Isaiah 55:1-3, Romans 8:35, 37-39, Matthew 14:13-21 GENEROSITY, ABUNDANCE, EXTRAVAGANCE Not Counting Women and Children, the words in the last line of today’s Gospel, is the title of a book by theologian and storyteller Megan McKenna. What this line might mean, McKenna, proposes, is that the number Jesus fed in that deserted place on [...]
1 Kings 3-5, 7-12, Rm 8:28-30, Mt 13:44-52, or 44-46 Dear sisters and brothers, Pandemics have a way of forcing us to examine our priorities. They compel us to take a long look at the choices that are set before us. Should I send my child back to school in the fall, or [...]
Wis 12:13, 16-19, Rm 8:26-27, Mt 13:24-43 Dear sisters and brothers, The Letter to the Romans tells us in the second reading today: “we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.” That is pretty strong! Because our world is so messed up, we are often [...]
Isaiah 55:10-11, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-23 Dear brothers and sisters, A family was on vacation, and as they rode down the highway there was a big sign that read: Road Closed. They maneuvered around the sign and continued on. Suddenly the road ended and there was an even larger sign: “What part of ‘Road [...]
Zec 9: 9-10, Rom 8: 9, 11-13, Mat 11: 25-30 Dear brothers and sisters, Apart from its context, Jesus’ prayer in today’s Gospel is rather puzzling. He praises God for hiding “these things” from “the wise and the learned” and making them known to “the little ones.” The attentive listener may be forgiven [...]
2 Kgs 4: 8-11. 14-16, Rom 6: 3-4.8-11, Mt 10: 37-42 HOSPITALITY Dear brothers and sisters, One of the nicest things in life is to meet an open, friendly, warm, hospitable person. Hospitality is a hallmark of a true follower of Christ. At long last winter ended and summer came. All along the [...]
Jeremiah 20:10-13, Romans 5:12-15, Matthew 10:26-33 Dear sisters and brothers, “Fear no one.” — The words of Jesus from today’s Gospel according to Saint Matthew are so strong! “Fear no one.” We can only be free from fear and from fears if we truly believe in the Lord and live for everlasting life. The [...]
Deut 8: 2-3, 14B-16A, 1 Cor 10: 16-17, John 6:57-58 Dear brothers and sisters, Bread of Life: I have always found the aroma of bread freshly baked very comforting. That smell always makes me feel somehow at home. Perhaps it is because bread is such a staple of life. Furthermore, it is difficult to [...]
Ex 34: 4b-6, 8-9, Cor 13: 11-13, Jn 3:16-18 Dear brothers and sisters, Often the Trinity becomes an intellectual puzzle that we try to figure out, rather than an invitation to live into the very being of God, the God who is Fullness-of-Being. The God revealed to us in scripture is always reaching out to [...]
Acts 2: 1-11, 1Cor 12:3b-7, Jn 20:19-23 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, The feast of Pentecost concludes the Easter season, the fifty days that, from Jesus’ resurrection to Pentecost, are marked in a particular way by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is in fact the Easter Gift par excellence. He is [...]