The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6 Acts 13:22-26 Luke 1:57-66, 80 Reflection: Today the Church celebrates the Nativity of John the Baptist. Normally this would be celebrated on the 24th, but that conflicts with the celebration…
Scripture: 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3 Matthew 7:15-20 Reflection: And He sent them out in pairs telling them to take nothing with them – no money, no extra cloak, even their walking sticks were to be left behind. Lord, I can…
Scripture: 2 Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36Matthew 7:6, 12-14 Reflection: “Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine” Have you ever wondered what this passage is about? In the ancient world pearls were…
Scripture: 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18Matthew 7:1-5 Reflection: At times when I get frustrated with politics and politicians, I find myself daydreaming about testifying to Congress and giving them a good scolding about what I perceive that they are doing…
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Scripture: Genesis 14:18-201 Corinthians 11:23-26 Luke 9:11b-17 Reflection: This Sunday in the Church calendar is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, when we reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and the…
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 24:17-25Matthew 6:24-34 Reflection: “You cannot serve God and mammon.” These words of Jesus – if taken out of the wider context of today’s gospel text – have puzzled Christians throughout the ages and led to many creative…
Scripture: 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 Matthew 6:19-23 Reflection: Is it foolish to believe that goodness ultimately triumphs? That evil will not prevail? It is hard to avoid these questions when considering the bloody spectacle recounted in today’s first reading.…
Scripture: Sirach 48:1-14Matthew 6:7-15 Reflection: “This is how you are to pray” Matthew 6:9 As a Passionist priest, I have given many a retreat conference on prayer, as well as some workshops on how to pray. There have also been…
Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-16Matthew 5:38-42 Reflection: It is hard to figure out what to make from our Scriptures today. I recently read in a biblical commentary about the Hebrew myth or tradition, they believe that the Word of God remains…
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Scripture: Proverbs 8:22-31Romans 5:1-5John 16:12-15 Reflection: The Sunday following Pentecost is set aside in the church’s liturgical year to invite us to reflect on the essential tenet of our faith in God: The mystery…