But as for me, whatever is lacking in my own resources I appropriate for myself from the heart of the Lord, which overflows with mercy.  And there is no lack of clefts by which they are poured out.  …  But the nail that pierced him has become for me a key unlocking the sight of […]

The Ascension, although not quite the culminating solemnity of this glorious Easter Season is one in which we come back full circle—back to where it all began: In a garden, standing before a tree laden with forbidden fruit. As we know, our First Parents defied our Creator’s command and, at the Ancient Serpent’s beguiling suggestion, […]

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A, 14 May, 2023: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21      Our Mass Readings shift the focus from the event of Jesus’ Resurrection to his progress through the Ascension to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.      What this indicates is that we are wrapped up in the […]

Monday, 1 May, St. Joseph the Worker: Genesis 1:26-2:3; Matthew 13:54-58 The Book of Genesis reminds us that work is our humble collaboration with God’s creativity. But Matthew’s Gospel depicts the dangers of identifying a person with his work or family: because his neighbors only know Jesus as the carpenter’s son, they can’t accept him […]

Low Sunday, 16 April, 2023: Acts: 2:42-47; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31      Well over a century-and-a-half ago, George MacDonald, a Scottish clergyman and novelist, wrote, “Seeing is not believing.” He was referring to today’s Gospel.     I agree. Thomas may say: Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put […]

Easter Sunday, 9 April, 2023: Acts: 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9 The older I become, the more the events of Holy Week ring so true! I can identify with the confusion, the fears, the disillusionment of Peter or Mary of Magdala. How often life educates our expectations, overthrowing the “happily-ever-after” scenario, fit only for […]

Thursday of the 5th WK of Lent: Genesis 17:3-9; John 8:51-59 Again, in John’s Gospel, Jesus identifies himself as I AM. I could search the mention of that name in the Scriptures, or receive it as an article of doctrine, or try to understand it in terms of metaphysics. All of these have value for […]

25 March, Annunciation: Isaiah 7:10-2, 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 We read of Mary’s Son in the First Chapter of Luke’s Gospel: …the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end. In the […]

2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a This week our pilgrimage to Jesus’ Passion is interrupted by two Solemnities that recall his human origins. Jesus’ place in our human realm is as dependent upon the good will of Saint Joseph as upon the consent of Mary. Jesus’ birth would […]

Monday of the 3rd WK of Lent: 2 Kings 5:1-15; Luke 4:24-30 Jesus is very realistic about rejection; it is even valuable, validating his prophetic mission. By contrast, a present day “Influencer” might consult a strategist, were his or her ratings disappointing on the internet. How dependent we are on approval! We reduce reality to […]