Homilies of Fr. Ken Fortney

Across the Chasm: Lazarus and the Rich Man

Today's homily explores the biblical paradox between Lazarus, the poor man at the gate, and the rich man behind his wall. It contrasts suffering and divine hope with indifference and abundance, asking listeners to consider which side of the chasm they occupy.
Fr. Ken urges personal responsibility and compassion, reminding believers that God provides and calls them to love and serve their neighbors through both church ministry and daily, tangible acts of mercy.

From Temple to Test: Ezra's Call to Repentance

Our homily contrasts Ezra’s account of the temple’s restoration—brought about even through a foreign king—with the people’s honest confession of sin and need for repentance.
It also reflects on Jesus sending the Twelve to minister without provisions, trusting God to provide, and challenges listeners to respond with mercy, responsibility, and gratitude for God’s ongoing care.

Rejoice in the House of the Lord: Joy, Mercy, and Family

The homily explores the joy of coming together as the Lord’s family, honoring the sacred place of worship, and the call to care for one another with humility—even when that means confronting and being confronted. It emphasizes repentance, mercy, and the challenge of loving those we sit beside as true siblings in Christ.
Honoring Padre Pio, the homily reflects on his lifelong sacrifice of confession and suffering, his bearing of the stigmata described as a fragrance rather than blood, and how his example reminds us that God loves us despite our wounds and calls us to mercy and peace.

Come With Joy: Eucharist, Sacrifice, and the Call to Witness

In today's homily, we reflect on the joy of coming to the Eucharist as a time of thanksgiving and recognition of God’s love and sacrifice. It explores how the Eucharist strengthens us to seek God’s help and to give thanks for the week past and the week ahead.
Fr. Ken challenges listeners to be firm in their commitment to faith, to stand up for truth even when it is difficult, and to be inspired by the witness of martyrs who sacrificed their lives. The episode calls believers to share grace with others and to courageously proclaim the Gospel in family, community, and church.

Uncomfortable Truths: When the World Rejects the Gospel

Today's homily reflects on how, even after 2,000 years, people still reject Christ and his messengers, preferring excuses over the truth.
Father Ken urges the church to stop whitewashing hard truths and to boldly witness the Gospel through baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist, calling listeners to live and share a faith worthy of their calling.

Arise: A Call to New Life and Service

Paul's letter to Timothy highlights bishops and deacons and, notably, the inclusion of women as vital to the life of the Church.Jesus' tender act in raising the young man and the Eucharistic call to 'Arise' remind us to receive new life, serve others, and be signs of hope.

God's Greatest Gift: The Eucharist Revealed

This episode reflects on John 3:16 and the central Christian truth that God gave his Son so we might have eternal life, highlighting the Eucharist as the greatest gift where bread and wine become Christ's body and blood.It also explores God’s providence from the Israelites in the desert to the modern return of young people to the faith, and introduces a parish rescue project to deepen scripture understanding and inspire others to embrace and share the faith.

Words That Matter: Choosing Speech in a Distracted World

This episode reflects on Paul's letter to the Colossians, urging listeners to focus on heavenly things rather than earthly habits and to be mindful of the words they use, illustrated by a simple breakfast anecdote about careless speech.It emphasizes that our words shape how we represent Christ, calls us to rely on the Lord for guidance, and celebrates the Eucharist as the gift that strengthens us to speak and act faithfully.

Chosen from the Ordinary: The Calling of the Twelve

This episode reflects on Jesus calling twelve ordinary people to be his apostles and what set them apart from the rest.It invites listeners to examine their lives, take up their cross, and become visible examples of Christ's mercy and love to others.

Give Up Everything: The Call to True Discipleship

This episode explores Jesus' radical call to give up everything to follow him, using St. Paul as a model of total surrender and missionary zeal.It reflects on humility before God, relying on Him rather than on family or possessions, and on the transformative gift of the Eucharist as our source of strength.Listeners are invited to consider how being present for others and living Christ’s love can change lives and deepen their own faith.