I’ve always found today’s Gospel reading difficult to understand. It feels as though Jesus was light years ahead of John’s disciples, and even his own for that matter. Then a thoughtful soul explained that, no, you really can’t fast in…
Making The Old New Again
Does Your Parish Have a Life?
I grew up in a large parish that had an elementary school. Most of my family’s social life revolved around parish and school events – Spaghetti Dinners, Summer Socials, Christmas plays and so on. Gatherings that took place off the…
Swept up by the Spirit
Swept Up in the Spirit: Journey of Transformation by Gary Garner is as mysterious as it is thrilling. In this testimony of conversion, he writes, “I have lived two vastly different lives—one spent exalting materialism and filled with spiritual darkness,…
Seek a Future of Hope (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
“When you look for me, you will find me.” –Jer 29:13 Through the prophet Jeremiah, God says to His people, “I know well the plans I have in mind for you.” Now if you’re like most of us, and have…
Immigration and the Catholic Church
There has been a lot of talk in the news and online about immigration to the United States, particularly illegal immigration along the southern border. Images of detention facilities from the previous and current presidential administrations have stirred up passions…
Fulfilled
“Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5: 17). Webster’s definition of Fulfill: (1) to carry out (a promise) (2) to do a duty;…
Being a Mature Christian
Usually we think of professionalism as a good thing. But when it comes to the Christian faith, there is a sort of professionalism that is not so good. That is clericalism, the notion that full Christianity is only for the…
The Journey Matters (Psalm 37:5)
“Commit your way to the Lord” –Ps 37:5 Commitment is hard. From taking the first step in a new resolution, to sticking it out when distractions arise, to continuing your commitment when it becomes boring or repetitive—commitment can test our…
God of the Old Testament, God of the New Testament
A common attack that believers receive from antagonistic atheists is one that involves the Old Testament. The challenger will often quote some law from Leviticus or Deuteronomy like not touching women during menstruation (Leviticus 15:19). Or they will point out…
There is a Third Way
A while back, I had an exchange with a disheartened young man. He said that he keeps encountering 5 types: “(o)ld, rambling and cynical men; bored, cliquey housewives; clueless and hard-headed men; disinterested and troubled women; and unhelpful, indifferent men…