If you’ve ever watched television coverage of major sports events, you will probably have noticed that large companies and businesses are willing to pay large sums of money simply to have their name or logo on the sporting attire of a sport celebrity—all because it is believed to be a very effective means of advertising. […]

All Saints, Wednesday, 1 November, 2023: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a Aren’t all the conditions described as “Blessed” in today’s Gospel, much more liminal situations than virtues of my own concocting? Doesn’t meekness or mercy, only emerge when I find myself in situations beyond my devising? They are not responses I have […]

A couple of weeks ago, Sr. Dorothy Gilloley, a regular retreatant here, sent me this Prayer for Peace in the Middle East: God of mercy and compassion, of grace and reconciliation, pour your power upon your children in the Middle East: Jews, Muslims and Christians, Palestinians and Israelis. Let hatred be turned into love, fear […]

Twenty-Eighth Sunday, Year A, 15 October, 2023: Isaiah 25:6-10a; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14 Matthew’s version of this parable probably elaborates Jesus’ original teaching, more accurately reported in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 14:16-24). Matthew has added the details of the king, the king’s son, the abuse of the king’s messengers and the king’s vengeance, as well […]

It is still rather common to hear people (even unbelievers) speak of having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. In invoking this image people are usually describing a situation of inner conflict in which two contrary options are vying for our attention and choice. Saint Paul spoke, instead, of that […]

Twenty-Fifth Sunday, YR A, 24 September, 2023: Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:20-24, 27a; Matthew 20:1-16 Today’s Gospel could address our culture afflicted with entitlement. Or should I suggest that the laborers hired at the beginning of the day might rejoice in the good fortune of those hired in the late afternoon? Well, I believe that’s easier […]

As Christians we have become so accustomed to seeing the crucifix in our churches and homes that we can perhaps forget the horrific suffering it represents. When we do reflect on that suffering, the Exaltation of the Cross—that cruel instrument of torture and execution—can seem scandalously insensitive to what Christ underwent for our salvation. Indeed, […]

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 10 September, 2023: Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20      If I’m looking for a calculus to cut off someone, I won’t find it in today’s Gospel. Jesus’ instruction makes every effort to ensure respect for the person who sins against me. And his final point is very challenging in […]

Lifeguards attempting to rescue a drowning person are sometimes hindered in their attempts by the panicking of the one they are rescuing. This usually results in their wildly thrashing around in the water and being unable to stop trying to save themselves and allow the lifeguard to do his/her work. This is somewhat analogous to […]

Nineteenth Sunday, Year A, 13 August, 2023: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew14:22-33 It’s too easy for a preacher to present Simon Peter as an impulsive, unthinking negative example for Christian disciples to avoid. Granted, none of the twelve Apostles garner high marks in comprehension during Jesus’ lifetime, but to reduce them to bad […]