Preaching for Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year C, Rev. Stephen Tully complicates the story of the prodigal son, allowing his ministry among marginalized communities to shape his reading and preaching of the parable.

“I become better—a better bishop and a better priest, and better to my men—precisely because I want to generate love for the migrant who’s passing through this diocese,” says Bishop Joseph Tyson of Yakima. “We’ve got to find a way of preaching and teaching that better.”

In this episode, we’re exploring how some faith leaders navigate the challenge of speaking out without compromising their spiritual mission when addressing political issues from the ambo.

On “Preach” this week, the Rev. Kareem Smith, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Co-op City, the Bronx, reflects with host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., on the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time—the wedding at Cana.

Inspired by his friend and mentor Henri Nouwen, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, leader of Ukrainian Catholics in the U.S., invites listeners in his Christmas Eve homily to approach the manger with renewed awe and openness.

This week on “Preach,” the Rev. Justin Lopina joins host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., to discuss how John the Baptist’s call to repentance in the Gospel for Gaudete Sunday leads to joy more than simply moral obligations.