The thoughts and writings of Fr. Lawrence E. Polansky, a Priest of the Diocese of Camden
Daily Homilies
11/11/2025 -- Martin of Tours, Bishop
Humility is a misunderstood word. Often humility is portrayed as some sort of self-loathing or denying one’s own gifts. If Mozart were to claim that he was not a very talented musician, or Michael Jordan were to claim that he was an average basketball player, these would not be examples of humility – they would simply be falsehoods.
11/10/2025 -- Pope Saint Leo the Great, Doctor of the Church
Today’s readings speak of the God who knows us intimately, from the inside out. According to the introduction of the Book of Wisdom, the Spirit of God is everywhere, and thus God is the witness of [our] inmost self, the sure observer of our hearts.
11/08/2025 -- Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, Holy Mary, the New Eve
Today’s Mass is entitled: “Holy Mary, The New Eve.” And after reflecting on the readings for this Mass, I asked myself: What does it mean to proclaim Mary as “the New Eve”? Second-century Christian writers, Saint Justin Martyr and Saint Ireneaus readily proclaimed, “death through Eve, life through Mary.”
11/07/2025 -- Friday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
In Jesus’ parable today, the steward has been dishonest with his master’s property. He must give an account of his actions to his master. About to lose his job, the steward forgoes the extra amount of money he added to the debts owed to his master, giving up his profit so he could ingratiate himself to his master’s debtors.
11/06/2025 -- Thursday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, searches for us when we are lost. Sometimes we get lost slowly … with distractions and life circumstances pulling us away from prayer. Sometimes we get lost abruptly … when a life change disrupts our normal way of life. Many times, these times of being “lost” are marked by loneliness and fear. Sometimes, we turn away from God intentionally for one reason or another. Yet the Good Shepherd will search for us.
11/05/2025 -- Wednesday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
At the risk of being overly-simplistic, all I am going to do today is read off a simple list of 20 things. And in an attempt to interpret today’s Gospel, I ask you when you hear each one of these items, say to yourself either: “Yes, this serves the Kingdom of God,” or “No, not such much!”
11/04/2025 -- Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Imagine having concert tickets with backstage passes, finishing with an after-show dinner for just you and your musical icon. Or imagine being given an all-expenses-paid trip with tickets to the Super Bowl or World Series or another hot-ticket event. Could anything come between you and that dream-experience?
11/03/2025 -- Martin de Porres, Religious
In our First Reading today, Paul writes to the Romans: “The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” God gives the gift of faith to both the Jews and the Gentiles. He shows mercy to both Jews and the Gentiles for their disobedience.
11/01/2025 -- Solemnity of All Saints
Of all the feasts of the Church calendar, today is among the most joyful as we celebrate the Saints, the holy ones who abide with God in the glory of heaven. The Saints’ glory is God’s glory, for in their unique ways, the Saints radiate particular glimpses of God’s truth, God’s beauty, and God’s goodness.
10/31/2025 -- Friday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Imagine being in Jesus’ situation. He is under the microscope with every move He makes. Yes, there are those who follow Him with hope, wondering with open hearts what He might reveal to them about God. But there are also those who follow Him, waiting for Him to fail.
10/30/2025 -- Thursday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Why does a mother hen gather chicks under her wings? To protect and guide them. To shelter them. Because the world can be a dangerous place, whether you're a baby chick or a human with an eternal soul and wandering heart.
10/29/2025 -- Wednesday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, someone asks Jesus, Lord, will only a few people be saved? He answers, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”
