From the Deacon's Desk

by Deacon Rick Wagner

Deacon Rick Wagner was ordained on June 23, 2012 and currently serves his home parish of St. Pius X in Indianapolis, IN. He has been married to his wife, Carol, for 43 years and they have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.

Deacon Rick has been involved in Catholic education for 40+ years and currently serves as President of St. Theodore Guerin High School, a workshop instructor for Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, and a retreat leader.

He has also authored three books: Remember What’s Important (2011), Fifty Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2016), and Fifty MORE Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2024).

Have a question or comment for Deacon Rick? Feel free to contact him at rwagner@spxparish.org

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  • Homily: At Least Leave the Door Open

    I am not preaching today, but if interested, here is a homily I delivered BACK IN 2017 on the same gospel we have today: At first glance, today’s gospel reading offers a familiar two-part theme: The healing power of Jesus and the misguided tunnel vision of the Pharisees. Jesus gave sight to a man who had been…

  • Heal Us

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. Come, let us return to the LORD…he will heal us… (Hosea 6:1) HEAL US: I think there are many disciples, including myself,…

  • Love Your Neighbor

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your…

  • Listen to My Voice

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. (Jeremiah 7:23) LISTEN TO MY…

  • Teaching Others

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the…

  • With Your Whole Heart

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you. Do not let us be…

  • God is Everywhere

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.” (2 Kings 5:15) and “Amen, I say…

  • Homily: Reconciliation, Conversion, Hope

    I will be delivering the following homily at all Masses today (the Third Sunday of Lent) at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Indianapolis, IN: Now that we have reached the halfway point of Lent, it may be a good time to reflect on the intent of this liturgical season. We speak often of the…

  • Homily: Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Conversion

    Today’s gospel is the familiar story of The Prodigal Son from the Gospel of Luke. The following is a homily I delivered on this gospel BACK IN 2022: When I was in graduate school, one of the simplest and most useful insights shared with me came from a professor of Cognitive Psychology. He said, “Nearly…

  • Foundation

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…” (Matthew 21:33-43) FOUNDATION: What is a cornerstone? By definition, a cornerstone is the…