As I reflected on the time I have been assigned to St Peter’s and Our Lady of grace, I couldn’t help but feel a little melancholy. Time goes by so quickly! It slips like water through our fingers. Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving; in just four more weeks we’ll be celebrating Christmas, then New Year’s […]
a political church
The Gospel last week presented us with the challenge to forgive, admonish, and reach out to those who have sinned against us. Today, the holy liturgy follows the theme on anger and resentment and the importance of forgiving injustice. The first reading says, “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.” […]
reasons to hope
Have you found reasons for your hope? Keeping a blog is expensive-your kind donations (one-time or monthly) help me keep it up and running!
make your own religion
you fool
We all know the story of king Solomon, whom God would give the wisdom that he asked for. Solomon had it all: riches, lands, gold, slaves, and fame, and yet he was a searching soul. In Ecclesiastes he tells us of his journey, and his quest for what brings true happiness. At first, Solomon thought […]
response-ability to love
Today’s readings cover a rich array of topics. We read about the early disciples of Christ in the Acts of the Apostles and their work to start and to continue the Kingdom of God. We hear about a new Heaven and a new Earth and of a New Jerusalem descending as a bride adorned […]
morality: commandments of god or conscience in your heart?
Whenever families gather, depending on their views, there can be certain unwritten rules that we prefer to follow, certain topics that we would rather not address. Sometimes it’s sports. Sometimes it’s politics. Most of the time religion is among them. …and yet these topics keep coming up. I was at a get together with friends […]
on waffles and denying communion
We are beginning the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. The Gospel of John is one that’s full of signs, meanings, symbolism, and high theology. But over the next several Sundays, the main theme is going to be how He sees Himself. If we want to learn how to relate to Jesus, we […]
on scandals, shepherds, pastors, and keeping the faith
The prophet Jeremiah lived an estimated 650 BC to 580 BC, around six centuries before Jesus, and his main ministry was in the capital of Judah, in Jerusalem. In Jeremiah’s time, there was political intrigue, backstabbing, plotting, and overthrowing. When he is speaking in the first reading, a good king has been overthrown in […]
spiritual illness – freedom in healing
We hear some very powerful words in the readings on the purpose of Man’s life. The first reading, from Book of Wisdom, says that, “God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him. But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who belong […]
to grow up fatherless :(
Jesus, being the great story teller that he is, relies on a variety of images to convey the novelty of His message. He talks, for example, of builders. He talks of fisherman. He talks of fish, of farmers, and today we hear another story: The parable of the sower. Seeds For those of you who’ve […]
dark powers – or, i am whoever i say i am
The first reading, from the the book of Genesis, tells of what follows immediately after Adam and Eve consume the forbidden fruit. We hear of Yahweh walking in the Garden, looking for Adam, calling out Where are you? With a hint of humor, we hear Adam hiding from Yahweh. His shame makes him reluctant to […]