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: Why is God Eating Lunch at McDonald’s?

    Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time I am not preaching this morning, but if interested, I delivered the following homily, BACK IN 2014, based on the same readings we have today: Today’s readings include: Isaiah 55:1-3, Romans 8:35-39, and Matthew 14:13-21 ***************************************** A little background before I share a story: When our children were young, Carol…

  • Willing to Bear

    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. “…he had John beheaded in the prison.” (Matthew 14:1-12) WILLING TO BEAR: Today’s gospel shows what John the Baptist was willing…

  • Lack of Faith

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.”…

  • Fish of Every Kind

    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 Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. (Matthew 13:47-53) FISH…

  • Resurrection

    Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know…

  • Whoever Has Ears

    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 Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all…

  • Kingdom of Heaven

    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 Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is…

  • Homily: Embrace the Gift

    Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 / Romans 8:28-30 / Matthew 13:44-46 I am not preaching this weekend, but if interested, the following is a homily I delivered BACK IN 2020 on the same readings we have today: Most of us – at one time or another – have been overwhelmed…

  • Feast of St. James

    Saint James the Apostle’s Story This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar occupation: Peter and Andrew. “He walked along a little…

  • The Seed

    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. “But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears…