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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
when god abandons to suffering
why, why, why? If I asked if you have had a personal encounter with suffering and pain, you would most likely say that you have. If I asked if you have experienced the emotional pain of losing a loved one through a tragedy or through natural passing away—or perhaps a personal loss like divorce, career […]
On calling people dogs, and the silence of god
Did God create the world in seven literal days? The Church warns us against taking an exclusive, too literal interpretation of Scripture. Could God have created the world in seven literal days if there was no sun around which to rotate? Those seven days could very well signify times, seasons, perhaps even seasons of evolution. […]
Why are YOU a Christian?
A couple of years ago, when I was still in seminary, we were assigned to parishes over the summer. Â I got assigned to a medium sized parish with a couple of resident priests. I befriended a Jesuit priest. Every night after having dinner, we would enjoy a glass of wine and talk about theology, the […]
darkness, stench, and bondage
the amulet of faith
A couple of weeks ago the youth of the Parish and I were reflecting on our human condition, and how divided our fallen human nature is. We talked about how sometimes we know exactly what the right thing to do is, but somehow end up doing quite the opposite. It is in these moments that […]
the ultimate user’s manual
For the last few Sundays we’ve been hearing the Sermon on the Mount.  It starts in a very encouraging way, especially for the oppressed and the suffering: Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the hungry, blessed are the thirsty… Then last week we heard an even more encouraging message when Jesus says to […]
i don’t believe in priests
Some weeks ago I paid a visit to the Car Wash. They received my car, gave me a ticket, and invited me to sit down in a small waiting room area. I found a seat in the waiting room, which was empty apart from a man and a woman sitting together; I pulled out my […]