Scripture: James 5:1-6Mark 9:41-50 Reflection: In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus uses some startling, even harsh, words warning against sin: “Whoever causes one of these little ones … to sin, it would be better for him if a great…
Scripture: James 4:13-17Mark 9:38-40 Reflection: Sometimes, the readings for the day are so descriptive of human foibles that they make the gospels leap off the page, becoming so real to me that I seem to recognize people I actually know.…
Scripture: James 4:1-10Mark 9:30-37 Reflection: If you are a dedicated watcher of the evening news, you have noticed that there are conflicts throughout the entire world, in our communities, in our homes, and in our lives. In our first reading…
Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church Scripture: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14John 19:25-34 Reflection: Today we celebrate the Feast Mary the Mother of the Church. Search as you might, you won’t find this title for Mary anywhere in…
Pentecost Sunday Scripture: Acts 2:1-111 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 or Galatians 5:16-25John 20:19-23 or John 15:26-27; 16:12-15 Reflection: If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew…
Scripture: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31John 21:20-25 Reflection: How many times have we verbalized our interpretation of someone without really knowing all the facts, without knowing their back story or true self? Comments like, “ooh, I bet she was a terrible mother,”…
Scripture: Acts 25:13b-21John 21:15-19 Reflection: “Do you love me?” It is the most penetrating, personal question anyone can ask us, and in today’s gospel, it is the question Jesus asks Peter not once, but three times. “Do you love me?”…
Scripture: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11John 17:20-26 Reflection: Severe weather and tornado season started early this year in the Midwest and the South. I was awed and dumbstruck to see one hit close to home in Nebraska, not just one but three…
Scripture: Acts 20:28-38John 17:11b-19 Reflection: “Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be…
Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle Scripture: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26John 15:9-17 Reflection: How often do we feel undervalued? How does being on theB-Team typically make us feel about ourselves? And when we’re finally chosen for the A-Team, how much of that…