On the parish’s patronal feast of St. Herman of Alaska, Fr. Timothy Kolb preaches about how St. Herman is like a mustard seed that was planted in Alaska and all of America that brought forth tremendous fruit long after his death. He says that St. Herman living within the severe weather and terrain of Alaska reminds him of Noah who was alone as a righteous man in the world and then endured severe weather before being “planted” again in the earth. He encourages us that all it takes is one person to be loving, faithful, blameless, meek, and dedicated to God to plant a seed of the gospel that grows into a great tree of the Church.
Previous Homilies about St. Herman
- December 12, 2025 – The Original Alaskan Off-Gridder — St. Herman of Alaska
- August 17, 2025 – Prayer, Fasting, and St. Herman – Homily by Dn. Abraham Labrada Santiago
- December 13, 2024 – “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” – Feast of St. Herman of Alaska
- December 13, 2023 – “An Invincible Shield of Holiness”
- December 12, 2023 – First World Problems
- August 9, 2023 – Saint Herman Accomplished the Impossible
- August 9, 2020 – 50th Anniversary of Glorification of Saint Herman by Fr. Michael Oleksa
Galatians 5:22-6:2
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.24And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.1Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Luke 6:17-23
17And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,18as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.19And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.20Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.22Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.