Anchored In The Lord

Fr. David Neuschwander
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Weekly homilies of Father David Neuschwander

  1. 6d ago

    What Kind of Soil Will We Become?

    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time In this homily on the Parable of the Sower, we're invited to stop asking, "What kind of soil am I?" and instead ask, "What kind of soil am I becoming?" God never stops sowing His grace into our lives, but the fruit we bear depends on the condition of our hearts. Discover how you're probably bearing more spiritual fruit than you realize, why greater fruitfulness often comes from bringing more intention—not more activity—to your daily relationships, and how to identify and remove the "rocks" and "thorns" that keep God's Word from taking deeper root. A practical and hopeful reflection on becoming the rich soil where God's grace can flourish.

  2. Jun 28

    Taking Up Your Cross: Acceptance and Freedom

    13th Sunday in Ordinary Time There's a world of difference between having a cross and taking up your cross. Drawing on Jacques Philippe's Interior Freedom, Fr. David shares the three ways we respond to suffering — rebellion, resignation, and consent — and why only one of them leads to peace. If you've ever spent more energy fearing a cross than actually carrying one, this homily is for you.

  3. May 31

    The Spirit is Alive Here!

    Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity On this Trinity Sunday, we celebrate not only the mystery of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but the living God who is actively at work among us today. In this homily, Fr. David reflects on the visible signs of the Holy Spirit moving in our parish communities—more baptisms, growing numbers of families, new households joining the Church, deeper conversions, and people returning to the Lord after years away. As we recognize these signs of grace, we are encouraged to keep doing what we're doing: inviting, welcoming, praying, serving, and sharing our faith with joy. We are part of something powerful that God is accomplishing in our midst. As summer begins, this homily also invites us to slow down and intentionally receive God's blessings through the beauty of creation, time with loved ones, and moments of gratitude, allowing ourselves to be drawn ever more deeply into the life and love of the Holy Trinity.

  4. May 7

    How Well Do You Know Jesus?

    5th Sunday of Easter In this homily for the month of May, we reflect on Mary as the one who leads us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ—the Way, the Truth, and the Life. As spring brings new life and beauty to the world around us, we are invited to let this season become a spiritual springtime for our own faith by asking a deeper question: "How well do I really know Jesus?" Through prayer, Scripture, the Rosary, meaningful conversation, and the help of Mary and the saints, we learn that growing in faith is not just about knowing facts about Jesus, but truly spending time with Him as a friend. Mary, who knows Jesus better than anyone, gently guides us to love Him more and to encounter Him more personally in our daily lives.

  5. Apr 19

    What If

    3rd Sunday of Easter On the road to Emmaus, two disciples walk beside Jesus without even realizing it—until they urge the "stranger" to stay, and in the breaking of the bread their eyes are opened. How often does the same thing happen in our own lives? Moments when our hearts stir, when something deeper is happening within us, when grace is quietly at work—and yet we keep walking, distracted or unaware. This homily reflects on the quiet, persistent way Jesus draws near to us each day and the importance of not letting those moments slip by. When we notice even a flicker of that "burning heart," we're invited to do what the disciples did: to pause, to invite Him in, to let Him stay. Because it may be in those very moments—ordinary, subtle, easily missed—that we finally recognize just how close God has been all along.

  6. Apr 5

    Burial Cloths

    Easter Sunday This Easter, step into the tomb with Peter and John and notice the surprising detail the Gospel of John refuses to rush past: the burial cloths. Why are they mentioned twice? Because they point to something real—no theft, no resuscitation, but a body transformed. From that first Easter morning to the mysterious Shroud of Turin—an image with no paint, no pigment, only a faint "scorch" on the surface fibers—something happened that still defies explanation. Christianity isn't built on a symbol or a story, but on a fact: Jesus Christ is risen. And that changes everything. This episode invites you to step into the tomb, see the signs, and ask: what in my life needs to be transformed by that same resurrection power?

  7. Mar 18

    Entering into the Mass | 4th Sunday of Lent | 3/15/2026

    Entering into the Mass, Part 3 – 4th Sunday of Lent (03/15/26) In Part 3 of this Lenten homily series, we reflect on how to enter more intentionally into the Mass. This week focuses on the Liturgy of the Word and the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, especially the Preparation of the Gifts. We are reminded that God speaks personally to us at every Mass through Scripture, prayer, and the movements of the liturgy. The opening rites prepare our hearts, the readings reveal God's voice and our identity as His people, and the offertory invites us to place our whole week on the altar—our struggles, gratitude, prayers, and desires—so that God can transform them. This homily is a practical invitation to stop being spectators at Mass and instead consciously unite our lives to Christ's offering. It concludes with a reminder that the Mass on earth joins us to the worship of heaven and calls us to deeper participation each week. I can also turn these into a tighter SEO-friendly WordPress version with excerpt, focus keyphrase, and tags.

  8. Mar 9

    Entering into the Mass | Second Sunday of Lent | Father David Neuschwander

    2nd Sunday of Lent (03/01/26) – Entering into the Mass, Part 1 Have you ever thought, "Mass is boring?" Many of us have felt that way at times. But the reality is that the Holy Mass is anything but boring. Often the challenge is that we haven't learned how to fully enter into what is happening. In this first homily of a Lenten series on the Mass, we begin exploring how to participate more intentionally in the sacred liturgy. The Mass is structured in four parts: the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the Concluding Rite. This week we focus on the Introductory Rites, which prepare our hearts, minds, and souls to encounter God. From the Entrance Procession and Opening Hymn, to the Sign of the Cross, the Greeting, the Penitential Act, the Gloria, and the Collect, each moment invites us to actively participate rather than simply observe. These opening moments help us bring our lives, struggles, and intentions before the Lord and prepare us to receive Him more fully in His Word and in the Eucharist. As you listen, reflect on how you approach the beginning of Mass. What parts of the Introductory Rites might God be inviting you to enter into more intentionally?

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About

Weekly homilies of Father David Neuschwander

Information

  • Creator
    Fr. David Neuschwander
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    349
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rev. David Neuschwander
  • Show Website
    Anchored In The Lord