Reflections on the Sunday readings from the Catholic Lectionary for Mass. Includes homilies, sermons, and other thoughts.
“Be holy!” …well that sounds hard. “You’re a temple!” …that just sounds silly. “Be perfect!” …that sounds impossible. Yet God tells us all three of these things this weekend. It’s …
We often water down the law of God today. Sure, there are the commandments, but no one really keeps all the commandments, do they? God is so merciful today (unlike …
“Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them…” These words from the first reading should sound familiar. They are …
The following homily was given in the historical town of Emaus at the end of eleven days of pilgrimage through the Holy Land When Jesus was presented in the Temple …
The following homily was given in the church of Dominus Flevit on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, also near the church of St. Mary Magdalene. This location on the …
This homily was given in Bethlehem in the Latin church of St. Catherine adjoining the Church of the Nativity, the site of the birth of Jesus. On the plane ride …
Today we begin seven consecutive weeks of reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. Today’s second reading is just the opening verse of the letter. We …
Peace be with you! Or, as we would say in Latin, Pax vobiscum! Pax is the Latin word for peace. On this Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, the …
On this 8th day after Christmas, the “Octave” of Christmas, we commemorate the day when Jesus would have been circumcised according to the Jewish law and given his name. This …
I love looking at the manger scenes on Christmas. It all seems so peaceful and happy. Yet, I fear that this one image, frozen in time in the Christmas creche, …
“Marley was dead: to being with… There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going …
The Scriptures don’t record any word spoken by St. Joseph. But if we understand the gospel like a Jew, they tell us what we need to know.
Are you going through a dark time? This 3rd Sunday of Advent gives us the example of a rose candle to inspire us to keep going.
No one likes road construction. But we don’t like potholes either. Today, John the Baptist urges us to fix up our spiritual road.
Today we begin the season of Advent, the time of preparation for Christmas. Today’s readings give three essential things on which to focus.
This is the last Sunday of the year… but next week is the first. It’s the end, but also the beginning. The last Sunday of Ordinary Time each year is …
This week’s homily was given to the archdiocesan permanent diaconate aspirants and their families during their weekend of formation. Marriage and the end of the world… the classic combination. While …
When there is a job to be done, sometimes we ask for volunteers. “We need an usher… can anybody help?” What usually happens is the same people who volunteer for …
Today’s gospel parable seems like a classic case of the the “good guy” vs. “the bad guy.” Jesus definitely seems to set it up with the Pharisee as an example …
In the middle of the 17th century, the first Jesuits came to what is today the United States and Canada. This weekend marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of 8 …
“How long, O Lord?” This short cry of exasperation is one that is not only well known in Scripture, but well known in every day life as well. When the …
In today’s second reading, St. Paul is writing to St. Timothy, who he has left as bishop in charge of one of his new churches. Not unlike our own times, …
Our readings today call attention to several issues of false business practices. In short, we’re dealing with a bunch of greedy cheaters. In the first reading, the prophet Amos is …
“Why do bad things happen to good people?” Whenever there is some tragedy we often find ourselves questioning God, wondering “Where was God?” Where was God in the midst of …
The Washington Monument is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. At 555 feet in height, it was the tallest structure in the world until the construction of …
Today’s Gospel describes the social intricacies of who gets invited to the best parties and where certain people have a seat at the table. It all seem so contrived. Everyone …
When it gets to be over 100 degrees in Kansas in the summer, I like to go Alaska. For most of the last eight years I’ve volunteered to serve as …
Paul Harvey was a famous reporter and political commentator who is perhaps best known for his weekly segment entitled, “The Rest of the Story.” In these short clips, Harvey would …
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” So the psalmist urges us in today’s Mass. Changing our hearts is important, but did you ever stop to think …
Sometimes people will confess that they “didn’t get their prayers in” on certain occasions. When you think of “saying your prayers,” what come to mind? How to you pray? Probably …