June 11, 2017

When we know the Father’s grace, that grace as members of the Body of Christ,

we are living in the grace of the Holy Spirit.

June 18, 2017

In the Eucharistic elements, Christ feeds us with spiritual food and quenches
our thirst with the cup of salvation. Thus, He continues to guide the Church

June 25, 2017

Frequently the scriptures tell us not to be afraid, for we have God with us; as members of Christ’s flock, we are called to live this fearlessness.

July 2, 2017

Our lives are networks of relationships, which can change over the course of time. We are challenged in the changes to keep Christ as our primary relationship.

July 9, 2017

Jesus continually surprised people with unexpected wisdom from unexpected sources. We still must be open to new knowledge coming to us from places we don’t expect.

July 16, 2017

Jesus taught in parables, often from the natural world. Our sacraments use things that come to us from the natural realm, too. All can lead us to imagine God’s reign among us.

July 23, 2017

It can be easy to focus on what's wrong in life and in the world. Some time spent focused on grace and goodness can lead us to a brighter day.

July 30, 2017

Our covenant of love with God is our security and strength. May it also be the song that fills our hearts and lives each day.

August 6, 2017

We ask God to give us our daily bread, but prayer is another kind of nourishment also necessary for our spiritual life.

August 13, 2017

We ask God to give us our daily bread, but prayer is another kind of nourishment also necessary for our spiritual life.

August 20, 2017

When we open our hearts to let in the reconciling power of God, we can discover how petty and useless many of our squabbles can be.

August 27, 2017

We live in a world filled with locks and keys, with all kinds of devices meant to keep others out. But prayer is a key we are given to open up our lives to God and to others.

September 3, 2017

Though we’d prefer an always-easy life, life isn’t that way. A deepened relationship with God is the ultimate place to turn.

September 10, 2017

When there is discord in any relationship or group, it is difficult and necessary — because it is difficult — to recall that we must still treat everyone respectfully, as an image of a loving God.

September 17, 2017

CATECHETICAL WEEKEND

We think of extending forgiveness as an act of giving a gift to another person.

But we also receive a gift when we forgive others.

September 24, 2017

Sometimes God seems to act unfairly, but it is really God’s generous justice in action.

Perhaps having a bit more of God’s generous nature would help us to all be more just.

October 1, 2017

Respect Life Sunday

One of the hardest things for us to do is to admit we’ve been wrong. But when we do, we often open up our lives to much affirmation.

October 8, 2017

There are two possible outlooks on most things in life: gratitude or entitlement. Viewing life gratefully helps us to live thankful lives, and avoid greed or jealousy.

October 15, 2017

Banquets or feasts are often used in scripture to tell us something about God’s reign in our midst. Called to an abundant feast, we are likewise called to be signs of that feast, and live by sharing abundantly.

October 22, 2017

Sometimes those who challenge Jesus begin the conversation with false praise.

Now, as then, Jesus doesn’t fall for insincere flattery.

October 29, 2017

Love God. Love your neighbor. There are, essentially, two commandments — but even this short and simple list can sometimes be difficult to live out daily.

November 5, 2017

The Gospel passage is likely the source of the maxim “Practice what you preach.” Though this saying has been around a long time, we still have trouble doing it.

November 12, 2017

Everyone in today’s Gospel reading fell asleep. The real difference is that one group — though asleep — was prepared and ready to go whenever it was time to wake up!

November 19, 2017

Everyone has been given some gift or gifts by God. What differentiates us is the degree to which we use those gifts so they flourish and become of even greater use to those around us.

November 26, 2017

It is an upside-down of kingship that next week’s feast presents to us: We see royalty in the least and the lowly, by giving aid to them.

December 3, 2017

The call to be watchful and alert is a call to readiness, not to let our spirits get sluggish and slip off into a state of unconsciousness. But it is hard at times to stay up, to keep watch. Is Jesus being unreasonable here?

December 10, 2017

Sometimes God’s timeline seems inscrutable, or at least beyond our human patience. While waiting for the Lord, we lift our hearts and voices in prayer, knowing the solace of Divine Presence.

December 17, 2017

As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas, and anticipate his return in glory — no matter what our life situation — we are called upon to be prayerful people of joy!

December 24/25, 2017

Though David wanted to build a dwelling place for God to dwell in, God promised David something greater: a “house” that would last forever. In Christ, we find that promise fulfilled.

December 31, 2017

God doesn't promise a life that is always easy, or never knows sadness or trials. What God does promise us in Christ is someone to share it all - the difficulties and the joys - no matter what.

January 7, 2018

Whether it was Isaiah’s listeners wondering where God’s light was, or the Magi following a star to an unexpected place, or us trying to broaden our understanding of God’s mysteries, we know that God illumines the way.

January 14, 2018

We are anointed with holy oil both at our Baptism and Confirmation. This makes us “anointed ones” for God. But the sheen of that oil disappears soon — what must remain is our living witness.

January 21, 2018

Sometimes God calls us out of the patterns of our day-to-day existence to take on something new. Though we hesitate— we are content with life as it is — the call to turn our lives anew is not to be resisted.

January 28, 2018

In both testaments of the Bible, there are struggles to understand how Divine Authority comes into the world. If we remain connected to the mission and message of Jesus, we have the authority to live as a disciple.

February 4, 2018

The trials of Job led him to an even deeper insight into the ways and the wisdom of God. When life presents us with difficulties, we also can step back in faith, and search more deeply into God’s will.

February 11, 2018

The Church — the Body of Christ — is like other bodies. We are often in need of healing and wholeness. This calls us to be humble enough to acknowledge our own needs, and to be Christ’s healing touch for others.

February 18, 2018

The theme of safe passage through destructive waters to a place of life and hope pervades our understanding of this baptismal season of Lent.

February 25, 2018

After Jesus’ trials in the desert, we hear of his Transfiguration. It was doing the Father’s will that he desired, not status, wealth or power.

March 4, 2018
Modern life offers us many things to be “zealous” about—things to commit our lives, energies, and resources to. But Jesus shows us there is only one thing that should inspire our zeal: God’s will.

March 11, 2018

The entire encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus takes place at night, yet Jesus is able to reveal light, and bring Nicodemus to the light.

March 18, 2018

As we stand at the threshold of Holy Week, which begins in two weeks, we hear once again that life will have times of trial, but in Christ we are assured that the trial is not our final future.

March 25, 2018

When our lives imitate the pattern of Christ’s life — when we offer ourselves in humility, and in sacrifice for the sake of others — we are truly proclaiming that Christ is Lord!

April 1, 2018

According to scripture, nobody witnessed the actual Resurrection event; it was the testimony of witnesses that spread its news. Next Sunday, there are the witnesses,
so others “see” the Resurrection.

April 8, 2018

In the early days after the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his followers, extending them the blessing of peace. In John’s Gospel, he gives another gift after the Resurrection: the Holy Spirit.

Sunday, April 15, 2018

The disciples’ response in the familiar Emmaus story should be our own, especially when we celebrate the Eucharist — to have our minds open to God’s word, to have our hears on fire for Christ.

Sunday, April 22, 2018

If it seems nonsensical to say that an actual shepherd would die for the flock, that’s because it is — unless the shepherd is the very love of God for us, our shepherd Jesus Christ.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

For followers of Christ, to “remain” does not mean merely staying in place, but keeping an active, living, and close connection with him at all times.

Sunday, May 6, 2018

As the community of Jesus’ first followers grew, they grew in their understanding of God’s boundless love, and how boundless is the call to live in that love.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Extraordinary events were clear, if at first unexpected, ways that God’s reign came to the world. We can bring God’s presence in daily living, so God’s reign still comes in unexpected ways.

May 20, 2018

The Holy Spirit, the “actor” who drives the “acts” of the apostles, urged them, and always urges us, outward, bringing the Good News to new places and to new people.

May 27, 2018

The three persons of the Holy Trinity form a community among themselves. From their community we receive loving inspiration for our own community.

June 3, 2018

The Blood of Christ is the source of the new and eternal covenant — a covenant sealed by Christ’s blood mingling with our own.

June 10, 2018

Our great strength as Christians comes from oneness in Christ: We form one Body. When evil successfully divides us, it also weakens us.

June 17, 2018

We can cooperate and advance the coming of the reign of God on earth, but we can never bring it about on our own. It will happen only through God’s grace and will.

June 24, 2018

As Zechariah’s neighbors used signs to communicate with him, we often communicate our faith to others most effectively by the sign of our daily lives.

July 1, 2018

We believe in a God who, in Jesus, took on our human flesh. Jesus of Nazareth literally touched people to heal them. Through us, members of his Body, he still can.

July 8, 2018

To reverse a popular TV show theme song, sometimes you want to go where nobody knows your name. Dismissiveness can often accompany familiarity with those we think we know.

July 15, 2018

Sometimes we think that there is a select group of people — to which we could not possible belong — who are the “holy ones.” If we really live in Christ, this could not be less true.

July 22, 2018

The evangelists tell us that Jesus is moved to the depths of his being for others.

July 29, 2018

Jesus could have fed the multitude in any number of ways, making food appear out of thin air. But He worked a miracle with what is already a miracle: God’s Creation.

August 5, 2018

Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist is meant to renew us and energize us to become that Body and Blood for the life of the world.

August 12, 2018

Plenty of things in our daily lives clouds our vision. By allowing Christ to heal your vision, we are able to see and love again as the Father sees us and loves us.

August 19, 2018

The actions of eating and drinking at the Eucharist are the same as we use daily. But Eucharist calls us to a deeper, more engaged eating and drinking.

August 26, 2018

Our world, like the world of scriptural times, is filled with many categories or even pigeonholes we try to use to keep others away. But to live as Christ means to serve others — ALL OTHERS.

September 2, 2108

The Church has always experienced a tension between faith and actions. Rather than viewing these in tension, however, we truly follow Christ when they are united.

September 9, 2018

Divine healing in the scriptures never exists for its own sake, but as an impetus to proclaim God’s glory. When we experience healing, our lives must be opened to be faithful witnesses.

September 16, 2018

Suffering of various ports is an integral part of being human. Jesus knew this, for he shared fully in human suffering. But he shows us that our ultimate hope is in the restorative healing power of God.

September 23, 2018

Try as we might to live good and righteous lives, we sometimes lose focus through jealousy or envy of others. Better to stay focused on how we can serve others.

September 30, 2018

Our lives can get crammed so full—with busyness, possessions, material concerns — that there is little room or time left for God. Some housecleaning may be in order to free up some space for the Divine.

October 7, 2018

Our lives can get crammed so full—with busyness, possessions, material concerns — that there is little room or time left for God. Some housecleaning may be in order to free up some space for the Divine.

October 14, 2018

To observe the mere basics of our faith, to do the bare minimum, is a kind of indifference to God’s presence in our lives. Our quest must be God’s — to live and love more extravagantly, more fully.

October 21, 2018

A good portion of discipleship is balancing the place of servanthood, and leadership in our lives.In some way, each of us is called to do both in our life of faith.

October 28, 2018

From Hebrew slaves freed from Egypt to faithful people calling out to Jesus for healing, we encounter many stories of persistent faith. Let us make our story
the same.

November 4, 2018

We only need to love God in two ways—but in most broad and deep ways! We must love God completely, and love our neighbor as we love our very selves.

November 11, 2018

Two widows figure prominently in these readings. The first offers her last bit of sustenance to a foreigner, a stranger; the second offers an enormous portion of her small worldly wealth to God.

November 18, 2018

In a way, it would be simpler to live out the rest of our lives if we knew precisely when all would come to an end. Jesus calls us to something more difficult: living that way even though we don’t know.

November 25, 2018
We live in a shifting time, when people are replacing what is true with what they believe is true. In Christ, we know what a true king is, though it may not match up with what others believe a king to be.

December 2, 2018

Though the followers of Jesus were told at his Ascension not to stare uselessly up at the sky, faithful disciples will keep focused—with their hearts—on the power of heaven for guidance and comfort.

December 9, 2018

In Baptism we were named for Christ. This means that every day we are called upon to look around us for the presence of Christ in the world, and to live so that others see Christ present to us.

December 16, 2018

Next week is a joyful resting place on our Advent journey toward the coming of Christ. This season can sometimes be filled with busy-ness, so we need to stop, rest, and rejoice!

December 23/25, 2018

“Let ev’ry heart prepare him room.” This is a message not only in these final days before Christmas, but for every day.

December 30, 2018

We think of church, or perhaps religious education classes, or a parish school as the places we learn about faith. But none of these is more central to learning to live our faith than the household and family.

January 6, 2019

We are tempted to think of Epiphany as a single day for celebrating the arrival of the Magi. Yet, every day, in our own lives, we are offered the opportunity to behold and reveal the God-appearing that is Epiphany.

January 13, 2019

The baptismal garment is an outward symbol of the brightness and glory of Christ, in which we are wrapped—even swaddled—on our baptismal day and every day of discipleship.

January 20, 2019

It's tempting to think that knowing and naming the gifts God has given us shows a lack of humility. In truth, doing so actually helps focus on how we might be most effective as sharing the Good News of Jesus!

January 27, 2019

Those who don’t look like us, or think or talk like us, or agree with us — how difficult it is to see all people as God’s children, all of us loved by God.

February 3, 2019

Must not be afraid to stand up to people in power, face lots of rejection, be relentless in proclaiming God’s mercy, and offer comfort and consolation in times of trial.” Applicants?

February 10, 2019

There may be no task more difficult than seeing ourselves for who we truly are, and striving to see ourselves as God sees us. God, who made us, continues to look upon us as good.

February 17, 2019

Luke’s Beatitudes, unlike Matthew’s, balance the “blessed” sayings with others beginning with “woe.” The woes of the world, according to Jesus in Luke, come when we place our trust in that which is not of God.

February 24, 2019
The expectations and commandments of Jesus—especially to love one’s enemies—made people suspicious about him, and his early followers as well. Following Jesus, we should not be surprised if others think we also might be a bit unbalanced!

March 3, 2019

Though we may think that actions speak louder than words, we still express that truth using words. Our words can be potent, for good or evil, to promote the gospel message or impede it.

March 10, 2019

How much we want all of life to be easy and pain free! Yet our experience of life teaches otherwise, and our faith shows us how the pain of the past can lead us to hopeful futures.

March 17, 2019

Clouds are frequently present in the Scripture. A pillar of cloud led the Israelites through the desert, and the Abba of Jesus speaks from a cloud. When our lives seem cloudy, we can trust in God’s guidance.

March 24, 2019

The most common substance on earth — water — is also the most precious. It is no wonder that the stories of our salvation feature it so frequently.

March 31, 2019

As our Lenten journey progresses, we strive to improve the manner in which we “see” with our hearts, hoping that, in the light of Christ, we can truly come to see the world as God does.

April 7, 2019

In the Gospel scene of forgiveness, Jesus shows us that God will not be held captive by the past, but rather turns us, in hope, toward the future.

April 14, 2019

When Jesus—who was both truly human and truly divine—was humbly sacrificed on the cross for us, it was the ultimate act of reconciliation. As his disciples, we give of ourselves as people of reconciliation.

April 21, 2019

Just as the Easter season celebrates Christ is arisen, our own lives must be celebrations in which the life of Christ arises from our daily living.

April 28, 2019

In addition to the glory and splendor of the Risen Christ, this joyful season can also grant us the blessing of peace. “Peace be with you” is a common greeting of the Risen Christ.

May 5, 2019

The Gospels recount a number of times that Jesus came to the table and ate with others. Following his resurrection, eating with his friends was a way for him to show them that it was still and truly him.

May 12, 2019

We can often recognize those closest to us—even without seeing them—just by hearing them speak.

May 19, 2019

Though the Resurrection moved Jesus to a place beyond his mortal body, we still believe that God took on our flesh in him. He continues to be enfleshed through our own lives.

May 26, 2019

As Jesus readied his friends for his departure at the Ascension, he consoled them with the promise of the Holy Spirit, sent as an Advocate, or helper, as they continue his mission.

June 2, 2019

Christian life will have its times of reverence and awe, times when we look to the heavens in silence. But we are also called upon to break the stillness of those moments to go forth with the Good News.

June 9, 2019

One of the ways the Spirit prepared the disciples at Pentecost was through the gift of tongues, so their “house” was ready to receive many people from different lands, languages, and ways of life.

June 16, 2019

We believe the Holy Trinity to be three Persons in one God. Of primary importance is their relationship to each other and to us, and our relationship with them.

June 23, 2019

In every Eucharist, it is the simple gifts of the earth that the Spirit changes into the Body and Blood of Christ. We can also take and change what we have been given into Christ’s presence for the world.

June 30, 2019

This week we see that Jesus resolves to head for Jerusalem, the place of his passion and resurrection. The opposition he faces should be a sign for us that following the path of Jesus will not always be easy.

July 7, 2019

As Jesus continues his journey to Jerusalem, he sends out some of his followers in a preview of what will be expected of them following the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost.

July 14, 2019

The parable of the good Samaritan is so familiar, and comes from so long ago, that we can forget that Jesus’ first hearers would have been shocked: an enemy-outcast is the hero of the story!

July 21, 2019

Every one of us has a different set of gifts or abilities to make the world a better or more welcoming place for others.

July 28,2019
Upon hearing the Lord’s Prayer we may think. Luke forgot part of it; but his briefer form gives the prayer more urgency, as Jesus continues to Jerusalem.

August 4, 2019

Many things tug at us for our allegiance— some healthy, some not. Ultimately, only one of these can hold first place in our lives.

August 11, 2019

Our word “remember” has its origins in the Latin word for being mindful: memor. Christians are called upon to be mindful again and again of the life and way of Jesus Christ, as we follow him daily.

August 18, 2019

Though Pentecost was months ago, Jesus reminds us that he came to set the world on fire. As members of the Church born at Pentecost, that is our work.

August 25, 2019

We pray for the reign of God:”thy kingdom come.” Praying to God—keeping in touch—also happens when our lives reflect that reign, which welcomes in peoples of unimaginable diversity.

September 1, 2019

The word “humility” originates with the Latin “humus”, which means the ground or the earth. A truly humble person is one grounded in honesty.

September 8, 2019

In the same way we sometimes think that others are hearing us but not truly listening, God may likewise think the same; we hear, but don’t listen.

September 15, 2019

We can sometimes think too highly of ourselves, and at other times we have a falsely low self-image. God calls us to an honest evaluation of our lives.

September 22, 2019

Being made in the image of God doesn’t mean only our personal existence but also treating others in a God-like way.

October 6, 2019

It’s easy to become discouraged by the events of the world, but God’s word encourages us to move forward hopefully, toward a fulfillment of God’s vision for us.

October 13, 2019

As in biblical times, today we are tempted to believe we know who is in and who is out of God’s favor. As in biblical times, God often has a surprise for us!

October 20, 2019

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus goes off by himself to pray. As members of his Body, the Church, we follow his example, and remain in prayer—our contact with God.

October 27, 2019

Our society sometimes thinks justice means seeking revenge or retribution. This is opposed to God’s justice, which desires that all things be in harmony with each other.

November 3, 2019

No matter how expansive our view of God’s merciful love may be, it will still fall short of the actual breadth of mercy God continually displays.

November 10, 2019

In Christ we are not promised a life that will be free from suffering or trials but a promise of a life in which Christ will remain with us through those times.

November 17, 2019

“Mind your own business!” we sometimes hear. The “business” we are truly intended to mind is that which God gives us: always striving that God’s will be done.

November 24, 2019

We can better imagine God to be like earthly royalty than a divine royalty who is unlike any on earth; poor, humble, serving others.

December 1, 2019

Unlike our everyday life, in which we can never fully prepare for crisis or emergency, we are able to prepare spiritually for the time of the Lord’s return.

December 8, 2019

Sometimes we do not like change, but when it comes to living more closely in the image of Christ, things about our lives do need to change. We cannot change our lives without a change of heart first.

December 15, 2019

The world around us if filled with lights during this season but sometimes feel very dark. In this darkness, we remember God sending us Light from light.

December 22/25, 2019

Even the most secure lives have some insecurities, and life can change in an instant. Through every possible future, we know that our true place of safety and rest is in God alone.

December 29, 2019

Even during a traumatic time like the flight into Egypt, the Holy Family surely looked at one another in love, to calm the anxious fear of their journey. May their gaze comfort us today.

January 5, 2020

We can lose sight of how unexpected and lowly the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus were, how much of an underdog he was in the eyes of the world. But God grants underdogs a star in the sky.

January 12, 2020

The story of Jesus’ Baptism can become so familiar that we shut out its Holy Spirit. Take time to note the remarkable aspects of this story, and your own story.

January 19, 2020

Much of life is ordinary, but God has graced us with the ability to recall the extraordinary moments of blessing, and to act on them to fill all of life with holiness. 

January 26, 2020

The command (invitation) from Jesus, “Follow me,” seems simple, but to follow Jesus means that we leave things behind, and our following changes our lives.

February 2, 2020

We sometimes think that holiness is for other people, and it’s likely that we all know people who we’d consider holier than ourselves. Our life of faith tells us otherwise, and must lead us to holiness.

February 9, 2020

The individualism of our surrounding culture can invade our spiritual lives, and we despair of being able to counter all the sin in the world. But we are part of a team, powered by the light of Christ! 

February 16, 2020

It is tempting to try and figure out the bare minimum that we can do and still think we are a follower of Christ. But He always challenges us to do more than the minimum to stay away from the Tempter who leads us down that path.