May 7, 2026
I love to read about the early workings of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles! In our first reading today, the Church is addressing whether and how the Law of Moses should apply to Gentile converts, as well as the increasing diversity of the early Christian community. The decision of the Church is […]
May 6, 2026
“Every branch that bears no fruit he cuts away, and any branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more.” For those of us who are serious gardeners, this pruning process is an all-too-familiar regular task. I have several old rose bushes in my backyard that need yearly attention. Some of […]
May 5, 2026
Paul of Tarsus has been called the Apostle of the Gentiles, and for good reason. After his conversion on the road to Damascus from Saul, the hardline Jew, to peripatetic Paul, the Christian missionary, he traveled thousands of miles by land and sea to spread the Good News throughout large parts of Western Asia and […]
May 4, 2026
Anyone who loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make a home in him. In today’s gospel, Jesus reveals an intimate and universal Eucharistic mystery: God desires to dwell within us. This is not a distant relationship, but a real communion fulfilled in […]
May 3, 2026
5th Sunday of Easter The opening line for today’s Gospel has Jesus addressing all of the disciples. In my imagination, I can see Peter pushing Thomas and Philip forward to ask the questions he is perhaps a bit timid (out of character for him) to ask himself. In any event, Jesus takes the initiative and […]
May 2, 2026
“When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.” Acts (13:45) In this intense scene, we can see two opposing movements of the soul. When the spirit of jealousy generated “violent abuse,” we hear that Paul and Barnabas “spoke boldly” in response. They had already […]
May 1, 2026
Jesus said to him (Thomas), “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We are at the climax of Jesus’ life. Though the disciples may not have realized it, this was the last meal they would have with Jesus before he was put to […]
April 30, 2026
We have celebrated Easter, the resurrection of Jesus, and now we are hearing and reflecting on a tender gospel reading that talks about humility and service for others that took place on Holy Thursday. It is a familiar story of Jesus washing the apostles’ feet at the Last Supper. This is our savior, Jesus Christ, […]
April 29, 2026
We are custodians of a great mystery of love, mercy, and compassion. We carry the Eucharist with us, and we become eucharist for the world. No one understands better this spiritual dimension of the eucharist than those who have truly experienced its transforming power. Being the “living tabernacles of God’s love” is nothing other than […]
April 28, 2026
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and I give them eternal life… John 10:27-28 As we celebrate Good Shepherd Week, we see how the sheep were scattered in the Book of Acts. Stephen was killed, and many fled for their dear lives. Christ remains the Good Shepherd. He knows his sheep. He […]