Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
I found today’s gospel reading for the feast of St. Francis de Sales (John 15: 9-17) to be both beautiful and challenging. Jesus is speaking to his disciples about his love for them, the invitation to “remain” in that love, and the joy that comes as a result. As followers of Jesus, we are called to remain in his love as well. And to keep his commandment, which is stated twice in this reading, and is simply this: “love one another.”
Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s scripture reading highlights how Jesus was often surrounded by crowds during his ministry. Sometimes these gatherings were so large that people had to find other ways to access Jesus. For example, they opened up the roof of a house to lower a person to be in Jesus’ presence. What were the reasons that people thronged to see and hear Jesus, and would we be a part of that crowd?
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
In today’s Gospel we see Jesus healing a man with a withered hand. This encounter takes place in the Synagogue with religious leaders, the Pharisees, closely observing and critiquing. Jesus is both angry and grieved by these men of God and their posture toward him and the man in need. Jesus’ emotional response to the situation moves me deeply. Let us ask the Lord to heal our hardened hearts so that they might become softer, more pliable, and more profoundly receptive to the Lord.
Memorial of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
I’m not often good at keeping Sunday as a day of rest and reflection. I get too caught up in preparing for the week, and distractions every Sunday. I might take moments of rest, but I certainly fall short in taking the opportunity to pray and reflect in addition to that rest. I put so much work into being prepared for the logistics of the week (meals, laundry, email, etc.) that I fail to recognize how God is with me in those preparations and how God might walk with me in the week to come. I become disillusioned to the fact that in some ways “Sabbath” calls us to actually do work – prayer can certainly be restful and rejuvenating but it also means putting in the work to grow with God.
Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
“They learned obedience from what they had suffered…” Hebrews 5:10
Today we commemorate three martyrs: Fabian (250 CE), Sebastian (300 CE), and Martin Luther King (1968 CE). Fabian & Sebastian were martyred only 50 years apart. King’s death 1,600 years later reveals that the age of the martyrs will not end until the Lord Jesus himself returns in glory.
Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading and Gospel both have the theme of forgiveness and mercy. Jesus said that he came to call sinners, and the letter writer to the Hebrews writes that because Jesus lived among us, he understands what we go through in life; therefore, we can ask God for mercy. We are not doomed to live in the mire of our sinfulness. If Jesus can call and choose to be with tax collectors and other despised people, there is hope for us. Forgiveness and hope are connected to each other.
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
One of my first introductions to the parish was my presentation of a series on Mark, entitled “Wild & Untamed: Encountering the Jesus of Mark.” It wasn’t the first time I have lived intimately with this Gospel. I led several parish missions on Mark including one at St. Helen back in the 90s. I also had the opportunity to teach a course on Mark at Xavier University.
Memorial of St. Anthony, Abbott
How much did Santa pay to park his sleigh? Nothing, it’s on the house. If you are like my kids, they just sigh and say in a long, drawn out tone, “Daaaddd” (eye roll included). Full disclosure, the joke is borrowed from the small calendar that sits on my desk in my office which offers a daily dad joke. Nonetheless, being fresh off the Christmas season, today’s Gospel caused me to think of Santa Claus. While Santa may be a legendary character loosely based on the actions and deeds of a Catholic bishop from centuries ago, it is in fact the faith, works, compassion, and love that is rooted in this idea of Santa that draws so much power toward his persona. Santa is a man of mighty and magical good works. Likewise, our psalm reminds us, “Do not forget the works of the Lord!” (Ps. 78:7b) And, though this is quite a bit of a stretch, how much did the paralytic have to pay to be healed by Jesus? Nothing, it was, as they say, on the house.
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading, from Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, highlights Christ’s compassion for His people. He, who is fully divine, humbled himself to also be fully human. Fully human means that he shares in our same struggles and challenges, our same joys and sorrows. He is not a God who we cannot relate to and connect with. Rather Paul tells us that “because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested” (Hebrews 2:18). There are many times I have felt tested – tested in my patience, in my faith, in my compassion. What a beautiful gift that we can turn to Christ for help in those moments.
Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. Scholars debate over whether or not this letter was actually written by Paul or by someone else, mainly because it seems so different from the other letters we are used to reading and hearing. Today’s excerpt is a bit complicated but it is rich and actually quite beautiful in its message. It asks the question about the difference between humans and angels, saying that it was humans to whom God “crowned with glory and honor.” The is an old Jewish story that when God made Adam, he presented his creation to the angels, telling them to bow down in worship of the image of God Adam bore. This letter evokes the same feeling of the absolute dignity and worth of the human being.
Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
He walked along a little further and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were mending their nets. Then he called them, so they left their father Zebedee in the boat and followed him.
Mark: 1:19-20
Today features the call of Jesus' first disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. This is the moment when Christ’s upside-down kingdom begins.
Saturday after Epiphany
In today’s Gospel, Jesus and John the Baptist are baptizing people. John’s disciples approach John and tell him that many people are coming to Jesus, who used to accompany John, to be baptized. Perhaps more people were going to Jesus than John or maybe many of Jesus’ followers were following Jesus instead. Rather than get upset, John is happy, even joyful, that people are going to Jesus. Through John, I believe this reading can teach us about humility.
Friday after Epiphany
Where do you pray? Have you ever thought about where Jesus prayed? Two separate gospel passages this week give us some clues. Today we read, “...he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.” This phrase ends today’s passage from Luke (5:12-16) about Jesus curing a man with leprosy and many others. As word about Jesus’ healing spread, not just crowds, but “great crowds,” gathered to listen to him and “be cured of their ailments.” Jesus was in demand, “but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.”
Thursday after Epiphany
We hear the word “love” used often in our everyday lives. Today’s scripture readings share what love means from a divine standpoint. We believe that our God is a Trinity of three persons-Father, Son and Spirit. Our Triune God reveals that it in within relationships that love is shared. God invites us to participate in this relationship of Love.
Wednesday After Epiphany
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another.” Period. The End. Nothing more to say. I suppose for the sake of this reflection, I should add a bit more content, but I encourage you to pause for a moment and think about that statement (1 John 4:11). Receiving God’s love and sharing it with everyone we encounter characterizes the day-to-day life of a disciple.
Monday after Epiphany
Pop singer James Taylor recorded a song years ago entitled “Home by Another Way”: “Those magic men the magi, some people call them wise or oriental, even kings, well anyway those guys. They visited with Jesus, they sure enjoyed their stay but warned in a dream of King Herod’s schemes they went home by another way. Home by another way! Maybe you and me can be wise guys too and go home by another way. We can make it another way, safe home as they used to say. Keep a weather eye to the chart on high and go home by another way.”
Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
The phrase “Come and you will see” that Jesus said to John’s disciples in today’s Gospel reading reminds me of discernment events and programs with religious congregations/orders, many of which are called “Come and See”. They are invitations to people to inquire and discern becoming a Religious Sister, Brother, or Priest. Looking at the bigger picture of our faith, today’s Gospel can help us reflect on how Jesus is inviting us to a deeper relationship with him.
Christmas Weekday
A week prior to Christmas, our boys both participated in the Immaculate Conception School Christmas play. All of the kids in the play were wonderful and put on a beautiful performance of The Miracle at Midnight. For ten weeks leading up to the program, they stayed after school each Tuesday and Thursday for rehearsal. Vincent was very proud to receive the role he auditioned for, the mayor of Bethlehem’s assistant, Snitley, and he worked hard to memorize his lines and hone his speaking skills in preparation for the performance. On the evening of the play, he nailed each of his lines and delivered an impressive display of energy and some humor. In light of our Gospel today, I was brought back to Vincent’s–I mean, Snitley’s–opening proclamation to kick off the play:
“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
Her honor, the great and mighty one, the grand pooh-bah of pooh-bahs, Mayor Mayer, has an official announcement.
I bring you, Mayor Mayer!”
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
“Yohanan” was among the most popular male first century Jewish names, meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” For most of Christian history the authorship of the Johannine writings (John, I, II, & III John, and the Book of Revelation) has been assigned to John the apostle — son of Zebedee, brother of James, Disciple Whom Jesus Loved and adopted son of Mary. Today’s responsible scholars disagree with this synopsis.
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
As the sun rises on this New Year’s Day, we review the year that has passed and look with hope to the year that lies ahead. Whether you are someone who makes resolutions or not, this time of transition gives us all a moment to think about how we want things to look different a year from now. As I have been praying about the areas in which I most need growth, humility and change in my own life, I find myself drawn to one theme again and again - discipleship.