O Lord Jesus, true Gardener, effect in us what you demand of us. For without you we cannot do anything. You are the true Gardener, the same Creator who cultivates and protects your garden. You plant by your word, water with your Spirit, give growth by your power. You were mistaken, Mary, when you thought […]
Reflection for the Monday of the Thirtieth Week
Readings: Ephesians 4:32-5:8; Luke 13:10-17 After this weekend’s latest violent tragedy in Pittsburgh, it’s appropriate that today’s gospel is set in a synagogue. Appropriate, as a reminder that Jesus was not a white man but a swarthy near-eastern Jew, that he didn’t worship in a Christian church but a synagogue; and that he was unarmed […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Thirtieth Sunday, Year B, 28 October, 2018
Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52 I would draw your attention to one detail in today’s Gospel: Bartimaeus throws off his cloak and runs to Jesus. A poor man’s cloak may be his only possession. If he has to pawn it, the Jewish pawn-broker had to return it to him at sundown, so he […]
1 November, All Saints and 2 November, All Souls
This week we celebrate the solemnity of All Saints on Thursday, 1 November. It is a non-work day for us and we follow the Sunday schedule, so Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow Vespers (5:30 PM). Friday is the annual Commemoration of All Souls. We […]
Friday of the 29th Week of the Year
The psalmist reminds us how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live in unity and in seeking this unity Paul offers three important exhortatory words: bear, strive, and preserve. Although the perfection of unity in community is one which will only be fully realized in the heavenly kingdom, we are called to strive […]
Reflection for Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week
Readings: Ephesians 3:14-21; Luke 212:49-53 I have come to set the earth on fire…Do you think I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. The divisiveness described in today’s Gospel seems a very apt description of the current state of affairs. I look at the contradictory ways […]
Tuesday of the 29th Week of the Year
Servants and offering service do not, typically, conjure up thoughts of privilege or enjoyment. And yet, Jesus seems to align his own eternal happiness with girding himself and waiting upon those who have faithfully longed for his return and opened immediately to his knock. In this we encounter the Christian paradox whereby service and the […]
Reflection for the Wednesday of the 28th Week
Readings: Galatians 5:18-25; Luke 11:42-46 Dante called St. Luke’s the “Gospel of mercy.” However, were I one of the Pharisees or Scribes in today’s Gospel, I probably wouldn’t register “mercy” as Jesus levelled with me. It can be a relief to see Jesus express his anger, though that’s no justification for my own outbursts. What […]
Friday of the 27th Week of the Year
Jesus is not typically associated with either/or thinking and black and white categories; but today is one instance when he does: Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Interestingly, Jesus doesn’t say whoever is not for me is against me, but whoever is not with me […]
Reflection for Monday of the 27th Week
Readings: Galatians 1:6-12; Luke 10:25-37 I recognize three strong emotions behind today’s parable, known as “the Good Samaritan.” The first is operative before the narrative begins: anger. There must have been anger–resentment against the system or family, frustration of being unable to get ahead–motivating the robbers who stripped and beat up this traveler to Jericho. […]