In our daily use of various electrical appliances, we usually don’t give much thought to the electricity that powers them. Upon completion of a task we simply unplug the appliance and don’t have any direct relationship to the electricity that powers it. Electricity is thus a valued means to a desired end, often taken for […]

The tiny mustard seed—we must remember—was once indistinguishable from the lofty shrub that bore it. And, in being formed, and falling to the ground, appears to diminish, so that on reaching the ground, is virtually nothing in comparison with its lofty and vibrant parent. Furthermore, this process of diminishment and apparent descent into total insignificance […]

Corpus Christi, 2 June, 2024: Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14 :12-16 ; 22-26 In Jesus’ Day, the Passover meal could only be celebrated in Jerusalem, feasting on the lamb which had been sacrificed in the Temple. So when Mark notes those facts, he is describing a supper which is fundamentally a sacrifice. Jesus blesses […]

Fire and water are usually considered contraries, with water extinguishing fire, and fire burning away moisture. It is thus interesting that these apparent opposites are both used as images of the Holy Spirit. In the Book of Acts, we encounter the Spirit as fire—with tongues of flame coming to rest on the disciples gathered in […]

According to Saint John’s account of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene initially interpreted the empty tomb as the result of someone having taken the body; however, in Saint Mark’s account she is simply amazed. Now although amazement doesn’t necessarily indicate incredulity, there is an element of not quite believing one’s eyes. Amazement is thus linked to […]

Please Note: Gift Shop will be closed this Thursday and Friday afternoon. But the Gift Shop will be OPEN this Saturday morning and afternoon. The Gift Shop will be OPEN on Easter Sunday Afternoon also.

I can’t tell from this Gospel who these Greeks are or why they want to meet Jesus. Since they are in Jerusalem for the Passover, do they have some notion of the Messiah, or the Judean subjection to a Roman governor? Are they expecting Jesus to be a Jewish leader, political or spiritual? I can’t […]

Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent: HOS 14:2-10; MK 12:28-24 This dialogue in Mark’s Gospel occurs in the last week of Jesus’ life after many contentious encounters with scribes and others. But Jesus allows this scribe to respond honestly; he listens to the person, does not presume opposition. To which of his disciples did […]

Second Sunday of Lent, Year B: Genesis 22:1-2, 9a,10-13, 15-18; Romans 8:31b-34; Mark 9:2-20 Although this Gospel describes a very extraordinary spiritual experience, like all spiritual breakthroughs, it needs to be carefully considered, reconsidered and digested over time. Look at Peter’s knee-jerk reaction: he would box Jesus, Moses and Elijah into individual tents to capture […]

Thursday after Ash Wednesday: DEUT 30:15-20; LK 9:22-25 Both readings bring us to that precarious boundary between life and death, presence and absence. A quote from Metropolitan Anthony Bloom: The day when God is absent, when he is silent—that is the beginning of prayer…when we say to God, ‘I can’t live without you, why are […]