Scripture: Sirach 27:4-71 Corinthians 15:54-58Luke 6:39-45 Reflection: Has anyone ever told you the story about when an airplane is in trouble, each passenger is instructed to put on their own oxygen mask first before they help others put on their…
Scripture: Sirach 17:1-15Mark 10:13-16 Reflection: Today’s readings could seem to be a paradox, which is a self-contradictory statement or situation. The book of Sirach, sometimes called Ecclesiasticus, is part of the wisdom tradition in the Catholic bible. Ben Sira, a…
Scripture: Sirach 6:5-17Mark 10:1-12 Reflection: During my time serving in parish ministry as a pastoral associate, one of my treasured experiences would be the opportunity to prepare couples for their marriage. Every couple brought a different story of how they…
Scripture: Sirach 5:1-8Mark 9:41-50 Reflection: In our first reading from Sirach, the author says, “Delay not your conversion to the Lord.” This is toward the end of our reading, but what has gone before, and what we hear Jesus say…
Scripture: Sirach 4:11-19Mark 9:38-40 Reflection: Wisdom. We do not often enough reflect on this virtue. We are more familiar with “Faith, Hope, and Love.” But wisdom in today’s reading from Sirach is full of rich images, not the least of…
Scripture: Sirach 2:1-11Mark 9:30-37 Reflection: In the Crucible of Humiliation Some time ago I had a layover in the Denver airport. To pass the time I wandered over to a bookstore and noticed the titles of books in the window:…
Scripture: Sirach 1:1-10Mark 9:14-29 Reflection: Encountering Christ I have often thought about some of the most impressive people I have encountered. It had to be Cardinal Ratzinger. Years ago he came to our monastery in Germany where I had a…
Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-231 Corinthians 15:45-49Luke 6:27-38 Reflection: In the midst of political divisions in our country and in the world, including war and violence, in the midst of people interpreting what is going on in vastly…
Feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4Matthew 16:13-19 Reflection: So much of today’s readings reference shepherding. Psalm 23, with its familiar and comforting words, reassures us of God’s love and protection. The Chair of St…
Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9Mark 8:34-9:1 Reflection: Sometimes what seems the best and most promising path to take reaps consequences utterly different than we anticipated. And sometimes the path we initially want nothing to do with is precisely the one that opens…