St. Ephraim, Salt and Light of the World – Jun 09 – Homily – Fr Joseph Michael

 

Fr. Joseph Michael McShane gives the homily on Jun 09, 2026, urging Christians to remain witnesses of faith, like salt and light, by avoiding lukewarmness and sin and instead embracing prayer, the sacraments, and good works, while honoring St. Ephraim as a model of such zeal and charity.

In this homily, Fr. Joseph Michael explains that Christians are called to show their love for Jesus by living their faith every day. He warns that we can lose our spiritual strength if we get distracted by worldly things or give in to sin. To stay strong, we need prayer as our foundation, regular confession and Holy Communion, and acts of kindness toward others. He also tells the story of St. Ephraim, a holy deacon who wrote hymns about the faith, defended Mary’s special role, and died while caring for people sick with plague. Fr. McShane encourages everyone to ask St. Ephraim’s help so we can let the Holy Spirit work through us, too.

Pope Benedict XVI – Word of God and sacraments nourish worship, leading to charity and witness – https://airmaria.com/go/DmpGfb
Pope John Paul II 1997 – God comforts us mercifully through living contact amid daily occupations – https://airmaria.com/go/K85kYc
CCC 2744 – Prayer is a vital spiritual necessity – https://airmaria.com/go/FWvTDM
CCC 2447 – Practicing spiritual and corporal works of mercy – https://airmaria.com/go/xuw6br
CCC 491 – Mary preserved free from all sin – https://airmaria.com/go/TS5qLY

00:00 - Our Vocation to Be a Witness
00:53 - Warning Against Losing Our Salt
01:26 - Remedies to Preserve Our Spiritual Life
02:03 - Glorifying God Through Good Works
02:44 - St. Ephraim, Harp of the Holy Spirit
03:52 - Mary's Own Singer and the New Eve
04:41 - A Martyr of Charity
05:36 - Mary as Our Refuge and Final Blessing

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Ephrem - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3
Readings: Tuesday 10th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/060926.cfm
1st: 1 Kings 17:7-16 - Elijah Proclaims a Drought
Resp: Psalms 4:2-3, 4-5, 7-8 - Confidence in God
Gsp: Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1088&r=1620

Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOJ9XBcGZTU