The Second Sunday of Lent – February 25, 2024 In the Sunday Lectionary, the first reading is meant to complement the Gospel pericope. Why then is the Transfiguration paired with the testing of Abraham? Both are “terrifying” in different ways. … Read More
The First Sunday of Lent – February 18, 2024 Last we heard these readings, the world was one year into a global pandemic. For many of us, it felt like we had been stuck in an ark all year while … Read More
Ash Wednesday – February 14, 2024 “There’s no crying in baseball!” we hear in A League of Their Own. But according to the prophet Joel, there sure need to be a few tears shed in repentance: “Even now, says the … Read More
The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 11, 2024 So far, Jesus has been moving about Galilee with relative freedom and ease. But after healing a leper, he experiences a reversal of roles. The leper, once isolated from public, … Read More
The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 4, 2024 If you’re tempted to make any mother-in-law jokes today, restrain yourself. The subject of Jesus’s first healing miracle in Mark’s Gospel—like all women in the Gospels—deserves more respect and serious … Read More
The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – January 28, 2024 Inaugurating his public ministry, Jesus proclaimed this message: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). Then … Read More
The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – January 14, 2023 Most homilists preach about becoming “fishers of men” by either focusing on vocations to the priesthood or rippling out the call to discipleship to be an invitation for all who … Read More
The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – January 14, 2023 When Jesus asks John’s disciples, “What are you looking for?” I’ve always been baffled by their non-sequitur response, “Where are you staying?” But the term “rabbi” is the bridge, connecting … Read More
The Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 3, 2023 No one else in the course of history other than Mary of Nazareth has ever or will ever give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. No one else will give … Read More
The Third Sunday of Advent – December 3, 2023 Tell someone to “just be happy,” and you often get a cheesy, fake grin in return. The Third Sunday of Advent commands us, “Rejoice!” Unless we go deeper into why we … Read More