May 23, 2025
Saint James, the son of Zebedee the fisherman, recited the prophet Amos and fostered the Church that Jesus had begun. The former scribes and pharisees, new Christians themselves, were again a problem for the early church, demanding that rabbinic laws be followed for the gentile catechumenate. But it was St. James that silenced the argument […]
May 22, 2025
The first reading introduces us to the dynamics of the Christian community with its new members drawn from the ranks of the Gentiles. The discomfort felt because these new members neglected certain Jewish rules and practices became the subject of dissension and had to be resolved. At the same time, the power of the Holy […]
May 21, 2025
Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower…. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” Jesus uses the imagery of a vine and branches to illustrate the vital connection between believers and himself, emphasizing that abiding in him […]
May 20, 2025
In the call of the 72 disciples in the Gospel of Saint Luke, Jesus urges them to say when they enter a house, “Peace to this house.” Today’s Gospel in Saint John harkens back to those words of Jesus at the Last Supper, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.” At […]
May 19, 2025
Want to read a good love story? Try today’s Gospel from John 14:21-26. The author is traditionally believed to be John the Apostle, the son of Zebedee. The message is truly an expression of God’s love for us, as Jesus described in his farewell to his disciples. They are told he is going away, but […]
May 18, 2025
5th Sunday of Easter Doctor Gary Chapman, a Baptist minister, authored a book in 1992 titled The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts. Dr. Chapman referenced five key elements that can differ for everyone: words of affirmation, quality of time, physical touch, acts of service, and receiving gifts. I know I fluctuate […]
May 17, 2025
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” But what if we don’t see the Father in someone or some event? How many of us have found ourselves in situations where we have witnessed lying, lack of hospitality, bad intentions in a person, or where someone has taken from us in […]
May 16, 2025
Jesus tells his disciples, and he tells us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me.” This reflection from John is often read at funerals and is fitting for us today as we still relish in the joy of Easter. On that Holy Night, just two weeks ago, […]
May 15, 2025
Through the teachings to his disciples, Gospel stories, and his life on earth, Jesus confirmed that he is the great I AM. He is the Savior of the world, sent to redeem and reconcile sinners to God. His earthly mission was, and continues to be, to give purpose and meaning to those who believe in […]
May 14, 2025
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle BONA FIDE In Margery Williams’ classic children’s story, The Velveteen Rabbit, the stuffed toy rabbit asks the metaphysical question, ‘What is real?’ and discovers that being loved makes the rabbit real. Now, an apostolic vacancy needs to be filled, and the disciples found themselves in such a situation in a […]