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“If you don't spend time writing your homily today and you just get up and give it, ask ChatGPT or Claude — they’re gonna do a better job than you,” says Brendan McGuire. In the third episode of our series on Preaching for Missionary Discipleship, host Ricardo da Silva, S.J. welcomes Brendan McGuire, pastor of St. Simon Parish in Los Altos, California, and a former Silicon Valley technology executive who now advises the Vatican and Anthropic on AI ethics. A longtime teacher of homiletics, McGuire recently led formation sessions for Jesuit scholastics in Florence on using AI in homily prep — and brings that teaching here, making the case for a disciplined “deep prompt,” built from a preacher’s own best homilies, over a “thin prompt” that produces something generic and derivative. Timecodes: 0:00 AI may prepare a better homily than you 2:29 Meet the Silicon Valley priest advising Anthropic and the Vatican 4:00 Recalling his first homilies — 30 years ago 8:20 Preaching as an ‘art’ 11:41 Preaching that leads to "missionary discipleship" 15:33 Not just the words of the homily — but the delivery 18:20 A nun challenges him to change how he preaches 23:00 AI homilies: Yes or No? 25:19 25:58 AI homilies: thin prompts vs. deep prompts 30:10 AI Hallucination and scriptural analysis 37:20 What are the ethical guardrails for an AI homily? Brendan’s homilies: https://www.frbrendanmcguire.org/homilies-master Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Jesus doesn't put burdens on us,” says Jean-Pierre Ducharme, O.F.M. “Jesus invites us into a relationship where we are graced and blessed by God.” Continuing our series on Preaching for Missionary Discipleship, host Ricardo da Silva, S.J. welcomes Jean-Pierre Ducharme, O.F.M., Minister Provincial of the Holy Spirit Province, Canada. He makes the case for homilies that center the relationship Jesus invites us into — one of freedom and joy — rather than dwelling on sin and placing undue burdens on the congregation. Timecodes: 0:00 Preaching shouldn’t burden people 4:05 A synodal style of preaching 7:31 Reading: Matthew 13: 21-43; Jesus’ parables of the kingdom of heaven 9:26 Jean-Pierre’s homily 17:32  A sermon vs. a homily 20:21 All preachers must talk about grace 22:03 Focusing on mission in our preaching 27:45 Homilies should only make one point --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, preachers face a sacred responsibility– to proclaim the Gospel and heed the signs of the times, without getting lost in political ideologies. When Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore was asked to preach at a Mass consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, he did just that.  He joins “Preach” host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., to discuss his preparations for this auspicious occasion and what it means to consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Timecodes: 0:00 What does it mean to consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart? 4:43 Setting the scene: Preaching at the spring plenary of the U.S. Bishops 7:42 Jesus’ high priestly discourse in the Gospel of John 9:05 Archbishop Lori’s homily  20:23 Preparing a homily for the nation’s 250th anniversary 23:40 How not to let your homily go off the rails 28:00 We must identify as Catholics first, before political affiliations 31:44 Preaching without jargon 34:10 What does it mean to preach for missionary discipleship today? --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Along the U.S.-Mexico border, Flavio Bravo, S.J., celebrates Mass in migrant shelters among people living in fear and uncertainty. Reflecting on John’s resurrection appearances in which Christ shows his wounds and breathes his Spirit, Flavio preaches the risen Christ, not as an idea, but as a presence encountered in woundedness. Flavio joins host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., to speak about preaching resurrection and hope from within places in which migrants are suffering as part of this Easter series of the "Preach" podcast. 0:00 A Haitian girl blesses the priest 2:07 Meeting Fr. Flavio Bravo, S.J. 2:48 Crossing borders: arriving in the U.S. as a teenage refugee 5:00 Who comes to the border today 9:34 Inside Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries 11:35 Homily: The risen Lord is the crucified one 24:50 How preaching grows out of daily ministry 25:57 The Gospel stories we never wrote down 27:54 How his preaching has changed 28:39 Resurrection within suffering—not escape 30:25 Preaching on the move: new faces each week 32:00 Joy at Mass: children, bells, holy water 35:10 Sustaining the work: community and self-care --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does one keep their belief in the resurrection in a war-scarred area of the world? In this third episode of Preach’s Easter series, host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., speaks to Brother Peter Iorlano, F.S.C., who has lived and ministered at Bethlehem University in the West Bank for over 20 years, accompanying Palestinian students and colleagues through occupation, conflict and loss. He is also the university’s vice president for human resources. Together, they discuss how Brother Peter came to Bethlehem from New York after a meaningful encounter with a Muslim student. They also talk about how Brother Peter’s work at Bethlehem University has shaped his spirituality, emphasizing the power of daily resurrections. 0:00 Br. Peter Iorlano's journey to Bethlehem 4:55 Why Bethlehem University is special 9:23 An Easter reflection in a warzone 22:20 Preaching demands overcoming revenge 24:10 Being vulnerable when preaching 26:14 Preaching resurrection during a time of war 30:37 Making sure people do not feel alone 33:20 Tensions between despair and hope 35:15 Preaching as a lay brother --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“You see the light in people's eyes come back and you see faces start to move instead of being frozen," says Tom Weston, S.J.,  speaking about his experience ministering to people in addiction recovery. “The humanity is reborn [...] it's resurrection.”  In this episode we continue our Easter series on preaching the hope of the resurrection in a broken world. Our guest Tom Weston, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, counsellor, and man in long-term recovery, who has devoted most of his priestly life to working alongside people battling addiction — leading 12-step based retreats, offering counseling and spiritual accompaniment, and lecturing internationally.  Together with host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., they discuss how we can all be witnesses to the resurrection and recipients of God’s grace, no matter how dark our lives may seem.  Timecodes: 0:00 We can see the resurrection clearly in those in recovery 7:00 Tom Weston’s homily 17:07 God’s grace is greater than our human will power 21:45 How much should a preacher reveal about themselves in a homily? 25:00 Grace isn’t only for those in recovery 26:40 What does the resurrection look like? 28:47 Preaching hope in darkness --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to preach resurrection into a broken world? In this first episode of our 2026 Easter series, host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., welcomes Alberto Solano, a New Testament scholar at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California. Together, they open up the post-resurrection appearances in John’s Gospel—Mary in the garden, Thomas in the upper room, Peter by the charcoal fire—and ask why the risen Christ keeps showing up not to the powerful, but to the grieving, the fearful, and the lost.  Timecodes: 0:00 The risen Christ first meets the outcast, the fearful, the rejected 1:25 What do the resurrection appearances in John have to offer preachers today? 2:50 Alberto Solano brings scripture scholarship to Preach 4:26 Why does Jesus call Mary Magdalene by name? 8:50 What did “resurrection from the dead” mean to a Jewish people? 18:46 “Doubting Thomas”—or the most faithful disciple? 22:20 Your worst moment isn't your whole story 27:04 Why does the Church turn to John at Easter more than the other Gospels? 34:40 Acts — how the early Church learned to love its enemies as neighbours 38:45 What does Easter call preachers to say? --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is fasting for? What biblical precedent do we have for the practices of fasting and abstinence? And how can preachers steer between the two extremes of self-punishment and loophole hunting? “Preach” concludes its Lent 2026 series on the three classical pillars of the season with a conversation on fasting.  Host Ricardo da Silva, S.J. is joined by James Keane — senior editor at America and a writer who has spent some time reflecting and writing on what fasting is and what it’s for. Timecodes: 0:00 What’s fasting for? 2:00 The Brazilian loophole to abstinence during Lent: capibara  3:55 What does the church teach on fasting and abstinence? 6:53 Fasting is meant to bring you closer to God 8:35 Biblical citations of fasting 11:05 Fasting evolved alongside seasons of food scarcity and abundance 14:10 St. Ignatius’ fervour for fasting 16:10 Avoiding the two extremes of self-punishment vs.  loophole hunting  18:58 Pope Leo XIV’s message this Lent James Keane’s articles on fasting: On fasting: The difference between our preaching and our practice 7 things you never knew about fasting --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠⁠⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is almsgiving — and why does the Church teach that it is more about justice and right relationship than simply personal charity or philanthropy? As “Preach” continues its Lent 2026 series on the three classical pillars of the season—prayer, fasting and almsgiving—we turn to almsgiving, perhaps the most confronting of the three. In this conversation, Ricardo da Silva, S.J. is joined by Kerry Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA., and author of Imagining Abundance: Fundraising, Philanthropy, and a Spiritual Call to Service, a book that reflects on generosity as a spiritual practice rooted in faith. Timecodes: 0:00 Generosity is at the heart of almsgiving 2:30 Our cognitive dissonance with money and faith 5:43 How Kerry became a steward of her family’s 80-year-old foundation  8:20 About Catholic Charities U.S.A. 11:50 Biblical teachings on giving alms  16:36 Mother Teresa: “never take away the right of another to be generous” 21:30 We need both charity and justice 26:24 New insights from Pope Leo and ‘Dilexi Te’ 28:08 Preach almsgiving with thanksgiving --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is prayer? And maybe more importantly for preachers—what are we inviting people into when we stand in the pulpit and speak about it? As “Preach” continues its Lent 2026 series, we turn to the three classical pillars that shape the season: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. In this first conversation, focused on prayer, Ricardo da Silva, S.J. is joined by Amy Ekeh, Director of Mission Advancement for the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, retreat leader, author and adjunct instructor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Sacred Heart University. Amy is the author of several books, including:  Stretch Out Your Hand: Reflections on the Healing Ministry of Jesus Come to Me, All of You: Stations of the Cross in the Voice of Christ  Lent: Season of Transformation Timecodes: 0:00 We can’t be afraid to ask for God’s help 1:25 Who is Amy Ekeh? 2:50 Prayer is relational 7:57 Prayer is nurtured in community 14:30 Good preaching requires you to know your congregation 16:53 Ask for healing! The people in the Gospels did. 21:38 Jesus’ Gethsemane prayer 26:16 Carving out space for silence --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit ⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As “Preach” begins its Lent 2026 series, Ricardo da Silva, S.J. sits down with liturgical theologian Anne McGowan to ask a foundational question: what is Lent for — and how do these practices reshape our faith, not just our habits for six weeks? Together, they trace its history from a two-day fast in the early Church to the 40-day season we know today, and explore its theological arc in the Sunday lectionary—from temptation and transfiguration to water, light and life, and finally the passion that leads into Easter, where new Christians are baptised and the faithful renew their baptismal promises. 0:00 Introducing the Lent 2026 series 2:30 Meet Anne McGowan: why she loves the liturgical year 6:20 You can’t understand Lent without Easter 8:10 The history of Lent: from two days to 40 days before Easter 10:40 Lent: a season of challenge and joy 15:05 Compunction and joy: do we have to choose? 20:55 The Sundays of Lent explained: from temptation to the passion 31:13 Preaching the whole journey of Lent 34:49 Preaching more than just the Sunday readings this Lent 36:22 How to come alive this Lent A Preacher’s Guide to Holy Week: These are long liturgies. Be brief! --- Support this podcast by becoming a subscriber. Visit americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Things are happening [in Minnesota]  that my friends and family elsewhere are really having trouble understanding,” Laura Kelly Fanucci says,  “because the media is saying one thing, and all these partisan politicians are saying another thing.” “But sometimes I think what Jesus [is saying in the gospel], is that when you are close to the center, sometimes you will know things about the mystery of God that are going to be difficult for other people to understand.” Award-winning author, Laura Kelly Fanucci, joins host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., to share what she has been preaching on her Instagram account @thismessygrace since U.S. federal immigration agents fatal shooting of  Renee Good, and later, Alex Pretti. After attending Mass the Sunday following the killing of Renée Good and hearing no mention of it from the pulpit at her parish, Laura began offering three-minute homilies on Instagram. In this conversation with Ricardo da Silva, S.J., Laura offers practical advice for preaching in this historical moment marked by violence, terror and community upheaval. In her daily Scripture reflections on Instagram Laura models how to thread the needle of preaching the gospel and responding to surrounding events, without slipping into partisan rhetoric. https://www.americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year we take out the nativity. We arrange it carefully. Mary. Joseph. A baby in a manger. It feels sacred—one of the last spaces in our world left untouched. But contemporary retellings challenge that calm. This year in Dedham, the Holy Family was removed and kept in the sanctuary for protection from ICE. In Evanston, the baby Jesus wrapped in emergency thermal blankets, his hands bound with zip ties. A few years ago in Bethlehem, a Lutheran pastor placed the Christ child on bomb rubble. We demand these displays be removed. But what if the real danger isn’t the frame we construct—traditional crib or contemporary protest? What if it’s that we’re so busy fixing on one perfect pageant or one protest image that we miss the actual context of Jesus’ birth? We assume Mary and Joseph were turned away. Luke doesn’t say that. The Holy Family is welcomed into a warm home, pressed shoulder to shoulder with people doing all they can to make space. The house owner says: this is all we have. And it’s accepted. God is born there. Ricardo tells us in this surprise Christmas Eve homily: God does not wait for us to clear space. He enters even when lives are full, when schedules are packed. Still, room is found. That’s the nativity we are living and called to live. This is Ricardo’s final episode before moving to Rome in January to join the Jesuits’ international communications team. He’ll continue hosting Preach from there. We’re taking a brief break and will return just before Ash Wednesday with a new Lenten series. Please fill out our listener survey—your feedback helps shape what comes next. Merry Christmas! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I really appreciate it when the truth is spoken very plainly,” says Tsh Oxenreider. Homilies that cut to the chase—and call us to conversion now. Host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., speaks with writer and podcaster Tsh Oxenreider about what active waiting means during Advent; sitting with discomfort, resisting the rush to Christmas. They explore the traditional meanings of the liturgical weeks—joy in week three, love in week four—what penance looks like in this season, and the O Antiphons. Tsh speaks directly about what she needs from preaching: homilies that tell the truth plainly and call us, here and now, to confess our sins and get right with God. Support Preach—subscribe at⁠⁠ ⁠americamagazine.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Preach, we’re offering an Advent treat. Host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., sits down with fellow producer Maggi Van Dorn for a rare on-mic conversation about the spiritual power of Christmas carols. Drawing on their work as producers of another America podcast, “Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols,” they reflect on what these songs can teach preachers: that the liturgy is more than the homily. that beauty itself does theological work: it’s not just what is said, but how it’s delivered. The structure, rhythm, and form—whether in music or a homily—carry meaning and touch the heart. that good preaching must reach the heart before the mind. After their conversation, we bring you the second episode of “Hark!” Season 5: “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Support Preach—subscribe at⁠⁠ ⁠americamagazine.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices