Made for the occasion
Third Sunday of Ordinary Time – Jan 26, 2025 “Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion” (Neh 8:4). When Ezra read to the people from the book of the law, he did … Read More
Break forth in our midst
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time – Jan 19, 2025 What would have happened at the banquet if Mary had not paid attention to the kitchen staff and spoken up when she saw their urgent need? It was her intervention and … Read More
The closeness of God
Fourth Sunday of Advent – Dec 22, 2024 “Do not forget that closeness, proximity, was God’s most authentic language,” said Pope Francis. “That style of God, of closeness, went farther, farther and farther until it reached that great, essential closeness: … Read More
Make room for Christ’s joy
Third Sunday of Advent – Dec 15, 2024 Today we get the great opening line from the second reading: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). Why is joy so important that Paul has to … Read More
Co-laboring with the Creator
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Dec 9, 2024 The annual singing of the Easter Exsultet proclaims, “O truly necessary sin of Adam, destroyed completely by the Death of Christ! O happy fault that earned … Read More
Destined for the joy of salvation
Second Sunday of Advent – Dec 8, 2024 In stark contrast to last Sunday, today’s set of readings are some of the most hope-filled and consoling poetry in our lectionary. From the lavish imagery of Baruch, to the tender affection … Read More
The good news of Advent
First Sunday of Advent – Dec 1, 2024 As she loaded her grocery bags into her car, my friend heard a street preacher make an odd comment as he tried to evangelize the shoppers in the busy parking lot. The … Read More
Changed into Christ’s presence
Thanksgiving Day – November 28, 2024 Most of us don’t get handwritten letters in the mail anymore. Instead, our mailboxes are filled with bills, ads, and end-of-the-year solicitations, and our inboxes numb us with spam, more ads, and work. In … Read More
Establish peace with peace
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe – November 24, 2024 Seven years after World War I, Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King. Earlier that year, Adolf Hitler published Mein Kampf, and … Read More
Wherever hope is dimmed
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – November 17, 2024 We come almost full circle since we began the Year of Mark, and today’s Gospel should sound familiar. The verses that follow this pericope were proclaimed on the First Sunday of … Read More