Dear Sisters and Brothers, A thirst could be physical or spiritual. Often it is both, as in the case of the unnamed woman whose meeting with Jesus by Jacob's well gave us today's gospel story. Physically she is thirsty, thirsting for water, and that brings her to the well day after day. But spiritually [...]
Genesis 12:1-4a, 2 Timothy 1:8b-10, Matthew 17:1-9 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Now, a week and a half into Lent, we may be feeling like Peter on the season’s second Sunday: “Lord, it is good that we are here!” Perhaps we are genuinely grateful to be here this year in this joyful season [...]
Gen 2: 7-9, 3: 1-7, Rom 5: 12-19, Mt 4: 1-11 Dear Sisters & Brothers, The first thing that needs to be said about the temptations of Jesus is that they were real. This was no play-acting. But the question arises: Can a good person be tempted like the rest of us? The [...]
Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18, 1 Corinthians 3:16-23, Matthew 5:38-48 Whispers in the Temple of the Holy Spirit My friend Judy Logue has a wonderful title for her book on forgiveness: ‘Forgiving the People You Love to Hate.’ Forgiving is not easy, especially those who have hurt and damaged us deeply, or those whose [...]
Sirach 15:15-20, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, Matthew 5:17-37 Dear Sister & Brothers, Today’s readings call us to a high standard. In fact, the gospel includes two of the most controversial texts in the whole New Testament-one that suggests we should cut off any body part that causes us to sin, and another that rejects [...]
Is 58:7-10, I Cor 2: 1-5, Mt 5: 13-16 Dear Sisters and Brothers, We are Christ’s disciples. As such we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This is a wonderful task but a difficult one. Let us reflect on how much we need God’s help if [...]
Dear Sisters and Brothers, “Would you hold my baby for me, please?” Years ago, a young man was riding a bus from Chicago to Miami. He had a stop-over in Atlanta. While he was sitting at the lunch counter, a woman came out of the ladies’ restroom carrying a tiny baby. She walked up to [...]
Is 8: 23-9: 3, I Cor 1:10-13.17, Mt 4: 12-23 Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ, ‘The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who dwelt in darkness and shadow of death, a light has dawned.’ These beautiful words come from the prophets Isaiah. St. Matthew sees them as fulfilled [...]
Is 49: 3. 5-6, I Cor 1: 1-3, John 1: 29-34 A lesson from John the Baptist: They say that we see other people not as they are but as we are. The following story illustrates the truth of this. Once upon a time there was a king who called one of his servants. The [...]
Is 42: 1-4.6-7, Acts 10:34-38, Mt 3: 13-17 The RICE of Baptism In Rwanda the baptism of a child is usually followed by a happy reception where children are sure to eat one thing, rice. As a result, the baptism dress is sometimes referred to as your rice dress. Thinking of baptism easily makes people think [...]