Homily - Nov 2025 - Virtue of Integrity - Fr Paul Gardner (Academy)

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Homily - Nov 2025 - Virtue of Integrity - Fr Paul Gardner (Academy)

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This episode features a homily from Father Paul addressing an apparent contradiction in the day's readings: St. Paul summarizes all laws with "Love your neighbor as yourself," while Jesus states, "Unless you hate your father and mother... you cannot follow me".

The Love Hierarchy

Father Paul explains that Jesus is using an exaggerated statement to drive home a crucial point: If you love somebody more than you love God, you don't actually love that person at all.

The most loving thing you can do for someone is to want them to be with God.
He shares a story about a married couple whose parents prayed that they would find spouses who loved God more than they loved them, recognizing that this is the foundation for a truly loving marriage.
This points to the ultimate rule: love God above all things.

The Virtue of Integrity

To help the faithful love God above all, Father Paul introduces the virtue of the month: Integrity.

Definition: Integrity means being consistent in being good, regardless of the circumstances.
He argues that if you are virtuous around some people (like parents) but not others (like friends), you don't have the virtue at all—you are actually making yourself worse at that virtue.
He shares a personal, regretful story from his youth where a struggling teammate came to him for Godly advice, but Father Paul, out of insecurity and a desire to fit in, told him to retaliate instead of forgive. This illustrates the danger of lacking integrity.

Saints as Examples of Integrity

Father Paul gives two powerful examples of saints who chose integrity, even when it meant defying those they loved:

St. Jose Luis Sanchez del Río: At a young age, this Mexican Cristero rebel refused to deny Christ, even when the government tortured him (cutting off the soles of his feet and forcing him to walk) and even when his own parents told him to cave in.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha: This Native American convert made a vow of virginity at 14 and refused to marry, despite her parents trying to force her. She also refused to work on Sunday, leading her family to withhold food from her.

Conclusion:

Both saints loved their parents, but they loved God more. Their integrity means choosing the love of God, even when it is uncomfortable or works against the wishes of others, which in turn deepens the root of genuine love.

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