July 4, 2023
Independence Day (USA) As we hear in our first reading with the angel urging Lot onward, we cannot help but think of the early settlers of this great country who trusted in God, and the angels led them through the many journeys to this sacred land. We have a complicated history of “discovery,” but we […]
July 3, 2023
Our first reading today tells us that we are no longer strangers or foreigners walking through a wilderness, searching for our permanent home. We are a community and members of the household of God! Our home is built on Jesus as the cornerstone and the capstone. In other words, the entire weight of our home […]
July 2, 2023
13th Sunday of Ordinary Time In the first reading, a woman in the village of Schunem shows great hospitality to the prophet Elisha, even to the point of building and furnishing a little room for him on the roof of her house whenever he visits. She is childless, so Elisha promises she will soon fondle […]
July 1, 2023
When I think of my grandma, I often picture her sitting on the front porch. Her house did not have central air conditioning; even with open windows, it would sometimes be uncomfortably hot inside. Looking for a breeze, we often found her sitting at the entrance of her house… like Abraham in today’s first reading. […]
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 […]