Reflections on the Sunday readings from the Catholic Lectionary for Mass. Includes homilies, sermons, and other thoughts.
I’m used to being asked questions about the faith. I like answering questions. But this last week, I got one that was totally unexpected. I was teaching a class for …
In the famous movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, King Arthur and his knights come to an ominous confrontation at the Bridge of Death. In order to cross, they …
The Israelites are so moved listening to the words of the Bible today that they actually cry. What happens when you read the Bible?
Football fans can be crazy. Yet this is the kind of enthusiasm God is asking of us, because he is crazy about us. He’s our biggest fan.
Few details are known about the mysterious magi who visit the Holy Family in Bethlehem, but today’s homily finds three spiritual keys.
On this 8th day after Christmas, we celebrate the day when Jesus is officially given him name by his foster father, Joseph.
Freddie Mercury might not be a theologian, but his famous question points to the meaning of family and even the essence God himself.
Are you bored with the Christian life? Maybe you don’t know the story. If you don’t know the faith well, then even Christmas is boring.
John the Baptist leaps for joy in his mother’s womb at the presence of God in the womb of Mary. May we all leap for joy to welcome Emmanuel.
If Jesus returned today, are you ready? If there are some things that you would change, well, maybe just go ahead and make those changes. In today’s gospel, people come …
Do you feel far from God? Is your relationship not quite right? This Advent, God offers a highway through the wilderness to come home.
On this last Sunday of the liturgical year, we often focus our attention on the end of time and the world to come. Without doubt, knowing where we are going …
In today’s reading from the prophet Daniel, we hear, Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an …
Earlier this summer, I reported about a false accusation that was made against me. Although I denied the allegation, I chose to voluntarily step away from ministry while this was …
The following homily was given to Boy Scouts gathered for Mass in the Chapel of the Twelve Apostles on the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in Osceola, Missouri. We don’t …
The following homily was given to Boy Scouts gathered for Mass in the Chapel of the Twelve Apostles on the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in Osceola, Missouri. Do you …
On this Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known by its Latin title, Corpus Christi, we celebrate and honor the incredible gift of the Eucharist. It …
On Memorial Day, we are called to remember the great cost of our freedom so as to appropriately value our country.
Laurel or Yanny? It turns out the answer is both/and. Appropriately for Pentecost, it’s the same phenomenon that makes the Church Catholic.
What is real? We often reduce reality to what is scientifically provable. The Ascension of Jesus shows us there is much more to reality.
In today’s gospel, Jesus talks about the greatest love in the world. Surprisingly, the word he uses to describe this love is “friend.”
Have you noticed fields filled with beautiful purple flowers now that it’s Spring? I recently learned the shocking truth about these flowers.
“A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” Really? Doesn’t it seem a little crazy that a a human being would die for mere animals?
Every gets hurt, but not everyone uses their power to heal. Jesus returns from the dead bringing peace and sends us to forgive others.
Mary Magdalene, Peter, John, they all have reasons for being present on the first Easter Sunday. What’s your story on this Easter Day?
The last words of Jesus, “It is consummated,” are often associated with marriage, and that’s what we we see when we look at the cross.
If you knew today was your last day, what would be most important? For Jesus, it was making sure that we knew he loved us.
Palm Sunday seems to go so quickly from “Hosana” to “Crucify him.” The days of Holy Week allow us to experience things a little more slowly.
Do you try to avoid suffering? Even Jesus desired to avoid it if possible, but sometimes salvation lies precisely in going through suffering.
God often takes what looks like defeat and bring an unexpected victory. The cross is the greatest example.
When asking “What would Jesus do?” remember that making a whip out of cords and beating people in church is among the possible answers.
Abraham trusted God, even to the point of not withholding his only son. Do you trust God? What are you withholding?