He is always with us

Second Sunday of Easter (Year C) April 15 (Acts 5:12-16; Psalm 118; Revelation 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31)

Many in the crowd were thrilled at what they saw happening in the midst, but still they hung back. Some were afraid of persecution if they joined this strange band of miracle workers, others perhaps did not want to be let down or disappointed.

Jesus’ message never wears out

Easter Sunday (Year C) April 8 (Acts 10:34, 36-43; Psalm 118; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18)

Peace — power — forgiveness — the words are simple enough, but what do they mean? They can mean many different things, depending on the one using the word and the context. Here they are used in an extraordinary way, for they relate to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Go to the emptiness to be raised up

Did He, or didn’t He? What difference does it make? During Lent, we’re being prepared for the question that will be put to us next: Did He, or didn’t He, rise from the dead? 

Jesus responds with radical, self-giving love

Passion Sunday (Year C) April 1 (Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56)

Passion Sunday cannot be celebrated in isolation from the reality of our contemporary world. Part of this reality is violence and injustice in one form or another, nearly always answered in kind.

We author our own misfortune

3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C) March 11 (Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15/1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12/Lk 13:1-9)

Many traditions insist that to name and define God is a form of betrayal, for whatever can be named and defined cannot be God. But that doesn’t stop us from trying our best to have a name and a face for God. Not only is it more personal, it also gives us (we think) a greater sense of possession and control.

God expects us to work

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year C), March 18 (Jos 5:9a, 10-12/2 Cor 5:17-21, Lk 15:1-3, 11-32)

The manna from heaven and the fruit of the Promised Land are both testimonies to God’s loving kindness and provident care. But they also testify to something else: human doubt and unbelief.

We author our own misfortune

3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C) March 11 (Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15/1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12/Lk 13:1-9)

Many traditions insist that to name and define God is a form of betrayal, for whatever can be named and defined cannot be God. But that doesn’t stop us from trying our best to have a name and a face for God. Not only is it more personal, it also gives us (we think) a greater sense of possession and control.

What is truth?

Myra was suffering profoundly. Some people blame themselves when life gets tough, taking everything inside. Some, like Myra, take everything outside, blaming everybody but themselves.

Real faith is trusting in God no matter what

Second Sunday of Lent (Year C) March 4 (Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28b-36)

The people of the ancient world took their covenants, contracts and promises very seriously. No need for dense legal language, for the agreement was sealed in blood, carcasses and curses. At the end of this account of God’s covenant with Abraham, he is promised land — very specific land, where other people are already dwelling — and he is promised this land in perpetuity. 

God will not forget those who are faithful

Many are accustomed to think of the New Testament as being theologically disengaged from the Old Testament, but nothing could be further from the truth.

We all share the same limitations

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), Feb. 18 (1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-25; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 15:45-50; Luke 6:27-38)

Most of us love to see the movie villain get his or her comeuppance. There is a palpable sense of glee and satisfaction in the audience, sometimes even erupting into applause. Be honest: how many of us have fantasized about having our own enemy — whoever it might be — right where we want them? I think that is probably a common experience.