June 30, 2023
As individuals, communities, and nations, we struggle to believe and trust the goodness of others. Security cameras, gated communities, and anti-theft devices are part of our lives. It appears that we have a problem with trusting other members of our human family. We set up barriers—either physically or psychologically to protect ourselves. In today’s readings, […]
June 29, 2023
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul Today, we are celebrating the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul – the two great apostles who strengthened the faith of the early Church. We all know that Saint Peter and Saint Paul had flaws and differences. Peter was rash and impulsive – we can certainly remember his triple […]
June 28, 2023
How will we find salvation, except for the Lord? Is your Easter “Alleluia” still as strong as when it burst forth on Resurrection Day: “The Lord is risen, he is truly risen”? Fortified for the journey, hear scripture pointing the way. The book of Genesis tells the story of Abram and his lifelong struggle to […]
June 27, 2023
How many of us had our parents separate us from our siblings so we would not get into trouble with each other? “You take your toys and play in the basement while your sister plays in the living room!” Abram saw a better way of getting along with Lot and thus created new land opportunities […]
June 26, 2023
“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Pope Francis told reporters. (NY Times, 7/29/2013) “Who am I to judge?” Even today, almost ten years later, Pope Francis’ question silences the judgment calls about the morality of “deviant” sexual behavior. Preaching today’s Gospel in […]
June 25, 2023
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Several years ago, I was alone with my golden retriever, Hazel. At about 3:00 am, a loud noise awakened me. Hazel let out a bark and growl that I had never heard before. My heart was pounding and racing. After several minutes, I got out of bed and braved inspecting […]
June 24, 2023
Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist While reading today’s first reading, I could hear the excitement in the family’s voices as they discussed the child to be born, John the Baptist. And as I read the responsorial psalm, my excitement grew to read how God knows when we sit and when we stand. […]
June 23, 2023
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be. In my former life, I presented a workshop entitled “Work, Family, Faith: Finding Balance.” I would begin with a simple exercise: “In the course of a typical week, where do you spend your time?” I’d ask the participants to be very specific on the worksheet I […]
June 22, 2023
Something about a religious store that offers eye candy – physical and spiritual. From garden statues to beads of every color and kind, necklaces and books to fill a small library, grace the wall and scented candles waft the air with spiritual aromas. Spirituality has a cost. For anyone unaffiliated, this would seem curious to […]
June 21, 2023
“Each one should give as much as he decided, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” I served as development director at a small women’s college for the last thirteen years of my full-time ministry. Like God, I loved a cheerful giver. Early on, I learned that it was not slick […]