May 10, 2024

Have you ever felt so deeply about something that you were afraid — perhaps like Saint Paul — to speak about it or reveal the deep feelings underneath the values, beliefs, or ideas you espoused? A fear of criticism, rolling eyes, tsk-ing, or some personal attack keeps you silent. Or that paralyzing comment from a […]

May 9, 2024

Enter a World of Possibilities Step right up—right this way to behold the most wonderous things. Surely, the carnival barker might entice us to step in and see a magician disappear and reappear right before our eyes. We are tricked and left amazed, wondering how the disappearing/reappearing act works, and maybe have some frustration in […]

May 8, 2024

If you have visited Athens, you may have been struck with awe and wonder like me, by the massive century-old structures that withstood the test of time. While standing next to the ancient columns and listening closely, the conversations of Paul’s time could be heard in my mind. If I closed my eyes, I could […]

May 7, 2024

How do we believe in something we cannot see? Why do we have the faith to know, believe, and trust in Christ and are saved, and others don’t yet get it or see it? Easter Time assists us with the feeling, the belief, and the reality that Christ died to save us and, through his […]

May 6, 2024

In today’s reading, Jesus speaks of sending the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. In my mind’s eye, I picture a strong wind, whispers, a dove, and a burning flame that attracts and unifies us into one heart. Light is extremely attractive. As humans, we are naturally attracted to fire, to the light. When I think of […]

May 5, 2024

6th Sunday of Easter It is hardly surprising that the great theme of the gospel of John, which many scholars consider to be the work of the Beloved Disciple, is the theme of love! One of the most known and quoted texts in the Scriptures is John 3.16, “For God so loved the world that […]

May 4, 2024

“They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia.” I wonder what this looked like. Did an angel appear and block their way? Or was there some natural event or disaster? Perhaps Paul had an insight, a movement […]

May 3, 2024

Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles Philip said to [Jesus], “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?” Today, Jesus tells his disciples that they will also know […]

May 2, 2024

In Acts of the Apostles Chapter 15, Peter spoke to his fellow apostles in defense of us, Gentiles, to let it be known that we, too, have been called by God. By our baptism, we are also given the Holy Spirit, the spirit of adoption as children of the Most High. We are sinners, not […]

May 1, 2024

Whenever I read this passage on the Council of Jerusalem, I am reminded that the Church must respond to emerging realities under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The possibility of Gentiles entering the community without “becoming Jewish” (following the law of Moses) was unthinkable to Jews who were then followers of the Way. Paul […]