32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Nov. 10 (2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 7, 9-14; Psalm 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38)

Suffering, persecution and chaotic situations often give birth to new theological insights. The afterlife was not part of the belief system of Israel for the greater part of its early history. If one were faithful to the commandments and law of God blessings would follow in this life. After death a person lived on through their descendants and the memory of the community. Fidelity to the covenant led to prosperity, happiness and long life.

“Home is where we start from.” T.S. Eliot wrote that and it describes an experience that can be felt both as a freedom and a heartache. I cite my own case:

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will create his first cardinals during a consistory Feb. 22, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter.

VATICAN CITY - Trials and doubts are part of everyone's faith journey, "even mine," Pope Francis said, but Christians know they can get through the hard times with help from God, other Christians and those in heaven.

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 29 (Sirach 35:15-17, 20-2; Psalm 34; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14)

Life is not fair and the world is not a just place — or so it appears. We can think of countless cases of people appearing to slither, bob and weave through the justice system by means of sharp lawyers and legal contortions. Money and power is often the leverage that tips the scales in their favour. Often religious language is the icing on this disheartening cake. Small wonder that cynicism and disillusionment have taken up residence in so many hearts and minds.

VATICAN CITY - Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who as Vatican secretary of state drew rising criticism for failures of the Vatican bureaucracy he oversaw, stepped down Oct. 15 with a speech praising the pontificate of retired Pope Benedict XVI and stressing its continuity with that of Pope Francis.

Catholics may be getting used to a Pope who says the unexpected. “Who am I to judge?” “The court is the leprosy of the papacy.” “Proselytism is solemn nonsense.” “How I would like a Church that is poor and for the poor.”

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of seven men and women, including a Canadian and an English founder of two religious orders for women.

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Oct. 20 (Exodus 17:8-13; Psalm 121; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke 18:1-8)

Moses had a formidable secret weapon at his disposal, one that generals throughout the centuries would have loved to have as their own. In this case, it was the staff of God held aloft in his hands. As long as his hands were held aloft, Israel prevailed against the Amalekites; when his hands become weary and drooped a bit, they began to lose. His assistants had a solution: they propped his arms up so the Israelites were able to emerge victorious from the battle.

Karl Rogers once suggested that what’s most private within us is also most universal. His belief was that many of the private feelings that we would be ashamed to admit in public are, ironically, the very feelings which, if expressed, would resonate most deeply inside the experience of others.