It is one of those perplexing paradoxes of the spiritual life that an increase in signs of God’s power at work in our world can actually weaken both faith and authentic freedom. If we recall that Hebrews defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things never seen, then great […]

The more deficient our self-knowledge, the less likely we are to recognize and acknowledge the truer and deeper motives for our decisions and actions. For, although we may not necessarily act with ulterior motives, we often do act with mixed motives. And it is usually the good motives that we are more conscious of, while […]

John 5: 17-30 Judging others is something we all do. But, unlike Jesus—whose judgment is always just—ours rarely is! One major reason for this is that, unlike Jesus, we do seek our own will. Consequently, we are more likely to judge others unfavorably (and unjustly) when they interfere or oppose our will—and more favorably when […]

The truly humble person receives forgiveness with deep gratitude and even joy. In contrast, the proud person—like the servant in today’s gospel—experiences forgiveness as humiliating and thus seeks to humiliate his fellow servant, in turn. The really proud person is actually incapable of receiving forgiveness and this, perhaps, helps explain why the devil was never […]

Although Saint Benedict denounces obedience that is cringing, half-hearted, grudging and accompanied by grumbling, the story of Jonah reminds us that God can still work in and through us even when our obedience is imperfect and not completely willing. After his dramatic and terrifying escape from the belly of a giant fish Jonah finally takes […]

In listening to today’s gospel it is important to acknowledge that there is a sense in which we all have a measure of deafness along with a speech impediment. This is not necessarily a physical deafness, but rather the ability to truly listen; and not so much a physical speech impediment, as the inability to […]

Ever since Eden, when Adam and Eve blamed the serpent for their disobedience, we human beings have been blaming people, problematic circumstances, and other external factors for our bad behaviors and sinful actions. Jesus, however, is reminding us that external pressures, influences, temptations and other inducements to sin (that seem to originate solely from outside […]

In describing his own dramatic conversion from being a persecutor of Christ to becoming his zealous disciple, Paul was also detailing some of the inspiration for his later teaching on the Mystical Body of Christ. This great mystery affirms an ineffable and complete union of Christ with his disciples. Thus, his protest: Saul, Saul, why […]

As Saint Paul reminded us, God has no favorites, and does not parcel out his love according to the nature of our relationship with Christ—be that mother, sister, or brother. Instead, it is solely our capacity to accept and receive God’s love that determines the degree of God’s love poured into our hearts. Doing the […]

Although theologians and religious thinkers have sought to illustrate the compatibility of faith and reason, there are instances when reason must be suspended (or at least live with still unresolved questions) while faith nevertheless embraces the deeper reality those questions address. Similarly, in our journey of faith, reason sometimes has to yield to blind faith […]