Remember the promises
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
Don’t waste any time
The Second Sunday of Advent – December 3, 2023 By tradition, the opening lines of the Gospels correspond to their evangelist’s symbolic creature: Matthew is a winged human; Luke a winged bull; John’s symbol is an eagle. And today’s Gospel … Read More
In God’s image alone
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – December 3, 2023 How beautiful that we have so many images of Mary, the mother of Jesus! How wonderful that in every nation, language, and culture where the … Read More
Don’t be caught sleeping
The First Sunday of Advent – December 3, 2023 The thirteenth chapter of Mark’s Gospel is a strange place to begin Advent. Today’s passage comes right before Jesus’s passion, and the marking of the nightwatch hours foreshadows what comes next: … Read More
“When did we see you?”
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe – November 26, 2023 “Lord, when did we see you?” ask the sheep and goats in today’s final parable of Matthew’s Gospel on this last Sunday of the liturgical … Read More
Wonder and Awe
33rd Sunday Ordinary Time – A – November 19, 2023 Don’t be tempted to give a simplistic interpretation of today’s Gospel that sounds like a lesson in good investment practices or a lead-in to the annual stewardship appeal. Instead, think … Read More
Witness to hope
32nd Sunday Ordinary Time – A – November 12, 2023 For those who live in earthquake country, the thought of “the big one” cannot consume our lives lest we live in constant fear. Similarly, I doubt today’s Gospel calls us … Read More
Humility and transparency
31st Sunday Ordinary Time – A – September 24, 2023 A wise bishop and canon lawyer once told me that canon law is ultimately meant to be pastoral, and when it ceases to be pastoral, it is no longer law. … Read More
From the beginning
Solemnity of All Saints and The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) So much of our Christian faith is grounded in embracing death. In baptism we are plunged into fonts that often bear similarities to tombs. Saint days … Read More
Manifested in love
30th Sunday Ordinary Time – A – September 24, 2023 Today, Jesus reveals what faithfulness to God’s law looks like—complete and total love of God, neighbor, and self. Combining love of God (Dt 6:5) with love of one’s neighbor as … Read More