Solemnity of All Saints
"Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."
Today is the Solemnity of All Saints, and in the Gospel reading we hear Jesus preach the famous Beatitudes. The first few Beatitudes to me always felt like a verbal hug from Jesus to his followers. Yet then he turns seemingly darker. At a glance, the warm hug seems to be replaced by a frightful foreboding, as Jesus isn't saying "if they insult you and persecute you" but rather "when they insult you and persecute you."
Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
In today's reading from Romans, Saint Paul explains to the Gentile Christians that it is God has who has brought them into the Christian community—not because of a superior wisdom on their part. Then in the Gospel, Jesus, who is dining at the house of a Pharisee, warns the guests not to take seats of honor or they may embarrass themselves when asked by the host to move to a lower place in favor of someone held in higher esteem. It seems a bit "tongue in cheek" does it not? Nevertheless, in both scenarios, the lack of humility begins with one's way of thinking, the disposition of one's heart. Who among us has not felt entitled or felt superior to another? Also, who among us has not practiced false humility?
Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus’ actions in today’s Gospel remind us to consider what is of true value in this life. Despite the cultural rules and societal norms, he does what is needed in order to care for someone else. I have a deep appreciation for rules and tradition. We talk with our children often about the purpose of the rules set in place to keep everyone safe; rules can create a fair and fun environment for everyone; they help maintain order and predictability. Most laws are created with a specific purpose and with good intention. However, sometimes there are situations where rules can be circumvented by greater needs. A simple example is a rescue squad having the right of way in all matters of traffic when rushing a person to the hospital. The health and well-being of the person in the back of the ambulance matters much more than the errand that I am running. Jesus’ words and actions today call on us to consider the question, “what matters most?”
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
I suspect many of us, maybe most of us, have felt at one or another time in our lives that we aren’t really in the Church. By that I mean that we have felt, for this or that reason, that we are outsiders.
Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
We live in a broken world, a world that, at times, feels out of control, a world that seems filled more with bad than good, a world, even where evil sometimes appears to have the upper hand. If we’re not careful, it’s easy to become bitter, suspicious, critical, negative, despairing, or hopeless. Our readings today remind us that we are a hopeful people, confident in God’s sovereign goodness, trusting in God’s mercy, and resting in God’s promises. Today, let us trust that God is working behind the scenes for our good; today let us anticipate taking our place at Christ’s table in the Kingdom of God.
Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
I went hiking this weekend with my roommate and some of our friends. While it was lovely to get out and do something in nature, there was a very specific moment where I remember getting frustrated at the way I was walking. Whenever I go out to hike or find myself on any kind of trail that isn’t well-worn or paved, I spend most of my time looking directly downwards, watching where I put my feet. While there’s certainly nothing wrong
with looking at my steps, in retrospect I get frustrated – I already have a pretty good sense of what my hiking shoes look like, it’d be nice to take some time enjoying my surroundings! I might as well be walking the same trails every time, since no matter where I go, the view is the same!
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
In this 30th week of Ordinary time, we continue our daily walk with Jesus, counting and celebrating the weeks of our commitment. As we do so, we continue to hear from the gospel according to St. Luke. Today’s story strikes a familiar theme: Jesus heals on the Sabbath to the dismay of the leader of the synagogue. Jesus then defends himself, humiliating his adversaries. But certainly Jesus’ intent was not to hurt his adversaries. Instead, Jesus wanted to help them see the world as God sees it. He wanted them to understand Sabbath worship as a gift for their good, rather than as a restriction. When he drives out Satan from this woman, Jesus is reclaiming her for God. He is allowing her to live in freedom, and to worship God out of that freedom.
Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
I think it is human nature for us to look at others and see the need for change while ignoring the work that needs to be done for our own improvement. Today’s readings remind us that the Spirit of Christ is within us, and we need to focus on how we can allow the Spirit to be more alive in our lives. We our called to “cultivate” the soil of our souls, so we can bear fruit for the world.
Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
We are mortal beings. We have bodies that die, no matter what we do or don’t do; we know that our bodies are limited and will eventually stop working. And I think I am not alone in some days appreciating my God-given body when it is working well and I am feeling fine and in tune with our Creator, and other days not-so-much. I find some comfort in knowing that St. Paul struggled at times with his “mortal body” as we read today in his letter to the Romans (7:18-25a) with some intensity, “Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?”
Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel passage from Luke is one of those that always gives us reason to pause. Isn’t Jesus associated with peace on earth? Isn’t Christianity a “family values” kind of faith? Then why does Jesus say here that he came to establish division? Why does he describe the rending of families?
Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
I am a procrastinator. I have been one all my life. I have many memories of writing papers for English class in the middle of the night. Even though I knew about this 10-page paper for weeks I waited until the last possible hours to sit down and write. Yes, the topic was often percolating in my mind during those weeks – I was thinking about what to write, but I refused to put pen to paper until the last possible minute. There is something about the impending deadline that gives me the needed stress and pressure to get the job done. I have always responded well to having a deadline and I usually meet that deadline.
Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
I love to think about how “where sin increase[s], grace overflow[s] all the more” (Romans 5:20), because we need a lot of grace. As a person who lives in the world, it’s so easy to direct my attention at the world around me. When I pay attention the world around me, it’s a lot easier for me to see all the sin in the world, and to miss the grace that is present, as well. Paul reminds us in today’s first reading (Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21) that where Adam’s sin gave us death, Jesus’ death gives us life. While we became sinners through the disobedience of Adam, we are told that we can be made righteous through Jesus.
Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Luke, the Evangelist. Author of the gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, Luke has been known as a physician and companion of St. Paul the Apostle. To him we owe much of our knowledge concerning the beginnings of Jesus on earth, such as Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, the Nativity at Bethlehem, the visit of the shepherds, Jesus’ presentation in the Temple, and the loss and finding of the boy Jesus in the Temple. To Luke we also owe much of our knowledge about the beginnings of the Church. His adventure story of the Acts of the Apostles has been described as a history written in the tradition of Greek historians at the time. Luke was an eyewitness to these early Church events and saw fit to record them for the benefit of the Church.
Saturday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s reading from Romans is like a two-for-one. It is a new testament passage that relies heavily on Genesis. We are getting a taste of the Old Testament and the New at the same time. We’re also getting a reminder about the primacy of faith and grace.
Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Our 4-year-old son, Francis, is a big fan of the music from Casting Crowns. Lately, his favorite song is, “Even When Your Running”, or as he likes to call it, “Casting Crowns number five” (signifying that it is the fifth track on their album titled Only Jesus--another of his favorites). I confess that I had not paid attention to the lyrics until today; and only because of Francis did I pay attention to them today. For context, I’m sharing the lyrics for the end of the song:
And you don't need another place to hide
He'll find you in your darkest night
His love is holding on to you
Even when you're running
Even when you're running
It's time to stop running now
You don't have to have it figured out
All you need to do is turn around
And the Father will come running
Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
I have the great privilege of teaching the capstone course for the English major at the University of Dayton. The course focuses on the question of calling or vocation—what that is, why it matters, how one figures out one’s calling or vocation, and so forth. A number of readings in the course talk about how important writing and talking about our stories is to discovering our vocations.
Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
This is a unique day when the weekday readings all line up around a common theme. Today’s readings are clear, direct, and hopefully capture our attention. God’s word may make us squirm a bit today as we’re invited to consider the extent to which we judge others and our inherent self-righteousness. St Paul and Jesus are both animated and forceful in their words and message. Come, Holy Spirit, give us open and receptive hearts to your challenging directives; create in us a humble, contrite, and willing spirit to listen to your voice and to obey your will. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us, calling us to account, and showing us the pathway to life. Thank you, Father, for your priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience.
Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel passage from Luke features Jesus, seemingly chastising the crowd. Drawing on the Old Testament stories of Jonah and Solomon, Jesus is trying to communicate that he is the sign. Jesus is the revelation of God’s love for his people. But rather than recognizing that, the people continue to seek something more exciting. Jesus’ reference to Jonah indicates that Jesus too calls the people to repent of their evil ways, chief of which is not prioritizing God. Hence he also refers to Solomon’s wisdom, indicating that Jesus is greater than Solomon. The people are called to acknowledge Jesus as God’s love incarnate. And in the face of that God, they ought to repent in order to seek him more fully.
Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
The Pharisee in today’s Gospel (Luke 11:37-41) doesn’t seem like that bad of a guy. There are plenty of scenes in the Gospels where we see Pharisees reacting to Jesus with hostility, but this doesn’t feel like one of them. There’s no jeering, no murmuring to other Pharisees, and no sense of ill will towards Jesus. The Gospel just tells us that the Pharisee invited Jesus in for dinner and is “amazed” that He didn’t observe the prescribed washing (Luke 11:38).
Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
I am the kind of person that likes accomplishing a task and enjoying the final product. Whether it is tasting and enjoying a freshly baked loaf of bread or admiring the newly cut lawn, there is a sense of joy and satisfaction as I relish the fruits of my work. This is something that cannot be done when living out our lives as disciples. Jesus reminds his followers that we are called to “hear the word of God and observe it.” As a disciple of Christ, we listen and follow Christ, but our joy should not come in the results, but in the daily living of the gospel truths.