Straining forward
Fifth Sunday of Lent – C Let’s be honest. Many of us who have given our lives to the church are burnt out. We’re done for. Especially for music ministers, these past two years have been brutal. Anyone who has … Read More
The road to conversion
Fourth Sunday of Lent – C “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor 5:17). This Sunday marks a little over two years since the world was … Read More
The Creed enlightens our vision
Third Sunday of Lent – C During the Third Week of Lent, the elect to be initiated into Christ are presented the Creed. Just before the faithful proclaim it to them, the elect are instructed to “listen carefully to the … Read More
Observe and imitate
Second Sunday of Lent – C “Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us” (Phil 3:17), Saint Paul urges the church at … Read More
The Word of Faith
First Sunday of Lent – C The notes on a page are not the song, the printed rhythms and rests, not the music. No rules of theory or knowledge of music history can be mistaken for the moment a melody … Read More
Authentic Ambassadors
Ash Wednesday – C In baptism, the Spirit makes us ambassadors for Christ. To be an ambassador means we are sent to dwell in unfamiliar environments. Therefore, we are also diplomats committed to working together toward reconciliation through gracious and … Read More
Prepare for the Rite of Sending
8th Sunday Ordinary Time – C Next Sunday, catechumens around the world who are ready for initiation will be sent to the Rite of Election where their bishop will choose them for baptism this Easter. In the United States, the … Read More
The reign of abundance
7th Sunday Ordinary Time – C Luke’s sermon on the plain, begun last week, stretches over three Sundays in the lectionary. Today, Jesus continues teaching about the new kind of community that God’s reign is building. In the old, earthly … Read More
Be aware, be hopeful
6th Sunday Ordinary Time – C At first glance, Luke’s Beatitudes seem to make God’s reign a zero-sum game: if you’re poor now, wait and you’ll be rich in heaven; if you’re filled now, you’ll be hungry soon enough. But … Read More
Don’t miss the boat
5th Sunday Ordinary Time – C To treat today’s Gospel passage as a springboard for a talk on vocations would be to miss the boat, pun intended. The call of Peter, James, and John gives us so much more to … Read More