Solemnity of All Saints
“Who’s your favorite saint?” Has someone ever asked you that question or have you asked it of others? Whenever I ask people about their favorite saint and the reasons why, they usually say they admire a particular quality or characteristic of that saint. Today’s feast, the Solemnity of All Saints, invites us to reflect on the saints we admire and the meaning of sainthood itself.
Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
I learned something new today. Actually, I learned several new things today, all related to today’s gospel passage from Luke (14:1-6) about the cure of the man with dropsy on the sabbath. First, I learned what dropsy is. (To be fair, I may have looked it up in the past and forgot.) Dropsy is an abnormal swelling of the body due to accumulation and retention of fluid. Luke tells us that Jesus saw in front of him a man suffering from this and he was moved to heal him, even on the sabbath.
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings help remind us that we are “loved sinners” through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
In the gospel reading, Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem knowing that this is where He will die and on the third day rise to “accomplish my purpose.” He has deep compassion for the people and describes his love like a hen “gathering her brood under her wings.” He is resolute to continue on this journey to Jerusalem, since He knows this is where He will demonstrate the fullness of God’s love and mercy.
Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
When asked a difficult question, Jesus responds today in true Jesus fashion - by side-stepping the question a bit and offering a story. The story begins with some advice: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” And then it continues. You may find the door locked, and you’ll knock and the master will answer. You’ll ask to be let in, and the master will essentially ask, “Who do you think you are?”
Feasts of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Today’s feast celebrates Simon and Jude, two of the last apostles that Jesus called by name from among his disciples after spending the night in prayer. After teaching them about his vision of the Reign of God – where the poor, the hungry and the sorrowing are blessed, - and having them with him as he went about healing all sorts of people, he would “send” them ahead of him to take up his preaching and healing mission. The letter to the Ephesians tells us that we are built on the foundation of these apostles. And that, “In Him (Christ Jesus) you (we) also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
You have received a spirit of adoption through which we cry, Abba! Father! - Romans 8:15
As I grow older (and older) there are changes galore in my life, as there are for anyone at the age of 72. Illness and death are the biggest ones, loved ones lost along the way and that’s just for starters. A sure sign of change is in how I am addressed these days. To my family in Youngstown I will always be “Timmy” even if I reach 100. My children call me dad or pop (and “the old man” when I’m not around) and my grandchildren “grampy.” 40 years in the classroom I was “mister” and sometimes “sir.” Some of the boys called me “Cron-dog” which I never quite understood but was told was a compliment.
Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus offers us a striking parable today which highlights the patient mercy of God alongside an urgent call to repentance. Given that God is infinitely patient and abundantly merciful, why this hasty summons to repent? Because we never know when our life will be demanded of us! God also invites us, in love, to live abundantly in the blessedness of fellowship with him. That abundant life becomes possible as we repent and experience interior conversion. We walk in greater joy and peace that way, and we become freer, less impeded channels of God’s love to others. God is patient, but what are we waiting for?!
Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
“Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?” The words of St. Paul from today’s first reading, his letter to the Romans. So many years ago and yet how many of us can relate even today? “The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not,” also from Paul’s letter. This reminds me of Jesus’ words to Peter when he and the other disciples fell asleep while praying in the garden of Gethsemane, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) These later named saints were human and struggled with living their faith in their mortal bodies, just like us.
Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
“The wages of sin are death.” - Paul’s Letter to the Romans, 6:23a.
Death. There is nothing more certain in life than death (and taxes). Jews, Christians, and Moslems believe that death is the result of sin (separation from God), death itself being “the wages of sin,” Our culture's response to the reality of death is often denial. Or we might hear, “live for today as tomorrow we die.” A beer commercial expressed a similar sentiment: “You only go around once so grab for all the gusto.”
Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus reminds us today that we do not know when the thief of death will come or the master will return in fullness. We need to be prepared. To make preparations now. All of this is true. And, it can feel overwhelming and a bit scary. It can feel like another burden to carry, another thing to do, another rule to follow.
Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, texts that invite us to be ever ready for God’s coming increase in frequency. Today’s Scriptures give us wisdom on what it is God is asking of us - obedience, following God’s law, doing God’s will and announcing God’s justice. At first glance, this seems a tall order and somewhat legalistic to my North American ear. Let’s explore the deeper meaning of the text.
Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
In 2024 31 billionaires passed away the world over. Most recent deaths of billionaires include Giorgio Armani, the 91-year-old fashion icon, who died in September 2025, and Indian auto parts billionaire Sunjay Kapur who passed away in June 2025 after swallowing a bee during a polo match. He had an internal bee sting. Their deaths brought home the reality that, as the Irish say, “there are no pockets on shrouds.” In other words, “You can’t take it with you.”
Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist
In our Gospel reading for today, we hear at least three lessons for anyone heading out into the world to spread the Good News of Jesus. And remember, they come to us straight from Jesus. He is trying to teach us how to evangelize in his name. So, we probably should pay attention.
Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Autumn is upon us with its beauty and melancholy as the days shorten and nature reminds us of our own eventual death. The Church also reminds us of our and our loved ones’ mortality as we approach All Souls Day in a couple of weeks (preceded by All Saints Day). And liturgically today as we celebrate the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr, we are given the reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, reminding us of our hope in the resurrection of the body, not just the soul.
Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Romans is being highlighted this week in the first readings for daily Mass. St. Paul spends a fair amount of time discussing righteousness and faith. My understanding of what “righteousness” means for us is being in “right- relationship” with God, and therefore being in “right- relationship” with others. How are we called to be in relationship with God who is transcendent, omnipotent, and beyond our understanding? And how does this relationship with God lead to us to healthy and holy kinship with others and creation?
Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Jesus is not happy today. “Woe to you!” I can imagine Jesus pointing a finger at the Pharisees. And sometimes, when I pray with this text, I worry: Is Jesus pointing a finger at me? “Woe to you, Kelly!” Yikes! No doubt that self-examination is a good thing. And, I wonder, what is the good news today? How can we keep from swirling in worry that we are being condemned?
Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
An eye-doctor who I met recently listened to me share about the frustration with my glasses. I shared with her how many times I have to take my glasses off in order to function. Without my glasses I can only see about two feet with them on I can’t read. She asked me why I did not have bifocals. My own eye doctor told me it is best to wait as long as possible to get them. This doctor shared with me that waiting may make it impossible for my eyes and brain to adapt to bifocals. Her point of view gave me a new perspective on how to see near and far through the same set of lenses.
Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
The word “sign” is significant in Luke’s Gospel today. Life is full of signs: signs advertising products, traffic signs. Sacraments are signs. People reveal approval or disapproval through facial signs and body language. It is essential to pay attention to signs of the material and spiritual kinds and even dangerous not to do so.
Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
What does it mean to be a Christian? Many people say being a Christian means that they believe in Jesus- and this is true, but there is so much more. Jesus tells us in today’s gospel that “those who hear the word of God and observe it” are in fact the ones that are blessed. It is through our living that we most profoundly demonstrate that we are Christians- or disciples of Jesus.
Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
As humans, we have a tendency to categorize people into groups of “us” and “them.” Likely an evolutionary development for survival, our modern brains continue with that tendency to divide people into those categories of those that we belong to, thereby feeling safe and protected by (“us”), and those that we don’t belong to, deemed potentially unsafe and feared and therefore rejected or even attacked (“them”). This seems to pervade much of our social/societal interactions even in today’s “civilized” world, including within our own religion and church(es). Today’s gospel reading from Luke seems to reflect this same sort of tendency.