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 […]
Fruitcake News
Good News! The smaller fruitcakes are now once again available in the Gift Shop—for now the price (without tax) remains $25.00. The large round cakes will become available later in the year.
Friday in the Easter Octave
Today’s gospel is reminiscent of another occasion when Jesus asked Peter to put out into the deep and lower his nets for a catch—after a similar fruitless night of fishing. A significant difference is that on that earlier occasion, Peter was somewhat reluctant, explaining: Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Easter Sunday
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 […]
The Presence of the Risen Christ
As Catholics with our belief in what has come to be called the “real presence” of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine, we can sometimes be thought to believe that Christ is more present in our chapels and churches (where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved), and thus not present, or “less” present in places […]
Fr. James’ Reflection on Mass Reading
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 […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Annunciation of the Lord
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 […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Solemnity of Saint Joseph
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 […]
Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent
“So near and yet so far,” is an expression sometimes used to describe a situation in which the attainment of a desired goal seems very close, yet just out of reach. Perhaps this describes the Scribe (in today’s gospel) whom Jesus assures is not far from the Kingdom of God. Like us he knows what […]
Fr. James’ Scripture Reflection
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 […]