Reflections on the Sunday readings from the Catholic Lectionary for Mass. Includes homilies, sermons, and other thoughts.
The Cost of Discipleship Jesus gives us several hard sayings in today’s gospel that make it sound pretty tough to be a disciple. “Hate your father and mother…take up your …
Discipline is the Key to the Narrow Gate We tend not to like discipline. It brings up unhappy memories of being punished for breaking the rules. Yet, our 2nd reading …
The Goodness of the Body The dogma of the Assumption teaches that, at the end or her earthly life, the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken body and soul to heaven. …
Trusting the Person of Jesus The 2nd reading this weekend holds up our father Abraham as the great model of faith. Yet what is faith really? We tend to equate …
The One Thing Necessary As a Boy Scout, I like to go camping and particularly I like backpacking. Backpacking provides an interesting challenge in that you simply can’t take all …
Mary and the Problem of Evil The first reading today describes several cases of injustice that would seem to cry out for God to “do something about it.” Yet, God’s …
Knowing is Only Half the Battle We are all familiar with the story of the Good Samaritan in today’s gospel. Yet, what do we do with the knowledge gleaned from …
A Warning from Fatima We often tend to ignore the reality of hell. We talk and act as if it didn’t exist. Yet, today’s gospel clearly says that it does, …
Independence Day Today we rightfully give thanks for the blessings of freedom we enjoy in this country. Our scripture readings today also call us to give thanks for an even …
Freedom, Commitment, Fidelity 50th Wedding Anniversary of Joe and Pat McGreevy St. Paul speaks today in the second reading about freedom. Perhaps no other value expresses better the core element …
Why We Believe in the Eucharist The following homily was given at the monastery of Santa Maria Real in Spain while on pilgrimage. A Eucharistic miracle took place here in …
The Courage to Get Up and Go Today we have the celebration of the Feast of the Visitation on the Church calendar combined with the American celebration of Memorial Day. …
A Communion of Love The Trinity is a complicated thing. Today’s homily tells how even the great St. Augustine was reminded that he would never be able to fully understand …
Being a Good Priest We are all familiar with the ordained priesthood, but did you know that everyone who is baptized is a priest? The job of a priest is …
Come Follow Me The story of the “rich young man” in today’s Gospel is a challenge to all of us. This young man received the great call of Jesus to …
Preparing for a Birthday Today’s feast of Pentecost is often called the “birthday” of the Church. It was on this day that the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and the …
Peace Amidst the Troubles of the World Perhaps our natural response to opposition and setbacks is to assume that we have done something wrong. In today’s gospel, Jesus says quite …
Hope for Those Just Passing Through Today’s homily tells the story of a man who came to realize that we really don’t have a lasting home in this world; in …
Roses for Our Mother May is the month in which we traditionally honor Mary and often crown her statues with wreaths of flowers. While this is a special event for …
Following the Spirit In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see how Paul changes his plans several times because, as he says, “The Spirit prevented me.” Can …
Feast of Sts. Philip and James One of my favorite verses in Scripture is spoken in today’s Gospel by St. Philip. He asks Jesus, “Show us the Father.” While Jesus …
Finding the Perfect Church How do you find the Church? Can you find the Church? Many Christians who say they believe in the Church and even claim to be members …
Memorial of Pope St. Pius V St. Pius V is probably best known for the leading the Church through the reforms following the Council of Trent. In 1570 he promulgated …
The Humility of Being a Sheep We tend to think of sheep as these adorable cuddly little fluff balls of cuteness. However, when you get right down to it, sheep …
To Teach, Sanctify, and Govern Today we celebrate what is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday” in reference to our Gospel reading. It is also the World Day of Prayer for …
How to Handle the Hard Stuff “This is a hard saying. Who can accept it?” This is the reaction of the disciples of Jesus to his teaching on the Eucharist. …
Happy Anniversary Pope Benedict Today marks the 5th anniversary of the election of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. On this day the Church throughout the world remembers him in …
St. Peter Shows Us the Beauty of Repentance In Jerusalem there is a church in honor of St. Peter called “St. Peter in Gallicantu.” It sits on the location …