January 20, 2024
Why do you want to do this? Do you know what it entails? Are you crazy? I got these questions from clergy members when I first entertained the idea of the permanent diaconate. He’s crazy; his train jumped the tracks, and the wheels fell off his wagon—phrases used to describe people’s thoughts on my pursuing […]
January 19, 2024
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles…. Today’s passage gives us the first listing of the Twelve that Jesus chose with a special responsibility to carry on his message. He summoned “those whom he wanted.” They were “to be with him” as disciples and friends, then “to be sent out to proclaim the message.” […]
January 18, 2024
In the Gospel reading for today, we learn about Jesus withdrawing from a pressing crowd – a crowd growing in numbers and merging in several different directions. He had cured many diseases and unclean spirits, and his popularity grew. However, with that popularity came expectations and demands from the many who sought him only for […]
January 17, 2024
There are a few passages in the Gospels describing Jesus as angry. Today’s passage from Mark is one of them. Jesus knew that the Pharisees were out to get him. Theirs was a strict observance of the Law with all its minutiae governing every aspect of the life of a Jew. The scene is set […]
January 16, 2024
We see in the gospel reading how the will of God also trumps man’s law. When Jesus’ disciples were going through the field picking the heads of the grain, the Pharisees questioned Jesus why he did not stop them from doing what was—according to their interpretation—unlawful. Jesus reminded the Pharisees of the story of David, […]
January 15, 2024
Old and New Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions, determined to replace a habit, or begin a new practice? The second reading today tells us about changes that affected old and new ways or reasons for doing things. The old habit of fasting, once a ceremonial law, would have a new purpose in the […]
January 14, 2024
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time During these past years, our ability to communicate with one another has been transformed in ways we could not have imagined years ago. Cell phones put us in contact with one another wherever we are. Caller ID and call waiting assure us we will not miss anyone’s call. We live […]
January 13, 2024
“Follow me.” These are the two simple yet powerful words Jesus spoke to Levi. The Gospel does not indicate that Levi asked him any questions. Where was Jesus leading him? Where was Jesus going? What would Levi be required to do? He knew Jesus was the Lord, and he trusted him. The Gospel tells us […]
January 12, 2024
Today, we read another remarkable story of faith in the Gospel of Saint Matthew. Undaunted by the crowd, some friends of a paralytic carried him on a stretcher and somehow managed to open up the roof so they could lower him for Jesus to see and heal. For Jesus “saw their faith.” Recall that well-known […]
January 11, 2024
Help is On the Way Tough times require a strong appeal for help. We know of those difficult times and pray profoundly, with vigor, humbly, and penitent. But pray we must. The psalmist cries out a lament to God, who seems to have disappeared, taking no part in their anguish, and the psalmist asks why […]