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Homily stories

25 Aug 2019 - Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

A guy in my men’s group greets any new challenge in his life by asking, “Where’s the lesson to be learned here?” He’ll say this when things go poorly at work, when he struggles with members of his family, or even when something tragic happens. I admire his courage and resilience. There are times when I just don’t want any more of life’s “lessons.” But they continue to come. The question is what will we make of them? Saint Paul echo’s my friend’s message when he says, “Endure your trials as discipline.” Discipline is empty if we don’t learn the lesson. If you don’t get chosen for a promotion, the lesson might be that other parts of your life can provide the riches you are seeking. If someone slanders you, the lesson may be that it’s more important to be convinced inside that you are worthy than to rely on the opinions of others. I once messed up on a project at work because I had become a one-man-band, asking for no help and accepting none that was offered. Even when I saw things falling apart I simply held the reins tighter and stayed to myself. When my failure became apparent I felt horrible. I could continue on my self-destructive path or do what was hard for me: ask my colleagues for help. My failure turned into a great blessing. So when life’s trials, difficulties, and disappointments come your way, ask yourself, “Where’s the lesson?”

Authors Tom McGrath

life lessons discipline

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Homily stories

21 Aug 2022 - Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

A guy in my men's group greets any new challenge in his life by asking, "Where's the lesson to be learned here?" He'll say this when things go poorly at work, when he struggles with members of his family, or even when something tragic will happen. I admire his courage and resilience. There are times when I just don't want any more of life's "lessons." But they continue to come. The question is what will we make of them? Saint Paul echo's my friend's message when he says, "Endure your trials as discipline." Discipline is empty if we don't learn the lesson. If you don't get chosen for a promotion, the lesson might be that other parts of your life can provide the riches you are seeking. If someone slanders you, the lesson may be that it's more important to be convinced inside that you are worthy than to rely on the opinions of others. I once messed up on a project at work because I had become a one-man-band, asking for no help and accepting none that was offered. Even when I saw things falling apart, I simply held the reins tighter and stayed to myself. When my failure became apparent I felt horrible. I could continue on my self-destructive path or do what was hard for me: ask my colleagues for help. My failure turned into a great blessing. So when life's trials, difficulties, and disappointments come your way, ask yourself, "Where's the lesson?"

Authors Tom McGrath

life lessons

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Homily stories

31 Aug 2025 - Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

When he learned of his father’s death, he was 3,000 miles away. He boarded the first plane bound for his small New England town. He led a global organization based in Rome and traveled extensively, but he rarely had time to visit his family except for Christmas and the occasional wedding. As he sat in the comfort of business class, he couldn’t remember the last time he flew economy. He was the son of Polish immigrants who worked in blue-collar jobs and went without luxuries to ensure their children had excellent educations. He and his doctor brother were the proud fruits of their labors. Throughout the flight he thought of all the lessons he had learned from his dad about being honorable, respectful, and doing the right thing and from his mom about caring for others and keeping a clean house: “There’s only one way to scrub a floor,” she’d say, “and that’s on your hands and knees.” Upon his arrival, he was met by a driver who called him sir and knew his travel itinerary in advance. It wasn’t long before they turned down a familiar tree-lined street of closely nestled Queen Anne style houses. There, midblock, stood his childhood home. As he opened the front door, he was met with the smell of cookies not long out of the oven and fried onions to top pierogi his mother had surely spent hours making in preparation for his homecoming and the reception after the funeral the following day. It was late. His mother was resting. She hugged her boy so tightly he could barely breathe. She didn’t sob. That wasn’t her way. But her eyes were red and lined with circles. “So much to be done,” she said. “Mama, go to sleep now. I am here to help,” he gently replied. He walked into the kitchen, donned an apron, filled a bucket with soap and water, got down on his hands and knees, and began scrubbing the kitchen floor.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

Humility humble life lessons

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Homily stories

24 Aug 2025 - Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

A guy in my men's group greets any new challenge in his life by asking, "Where's the lesson to be learned here?" He'll say this when things go poorly at work, when he struggles with members of his family, or even when something tragic will happen. I admire his courage and resilience. There are times when I just don't want any more of life's "lessons." But they continue to come. The question is what will we make of them? Saint Paul echo's my friend's message when he says, "Endure your trials as discipline." Discipline is empty if we don't learn the lesson. If you don't get chosen for a promotion, the lesson might be that other parts of your life can provide the riches you are seeking. If someone slanders you, the lesson may be that it's more important to be convinced inside that you are worthy than to rely on the opinions of others. I once messed up on a project at work because I had become a one-man-band, asking for no help and accepting none that was offered. Even when I saw things falling apart I simply held the reins tighter and stayed to myself. When my failure became apparent I felt horrible. I could continue on my self-destructive path or do what was hard for me: ask my colleagues for help. My failure turned into a great blessing. So when life's trials, difficulties, and disappointments come your way, ask yourself, "Where's the lesson?"

Authors Tom McGrath

resilience trial Saint Paul discipline lessons

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