When Jorge Bergoglio was elected to the papacy, I wrote about his choice of name “Francis.” As a Jesuit I wondered if he meant Francis Xavier. But it turns out that he made took on the name in honor of…
St. Francis of Assisi and Pope Francis
The Messianic Secret
Readings for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus asks a simple question. “Who do the crowds say that I am?” (Luke 9:18) All volunteer an answer, because describing other people’s opinions requires no personal commitment whatsoever. But then Jesus…
Why call God “Father?”
This June not only the USA but at least 55 other countries around the world will honor the roles fathers play in the family and the community. This modern secular holiday invites us to ask a very important question –…
Visibly Anonymous
My Fabulous Wife and I went out to dinner for Mother’s Day at our neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Our adult kids are living in other cities, or were at work in this one, so it was just the two of us…
The Table
If you are a practicing Catholic you have most likely heard some form of this running joke: “That priest is talking too long, I need to get to the donuts.” Most every parish these days has a coffee hour where…
Catholics CAN learn from Scientific Faith
Last August (2015) an article was written in the Washington Post about the discovery of vessels which connect the brain to our immune system. I recently read about this discovery two months ago on one of my feeds and it…
Even Pharisees Aren’t So Bad
How many of of us have a positive impression of Pharisees? Probably not too many. For most Bible readers, the Pharisees stand out, memorably as the best known opposition to Jesus and his followers. However, this Sunday’s Gospel reading for the…
Faith vs. Works? Paul, the Pharisee, and the Alabaster Jar
Sunday Readings for June 12, 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Protestants say we’re justified by faith. Some Catholics say we’re saved by good works. But what does the Bible say? The Bible – it’s neither. And it’s both. At the…
Be a Sheep!
Don’t be a sheep! I am not a sheep! I think for myself! You’re all just a bunch of sheep! We see it on signs and bumper stickers. We hear it and read it. We’re told by the world not…
The Good Father
One of Jesus’ most famous stories is of a father and two sons. The story is known as the story of the “Prodigal Son”, but it is more truly about the “Good Father”. In the story, the younger son asks…