Scripture: Hosea 6:1-6Luke 18:9-14 Reflection: I taught a session at a church recently, and the issue of Lenten practices came up. It seemed that most people grew up with the idea of “giving things up” for the season. In their…
Scripture: Hosea 14:2-10Mark 12:28-34 Reflection: If there is one thing all of us are pretty good at, it’s losing our way. We know that orienting our lives toward God and following Christ on the path of discipleship is the only…
Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9Matthew 5:17-19 Reflection: …I have come not to abolish but to fulfill… It seems that Jesus was forever being accused of breaking the law – healing on the Sabbath; why do you not wash your hands as…
Scripture: Daniel 3:25, 34-43Matthew 18:21-35 Reflection: The Hard Grace of Knowing Sin In Luke’s gospel, after preaching to a crowd on the shore of Lake Galilee, Jesus tells Peter to put out into the deep and cast the nets. Despite…
Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15abLuke 4:24-30 Reflection: Our Gospel story picks up midway through the fourth chapter of St. Luke. The final part of Jesus’ interaction with the people in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. He has just announced…
Scripture: Exodus 17:3-7Romans 5:1-2, 5-8John 4:5-42 Reflection: Last week, as we reflected on Jesus’ words, “Do not be afraid,” one of the fears mentioned was “Do not be afraid of God revealing you to yourself.” In our Gospel reading for…
Scripture: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28aMatthew 21:33-43, 45-46 Reflection: I do a lot of public speaking and check LinkedIn frequently. One speaker (whom I’ve met) posts regularly on her plentiful national keynotes, active social life, and musical competence. I realize I’m…
Scripture: Jeremiah 18: 18-20Matthew 20: 17-28 Reflection: Service My main reason for becoming a Deacon in the Catholic Church was to serve. I often wonder if it came down to me sacrificing my life for the Church, would I be…
Scripture: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20Matthew 23:1-12 Reflection: For they preach but they do not practice.They tie up heavy burdens hard to carryand lay them on people’s shoulders,but they will not lift a finger to move them. -Matthew 23:3-4 Who should I…
Scripture: Daniel, 9:4b-10Luke 6:36-38 Reflection: The author of the Book of Daniel lays it on thick in today’s first reading: “We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws. We…