Storm

The Church, even though she is buffeted and tossed about by the stormy winds of the world, still remains as the vessel commissioned by Christ to carry His disciples to safety. And during this 4th watch, the 4th era of salvation history, Jesus Himself enters the boat.

WTBH #151: Feeding on the Eucharist

The feeding of the 5000 is not about sharing, as has been articulated in many contemporay homilies, but is deeply Eucharistic as Fr. Brian Carpenter explians in this homily.

WTBH #150: From Weeds to Wheat

Fr. Brian preaches on the parable of the wheat and the tares, emphasizing that when we become apathetic in our faith, we give the enemy a chance to sow weeds among the wheat.

WTBH #149: Tilling the Soil

Fr. Brian encourages us to till the soil of our hearts by removing the rocks and thorns that prevent the Word of God from taking root and producing grain a hundred fold.

WTBH #148: Peter, Paul and the Priority of Christ

Fr. Brian preaches about the priority of Jesus on the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul.

WTBH #147: Binding Power of the Spirit

Fr. Brian speaks of the Holy Spirit's ability to bind us more closely to Christ, and to His body, the Church.

WTBH #146: Pray with One Accord

Between the time of the Ascension and Pentecost, the Church urges us to follow the example of the Apostles, who prayed with one Accord. Fr. Brian speaks of the importance of praying with one accord as we say "Veni Sancti Spiritus - Come, Holy Spirit."

WTBH #145: Loving Christ and Knowing His Commands

Jesus says, "If you love me, you will keep my commands." But how do we know Christ's commands. After all, Jesus never left us with a written text (or even a YouTube video for that matter). Fr. Brian explains that we can know Jesus' teachings through the Catholic Church.

WTBH #144: Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

Jesus reminds us that if we have faith in Him, we need not let our hearts be troubled. Fr. Brian explains how our faith in Christ helps us face the many situations that often cause our hearts to be troubled.

WTBH #143: Know the Voice of Christ

Fr. Brian reminds us that we cannot follow the voice of Christ if we first do not know His voice. How do we come to know his voice? We come to know His voice through the teachings of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

WTBH #142: Christ In Our Midst

Fr. Brian speaks of the necessity of recognizing Christ in our midst, especially in the presence of the Eucharist.

WTBH #141: Saints, Mercy and Indulgences

Fr. Brian speaks of the newly canonized Ss. John XXIII and John Paul the Great during his Divine Mercy Sunday homily. He also speaks of the power and beauty of indulgences.

WTBH #140: Alleluia! He is Risen!

Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! Fr. Brian's homily from Easter Sunday speaks of the implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

WTBH #139: Holy Thursday

Fr. Brian speaks about the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood and the universal call to service.

WTBH #138: Come and See: Encountering Christ

Fr. Brian speaks about the Samaritan woman's encounter with Christ at Jacob's Well, and shows that it is an archtype for our encounter with Christ, and a model for the NEw Evangelization.

WTBH #137: Be Not Afraid!

Fr. Brian Speaks of the way in which the Transfiguration shows us the glory of God, and that seeing this glory should prent us from being afraid of preaching the Good News taught by Jesus Christ and His Church

WTBH #136: Resisting the Devil's Temptations

Fr. Brian explains how the Lenten practices of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving can help us to resist the temptations of the devil and grow closer to Christ Jesus.

WTBH #135: Trust in God

Fr. Brian reminds us that God knows what is good for us, and that He wills what is good for us. He urges us to trust in God.

WTBH #134: Turn the other Cheek! Uphold Your Dignity!

Is Jesus asking us to become doormats, allowing ourselves to be abused? Fr. Brian offers a deeper reflection on Christ's teaching on turning the other cheek.

WTBH #133: Salt for the Earth

Fr. Brian speaks of our need to be salt for the earth by proclaiming the Gospel in BOTH word and deed.

WTBH #132: Sacrifice in the Temple

Fr. Brian speaks about the Presentation of the Temple, and the Body of Christ as the new temple, the new place of proper worship.

WTBH #131: Division in the Body of Christ

St. Paul addressed the Church in Corinth regarding division and rivalries. Fr. Brian addresses these same concerns in the Church today.

WTBH #130: Behold Life, Our First Civil Right

Our civil rights are based on the dignity of the human person, which is rooted in God. Therefore, we, like John the Baptist must point to God (in the person of Christ) as the source our dignity, and the reason we respect human life.

WTBH #129: The Beloved of God

At Jesus' baptism, a voice declared "This is my beloved son," revealing Jesus' true identity. We are adopted into this identity of the beloved through our own baptism, as Fr. Brian explains.

WTBH #128: Gaudete and Evangelism

Rejoice in the Lord always! Fr. Brian speaks of rejoicing as we await the coming of our savior!

WTBH #127: Waiting with Joy

Fr. Brian speaks of the joyful anticipation that marks the Advent Season in light of Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel).

WTBH #126: Marriage and the After Life

The Sadducees did not believe in life after death (Perhaps this is why they were sad, you see) and used marriage as a prooftext for their belief. Fr. Brian preaches how Jesus' response shows that marriage is actually a foretaste of the after life in which we are children of God.

WTBH #125: Salvation Has Come to This House

Fr. Brian speaks of Zachaeus' encounter with Christ as an archetype for every sinner's encounter with Jesus. When we encounter Jesus, He brings about a profound transformation in our lives, such that we want to make fourfold reparation for our sin.

WTBH #124: Unprofitable Servants

Fr. Brian reminds us that if we are servants of the Lord, we must serve Him rather than expect Him to serve us.

WTBH #123: Faith in Action

Fr. Brian reminds us that we cannot grow complacent as others around us suffer, but that our faith must move us to a deep concern for others.

WTBH #122: Accepting God's Mercy

Fr. Brian speaks of the different reactions to God's mercy, as seen in the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son (Prodigal Son). He notes that our human reaction to God's mercy is quite different from that of the Angels and the heavens.

WTBH #121: Hating Family and Following Jesus

Jesus often spoke hard messages. Often times we have a tendency to "domesticate" Jesus (to borrow a term from Fr. Robert Barron) by ignoring or dismissing his tough teachings. Fr. Brian suggests that instead of doing this, we should assess whether we have the fortitude to follow the real Jesus.

WTBH #120: The Narrow Gate and Salvation

Jesus instructs us to strive to enter through the narrow gate. He also warns us that many will strive to do so but will be too weak. Thus, Fr. Brian speaks about the importance of getting Spiritually fit, so as to be strong enough to enter through the narrow gate.

WTBH #119: Getting to Heaven & The Fire of God's Love

Jesus says he has come to cast down fire on the Earth and to bring not peace but division. Does this sound like the God with whom you want to spend eternity? Fr. Brian reconciles the image of a Loving God with a God who throws down fire upon the Earth. He challenges people to conform to what is good, beautiful and true so as to become holy.

WTBH #118: Work for Excellence

In today's Gospel, Christ instructs His disciples to be found hard at work. Fr. Brian insists that this is not for God's benefit, but in order for us to achieve excellence; to reach our fullest potential.

WTBH #117: Amass Treasure Important to God

The 18th Sunday of Ordinay Time (Cycle C) prompts us to reflect upon whether we are accumulating only material wealth, or weather we have amassed treasure that matters to God. Fr. Brian Carpenter preaches on this theme.

WTBH #116: Teach Us to Pray

Fr. Brian preaches on St. Luke's account of the Our Father. He places particular emphasis on keeping God's name Holy.

WTBH #115: Martha, Mary, Mission and Mass

Fr. Brian speaks of the encounter with Martha and Mary and reminds us that it is only by entering into union with God that our missionary work and charitable acts have true purpose.

WTBH #114: The Samaritan, The Pope and The Immigrant

Pope Francis recently commented on immigration in terms of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Fr. Brian reflects upon the popes provoking words. He also speaks of how the parable of the Good Samaritan calls us away from apathy and towards preaching the Culture of Life by restoring the dignity of each individual person.

WTBH #113: Sowing God's Word of Peace

In the Gospel Jesus sends 72 disciples, instructing them to carry no money, no sack and to wear no sandals. Fr. Brian discusses the seriousness and rigor of being a disciple, as well as the mission to sow God's word and bear God's divine Peace to the world.

WTBH #112: Demands of Discipleship

Fr. Brian speaks of how disciples must be willing to patiently endure trial, as well as place Christ above every other obligation in their life (including those that cause us to leave Mass early).

WTBH #111: Christ, Chefs, and Disciples

Fr. Brian speaks about the identity of Jesus, why he rebuked his disciples and told them to tell nobody about his identity, and the importance of disciples to proclaim the Gospel in the face of persecution.

WTBH #110: Confronting Sin

Fr. Brian preaches on the necessity of confronting our own sinfulness in order for us to truly love others.

WTBH #109: Disciples of Christ

Fr. Brian preaches on discipleship using St. Paul as a model.

WTBH #108: Trinity Sunday

Fr. Brian speaks about the way in which the theology of the Holy Trinity calls us to enter into relationships of self-giving love.

WTBH #107: The City of God

Fr. Brian speaks about the new Jersusalem and it's parallels to the Catholic Church as the proper place of worship.

WTBH #106: As I Have Loved You - A Lousy Homily

While a 2 year old considered the topic lousy and favored a homily on Notre Dame, Fr. Brian rejected this opinion and preached on Christ's new command to love.

WTBH #105: Follow the Good Shepherd

Fr. Brian speaks of the importance of shepherds in the Church. He focuses on the importance of having good shepherds in our churched, while also reminding us of the importance of following the true shepherd of the Catholic Church – the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ Himself!

WTBH #104: Politics, Proms and Obedience to God

Fr. Brian discusses the necessity to "obey God rather than men." He explores this teaching in light of three incidents where the Catholic Faith has been marginalized: The discussion around the DOMA and Proposition 8 Case, the NY State Women's Equality Act, and the McQuaid Prom. Fr. Brian reminds us that the early Church faces similar societal issues, and overcame them through fidelity to authentic Church Teaching, and he urges us to do likewise.

WTBH #103: Divine Mercy

Jesus reveals God's Divine Mercy by responding to human sin with the words, "Peace be with you."

WTBH #102: Christ Overcomes the Dark Forces

Alleluia! He is Risen! Jesus overcame every dark force that enslaved humanity, and showed that His life is more powerful than all the forces of darkness combined! Alleluia!

WTBH #101: Holy Thursday

Fr. Brian's homily from Holy Thursday speaks about the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, and the universal call to service.

WTBH #100: Adultery and Change of Heart

Fr. Brian Carpenter discusses St. John's account of the Woman caught in adultery. In this homily he reminds us that Jesus came for the salvation of all (including those wishing to stone the woman). He speaks how Jesus' non-violent yet provocative response calls people to conversion - to a change of heart.

WTBH #99: God Saves in the House of Anguish

Fr. Brian offers insight to St. John's account of the resurrection of Lazarus, and showing that God does not rejoice in our human suffering, but rather saves us from our house of anguish.

WTBH #98: Repent! Cultivate the Soil

Fr. Brian preaches about the need to cultivate the soil in our lives by repenting, avoiding sin and living by God's commands in this Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent.

WTBH #97: Samaritans and Evangelization

Based on the Cycle A reading of the Samaritan woman at the well's encounter of Jesus, Fr. Brian discusses the importance of this encounter for Catholics as they embark on the NEw Evangelization.

WTBH #96: Knowing Christ in the Eucharist

Fr. Brian speaks of how the Transfiguration helps us to properly identify Jesus. Once we properly understand who Jesus is (God incarnate, dwelling among us) we seek relationship with Him, which ultimately leads us to the Eucharist.

WTBH #95: Desert Temptation and Papal Resignation

On Monday, Feb 11, 2013 Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would be resigning the Papacy. Fr. Brian discusses this monumental decision in light of the Gospel reading on the Temptations of Christ.

WTBH #94: Vocations vs. Careers

Fr. Brian Carpenter speaks about the difference between vocations and careers, reminding us that we are all defined not by what we do, but by who we are in relation to Christ and others.

WTBH #93: God's Promise to His Prophets

Fr. Brian Carpenter's Homily for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time speaks of God's promise not to leave His servant crushed, a promise fulfilled in the cross and resurrection. We too must be prophets in the world, confident that we will not be crushed.

WTBH #92: Remember Who You Are

Fr. Brian Carpenter reminds us of the importance of knowing our Catholic identity less we fall into the trap of the Israelites. Knowing our true identity is the only way we can fully live out God's covenant of love.

WTBH #91: An Epiphany

Fr. Brian speaks of the Magi as a model for Christian Evangelization.

WTBH #90: What Should We Do?

Fr. Brian Speaks about the Gaudéte Sunday and the Scripture readings in light of the Massacre that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. He discusses how Catholics can respond to the darkness that seems to permeate our world.

WTBH #89: Joyful Anticipation

Fr. Brian discusses Advent as a time when we await the Parousia (the second coming of Christ) with great joy.

WTBH #88: Christ the King of the Universe

Fr. Brian Carpenter discusses the implications of the Kingship of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

WTBH #87: Bottoming Out

The examples of 2 widows show us that when we bottom-out, God enters into our lives and calls us to become people who give of our very self.

WTBH #86: The Meaning of Life

What is the meaning of life? Fr. Brian Speaks about the Jewish Shema and the meaning of life.

WTBH #85: The Priority of Christ

Fr. Brian talks about the rich young man and our need to place Christ at the center of our lives.

WTBH #84: The Dignity of Marriage

Fr. Brian tackles the readings from the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, readings that many found quite difficult. He shows that while the teaching of Jesus may be difficult, Jesus points is to the great dignity of the sacrament of marriage!

WTBH #83: The Way of the Cross

Fr. Brian speaks about the way of suffering, the way of the cross, as being the way that leads to true greatness and true happiness.

WTBH #82: Opening to the Truth

Fr. Brian Carpenter discusses our openness to the Truth of the Gospel, and to the Truths of the Catholic faith. He calls each one of us to a greater holiness by opeing our hearts to the Truth that is Jesus Christ.

WTBH #81: Catholicism and Bad Habits

Fr. Brian discusses some of the bad habits that we Catholics fall into, and how scripture condemns these habits by urging us to life our faith, which can only be done if we first know our faith.

WTBH #80: You Gotta Serve Somebody

Fr. Brian Carpenter reflects upon Joshua's imperative, "Decide today whom you will serve." Do we serve the Lord, the devil or ourselves? Do we walk away from Jesus, as the disciples did, or do we accept that He has "the words of everlasting life," as did Peter and the Apostles. We must all decide today whom we will serve.

WTBH #79: Bread of Life as the Case for Orthodoxy

Fr. Brian discusses the Bread of Life Discourse as the case for orthodox belief in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

WTBH #78: Our Hearts Are Restless

Fr. Brian Carpenter discusses how Jesus is the only food that can satisfy us. Without Jesus, we will never be satisfied, and our hearts will be restless.

WTBH #77: Insufficiency Superabundance

Fr. Brian speaks about the miracle in the feeding of the 5000, and the message that God can take our human deficiencies and turn them into a superabundance.

WTBH #76: Preach the Gospel Boldly

In the face of the HHS Mandate that threatens our religious liberty, we need to follow St. Paul's example of boldly preaching the Gospel, even in the face of adversity and persecution.

WTBH #75: Authority and Freedom of Religion

Fr. Brian speaks of the Authority of Christ and the current attack on religious liberty in the USA.

WTBH #74: The Son of God

Fr. Brian preaches about the confrontational title Son of God as used by St. Mark.

WTBH #73: No Fair

Are God's ways unfair, or are we just taking a childish view? Fr. Brian discusses this in his homily on the laborers in the Vineyard.javascript:void(0)

WTBH #72: 77 Times Vengeance, 77 Times Forgiveness

On this 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001, the scripture readings speak of forgiveness. Fr. Brian shows how 77 times mercy is called for in lieu of 77 times vengeance.

WTBH #71: A Suffering Faith

Jesus informs His disciples that following Him entails embracing the cross. Fr. Brian extrapolates on the notion that Jesus did not come to take away our suffering, but our sin in this homily.

WTBH #70: Who is Jesus?

Fr. Brian Carpenter preaches on the central question of our faith, who is Jesus? Is He a prophet? Is He the Son of God, and if so, what does that mean for His Church and those working against it?

WTBH #69: The Canaanite Woman

Jesus's encounter with the Canaanite woman shows us how we must turn our back on the idolatry and to seek out Christ and plead to Him for the salvation of the world.

WTBH #68: The Fourth Watch

We're living in the 4th Watch, the time between the Ascension and the 2nd coming. So what happens to the disciples, happens to us. Will we be frightened by the storm?

WTBH #67: Sharing Good, Eucharist Better

Fr. Brian discusses the miracle of the loaves and fish, insisting this is not a miracle of sharing, but a miracle of being fed the bread of life, the Eucharist, by Christ.

WTBH #66: Heaven is Not a Place on Earth

Fr. Brian discusses the parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (often known as the Wheat and the Tares), and reminds us that while our desire to make this world perfect is noble, that we will never truly rid this world of evil, as Heaven is not a place on earth (apologies to Belinda Carlisle).javascript:void(0)

WTBH #65: Nurturing the Seed

Fr. Brian comments on Jesus' homily on the parable of the Sower, encouraging us to become fertile soil where the Word of God is able to grow.

WTBH #64: Revelation, Reality and Religion

Fr. Brian Carpenter preaches on the importance of objective reality as it's been revealed over subjective opinions in his homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

WTBH #63: The Eucharist Is Our Salvation

Fr. Brian preaches on the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and how it pertains to our salvation.

WTBH #62: The Father's Mansion, Our Mother's Rules

Jesus is preparing a dwelling place for us in the Father's mansion, but if we want to live in the Father's Mansion, we have to obey Mother's rules. Fr. Brian extrapolates further in this First Communion Homily.

WTBH #61: The Voice

Would you recognize Jesus' voice if you heard it? Can you distinguishing it from the media, your peers, or even your own voice?

WTBH #60: Mercy, Vengeance and Power

We often think of the use of force as a sign of power. Today Jesus shows that true power is not in the use of violent force but in the ability to show mercy. Fr. Brian's homily breaks open this theme.