God’s compassionate, non-violent reign
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 1 (1 Kings 19:16, 19-21; Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62)
Freedom is very precious, but it is often taken for granted and is not fully appreciated until it is lost.
Freedom is very precious, but it is often taken for granted and is not fully appreciated until it is lost.
John the Baptist was singled out for greatness
The Birth of John the Baptist (Year C) June 24 (Isaiah 49:1-6/Acts 13:22-26/Luke 1:57-66, 80)
What will this child become? That question probably crosses the minds of many as they gaze into the faces of infants.
What will this child become? That question probably crosses the minds of many as they gaze into the faces of infants.
Who are we to question God’s ways?
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) June 17 (2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13, Galatians 2:16, 19-21, Luke 7:36-8:3 or 7:36-50)
Moral outrage and indignation can be very satisfying, but can also be a cover for our own darkness. David discovered this to his immense chagrin.
Moral outrage and indignation can be very satisfying, but can also be a cover for our own darkness. David discovered this to his immense chagrin.
The Body and Blood are never just for us
The Body and Blood of Christ (Year C) — June 10 (Genesis 14:18-20/1 Corinthians 11:23-26/Luke 9:11b-17)
How often we wish that certain passages in the Scriptures would say a bit (a lot!) more than they do. Who was Melchizedek? Obviously he was someone very important in spiritual terms, for he gives his name to an eternal priesthood fulfilled by Jesus. But in comparison to Abraham, Moses, David and others, he does not get much press. And he uses a different title for God — “El Elyon” — the Most High God rather than the usual Elohim or Yahweh.
How often we wish that certain passages in the Scriptures would say a bit (a lot!) more than they do. Who was Melchizedek? Obviously he was someone very important in spiritual terms, for he gives his name to an eternal priesthood fulfilled by Jesus. But in comparison to Abraham, Moses, David and others, he does not get much press. And he uses a different title for God — “El Elyon” — the Most High God rather than the usual Elohim or Yahweh.
The Spirit makes us aware of the truth
Trinity Sunday (Year C) June 3, (Proverbs 8:22-31/Romans 5:1-5/John 16:12-15)
Explaining the Trinity is a delicate undertaking. Utmost care and precision in wording must be taken to stay on the right track. The slightest fuzziness or carelessness can result in a statement that is not completely orthodox.
Explaining the Trinity is a delicate undertaking. Utmost care and precision in wording must be taken to stay on the right track. The slightest fuzziness or carelessness can result in a statement that is not completely orthodox.
There’s nothing ordinary about the Trinity
“I would die without the Trinity,” my friend Fr. Peter said once. How many of us would echo Fr. Peter? Does the Trinity make much difference to our lives or our faith? Yet it’s one of our key doctrines, distinguishing Christianity from all world religions.
The Spirit binds people to the Lord and to each other
Pentecost Sunday (Year C) May 27 (Acts 2:1-11/1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13/Jn 20:19-23 or Jn 14:15-16, 23b-26)
Pentecost was not only the birth of the church, but the rebirth of humanity.
Pentecost was not only the birth of the church, but the rebirth of humanity.
We do not know the way in which God’s grace operates
Seventh Sunday of Easter May 20 (Acts 7:55-60, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20/John 17:20-26)
It is all too easy to pass judgment on the people found in New Testament crowds. Why can they not believe? Why do they react so negatively and violently to the proclamation of the apostles?
It is all too easy to pass judgment on the people found in New Testament crowds. Why can they not believe? Why do they react so negatively and violently to the proclamation of the apostles?
Love is the only path we can have to God
Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year C) May 13 (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29/Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23/John 14:23-29)
They decided not to impose any burden greater than was absolutely necessary. It seems to be a case of obvious common sense, and yet so often common sense is not common at all — it’s in rather short supply.
Meet adversity with dignity, courage, hope
Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year C) May 6 (Acts 14:21-27/Revelation 21:1-5a/Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35)
Paul is a hard man to keep down. He has just endured being stoned and left for dead, but he merely got up, dusted himself off and continued his journey and mission. He doesn’t seem disillusioned or discouraged — in fact, he spends time encouraging others in the faith.
Paul is a hard man to keep down. He has just endured being stoned and left for dead, but he merely got up, dusted himself off and continued his journey and mission. He doesn’t seem disillusioned or discouraged — in fact, he spends time encouraging others in the faith.
Lighting the fire of our faith
The church was in darkness when I came in, the Easter vigil just beginning. The paschal candle was lit. Its fire was passed around the church, until many tiny candles together became a mass of light.