One of the most consistent characteristics of our towns and cities is their identification with and loyalty to sport. Sometimes the sport is different but the passion seems to be the same. Fans can almost become rabid for their basketball,…
Running the Race
Advent as Evangelization
Many of us may look with disdain at the over commercialization of Christmas, at the way in which the true meaning of the season has been pushed aside or almost forgotten. As I drive to and from work each day…
Feast of Christ the King
Readings for November 24, 2013: Feast of Christ the King From the dawn of civilization, kings have arisen who have dreamed of possessing a world-wide dominion, a universal kingdom that would last forever. Some have come close to conquering much…
Lyrics of Life
It seems to me that many of us are listening to the music but no one is paying attention to the lyrics. Recently, I was driving on one of my road trips and a great tune came on the radio….
Losing the Mission
The word “mass” comes from the same route as “mission”. At each Mass, we are sent forthwith a mission. What is that mission? What is our primary mission as Catholics? The words I remember concluding most Masses in my life were “go forth,…
Do As I Do
There has to be a top ten list of the dumbest things parents can say to their kids. I don’t want to Google it, because I am certain it will only prove that I have uttered each phase numerous times….
What About Those Apparitions?
Trudging along two miles of country road in Kettle River, Minnesota, I shifted the back carrier that held my three-year-old son. I was joined by 3,500 other pilgrims who had congregated to see if the Virgin Mary would appear as…
Hear the Whispering this Advent
After the earthquake there was a fire—but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. (1 Kings 19:21) It seems as the years continue their steady progression that retailers move the Christmas…
Apocalypse Now!
Readings for November 17, 2013: Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Whenever I lead a trip to the Holy Land, the question inevitably comes, “Will we visit Armageddon?’ This refers, of course, to the battlefield surrounding the ancient city of Megiddo…
Thank You, God!
“Now thank we all our God, with hearts, and hands, and voices.” As a child I sang these words with a full heart. But things change. I don’t recall at which moment I forgot to thank God, but I’ll bet…