Deep in each of us there exists a concept, a personal image of what Jesus looks like. That image was created by a lot of things. It comes from what we have heard, what others have modeled what people have…
Shaped by Fire
Me? An evangelist?
Did you know that when you were baptized, you were anointed to be an evangelist? Yes, you and I, and every Christian are meant to bring others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How do we do that? There…
When to Not Imitate Jesus
As disciples of Jesus, we seek to follow Jesus–to be like him as much as possible while on earth. This conformity to Christ is a foretaste of future glory, when, as John writes, “we shall be like him, for we…
A Gospel to Make you Squirm
Readings for Sunday, September 4, 2016 the 23rd Sunday, Year C When I was a kid, I got the distinct impression there existed a two-track system in Catholicism. Some really decided to go for it. They became priests, nuns, and…
Which Is Better: Perfection or Mercy?
In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees challenge Jesus because he has allowed his disciples to pick grain from the fields as they pass through. The investigator in me really wants to know where they were going on the Sabbath, and what…
How to Have a Servant’s Heart
In the Gospel of John, Jesus showed us what a servant’s heart looks like when he washed the feet of the apostles. Parishes often reenact this event on Holy Thursday. Pitchers of water are poured over feet and then dried with…
Reverend William Henry Anderdon, Modern Evangelist
A man is not a saint because many years after his death he was proclaimed so. And a man is not an evangelist by having traveled much as he preached. The man of today’s essay may not be proclaimed a…
What Prayer Does Not Dare Ask
A few Sundays ago, the opening prayer (known as the collect) really hit me between the eyes. Ever have that experience? It was as if the words of the prayer seemed louder and clearer than normal. They stopped me in…
Why Humility Opens Doors
Readings for Sunday, August 28, 2016 the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C “Nice guys finish last,” says the world. “The last will be first,” replies Jesus. My guess is that the Lord of creation knows best who really…
Catholic Social Teaching Principles in the Workplace
Many organizations in Western culture subscribe to a secular philosophy when conducting business as it relates to their labor management policies and practices. I believe that Catholic Social Teaching Principles (CSTP) can be successfully introduced into organizations, but it would…