Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of why we’re really here. In today’s homily for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, we step back and look at what can be called God’s master plan—a plan that was never meant for just one people, but for the whole world. Through Isaiah and its fulfillment in Jesus, we’re reminded that being “chosen” is not about being better than others, but about being sent for others. In the middle of everyday life—work, responsibilities, and even small sacrifices—we are called to live with love, holiness, and purpose, allowing God’s light to shine through us wherever we go.

Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR reflects on Saint Anthony of the Desert and the wisdom found in Scripture, reminding us that every one of us belongs to the same category: sinners in need of God’s mercy. Through the stories of kings like Saul, David, and Solomon, we see how even the greatest can fall when humility is lost. Saint Anthony’s radical life of prayer and sacrifice calls us back to a simple truth—stay humble, remain prayerful, and choose God each day, trusting in His mercy and grace.

In this reflection, Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR explores how God often uses obstacles, suffering, and even failure to prepare the way for something greater. From Israel’s painful experience under King Saul to the rise of King David, we see how trials can soften hearts and lead to true conversion. The Gospel echoes this truth in the healing of the paralyzed man, where an obstacle becomes the doorway to forgiveness, healing, and a deeper revelation of who Jesus truly is. When we face difficulties, we are invited to trust that God may be plowing the soil of our hearts, preparing us for a beautiful blessing still to come.

In today’s homily, we are reminded that faith is not magic and God is not a lucky charm. The story of the Ark of the Covenant shows what happens when trust in God is replaced with superstition and outward religious acts without true conversion of heart. The Lord desires humble prayer, sincere faith, and daily fidelity—not spiritual shortcuts or big displays. True holiness is usually quiet and ordinary, lived through loving God, loving others, and faithfully following Him in the small moments of everyday life.

We hear about the young Samuel learning to recognize God’s voice, and we see Jesus Himself stepping away to pray. Even Jesus needed time in prayer to listen to the Father and understand what came next. This homily reminds us that God truly has a will for each of us—and that His will is not hidden or impossible. But we can only come to know it through daily prayer. In the midst of constant noise and distractions, prayer becomes the place where we slow down, listen, and allow God to guide our lives, one step at a time.

The devil works by twisting the truth into lies, scattering our thoughts, our families, and even whole communities. But Jesus shows us a different way—He brings clarity, casts out doubt, and restores peace. In this homily, discover how turning to Him in times of uncertainty can help untangle the lies in our lives and guide us to the truth.

Ordinary Time begins as the Christmas decorations come down, but Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR reminds us that God’s work is never ordinary. From Hannah in the Old Testament to the first disciples called by Jesus, Scripture tells the story of real people whose lives were drawn into God’s unfolding plan. In the same way, each of us is being woven into God’s story today—through our families, vocations, friendships, and everyday moments—where His grace continues to build the Kingdom in ways that are anything but ordinary.

On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR gently invites us to pause and remember the moment our own journey with God began. Reflecting on Jesus stepping into the Jordan, this homily helps us see Baptism not as something distant or forgotten, but as a living gift that continues to shape our lives. It is the moment we were claimed by God, filled with grace, and set on a path that carries us—like a river—through every season of life and ultimately home to heaven.