Perseverance With God’s Grace – May 16 – Homily – Fr Matthias

Fr Matthias M. Sasko gives the homily for the Memorial of St. Margaret of Cortona (Third Order Franciscan) on May 16, 2026, reflecting on her life, illustrating how God's grace can transform the most scandalous sinners into saints before warning against harsh judgment.

Father then explains that praying in Jesus's name means surrendering our own desires to confidently receive whatever gifts and provisions Christ has already set aside for us.

Index
00:00 - Introduction
00:13 - The Life of St. Margaret of Cortona
01:16 - Lessons on Conversion and Judgment
01:57 - Understanding Prayer in Jesus' Name
02:27 - The Pizza Analogy for Prayer
03:23 - Aligning Our Will with Christ
04:35 - Conclusion and Final Blessing

Catechetical resoureces
USCCB – Gospel promise of answered prayer – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?13
Franciscan Media – Biography of St Margaret Cortona – https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-margaret-of-cortona
CCC – On praying in Jesus name – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/2614.htm
CCC – Conversion of heart and penance – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/1430.htm
CCC – Sinners in the holy Church – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/827.htm
Vatican – Perseverance through temptations and conversion – https://www.vatican.va/content/catechesis/en/2016/documents/papa-francesco_20161026_udienza-generale.html