October 29, 2025
Church or Club. Maybe there’s an interest in joining the Elks Club or the Moose Club, the Rowing Club, or the Country Club. Regardless, any special interest group will want to screen potential members through a process, such as requiring them to fill out an application. Some groups require a sponsor, and there is a […]
October 28, 2025
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles Today we rejoice again for the glory of God is manifested in his martyrs: the holy apostles Simon and Jude. We celebrate a faith witnessed throughout the world, from east to west. I make my reflection here in New York on 9/11, a day that some people misunderstood […]
October 27, 2025
In reflecting on the miraculous healing of the woman who had spent 18 years unable to stand up straight, we realize that she probably had been worshiping the Lord on the sabbath every week for many years. But she probably didn’t go to synagogue “specifically asking for healing; she just showed up.” As the commentary […]
October 26, 2025
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds. We are presented with three prayers today. O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous…. O […]
October 25, 2025
Have you repented of your sins lately? In today’s Gospel reading in Luke, Jesus says, “…if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did.” He states this twice in this passage. In Matthew 4:17, Jesus starts his ministry with the words “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” I had […]
October 24, 2025
Optional Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is at the heart of today’s readings. In the Gospel (Luke 12:54–59), Jesus reminds us that we possess minds capable of interpreting signs and discerning outcomes. This ability to judge right from wrong is a gift given […]
October 23, 2025
How do you define slavery and freedom? How does this compare with the dictionary? Social media? How does it compare with Saint Paul? We generally understand slavery to mean that one is prevented from following one’s natural inclinations, whether good or bad. For Jesus and Saint Paul, slavery meant that we are controlled by our […]
October 22, 2025
Saint Paul did not do cold calls. You know the type: someone shows up at your door, unexpected and unannounced — politicians running for office, Mormon missionaries, or a cookie salesperson. In this age of universal cell phones, we suffer a glut of cold calls/robocalls. On his three missionary journeys, the Apostle to the Gentiles […]
October 21, 2025
As I listen to the young people in my life, the 40 and 50-somethings, I frequently hear an interesting expression: “ya gotta show up!” Or “I hope they show up!” Or “just show up!” These include teachers, consultants, trainers, CEOs, and church ministers. When asked what they mean, I’m told: “I just want them to […]
October 20, 2025
Abraham did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief; rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God and was fully convinced that what God had promised he was able to do. (Roman 4:20) Jesus gives the Lord’s Prayer in a specific place when his disciples ask him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just […]