November 30, 2008: The First Sunday of Advent
As we begin the season of Advent and start a new church year, it is a good time to take a look
at where we are in our journey with the Lord. Pray for the insight to know what God asks of
you and for the fortitude to follow wherever His Spirit may lead you.
November 23, 2008: Our Lord Christ The King
It may feel comforting to “know” we are good Christians because we follow all the rules and
go to church. But if you listen to what Jesus has told us, you know that following the rules is
not the key. Care for others, loving our neighbor is what really matters.
November 16, 2008: The Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Each of us have been graced with gifts. Our particular personality, our abilities, and our
intellect all combine to make us a unique person. With each strength, there is also a
weakness so we may know our limits and our need for others.
November 9, 2008: The Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
The parable of the foolish virgins seems strange. Why don’t those who have oil share it and
why are the foolish ones locked out of the wedding? It doesn’t seem fair and it makes many
people uncomfortable.
November 2, 2008: The Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time: All Souls Day
We want to look up to our leaders and follow their example. They can teach us a lot. When
they fail to be all we want or think they should be, we are dismayed and find it easy to
condemn them. We may even think what they taught us has no value.
October 26, 2008: The Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The first reading from Exodus may be a little disconcerting. “You shall not molest or oppress
an alien, for you were once aliens...you shall not wrong any widow or orphan...if you lend
money...you shall not act like an extortioner”…
October 19, 2008: The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
What does it mean to you to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s?”
pay your taxes and go to church? Praying for hours and going to church every day does not
mean that you are doing God’s will when your neighbor is suffering.…
October 12, 2008: The Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Most people would like to be rich and able to afford all the really nice things in the world. It seems like it would be the end of troubles. Yet Jesus insists it is hard for the rich to enter the
Kingdom.…
October 5, 2008: The Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
There are so many things to worry about– world concerns, national issues, local needs, and personal problems. It can be overwhelming. Paul urges us to present our needs to God with gratitude.…
September 28, 2008: The Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Our human nature finds it very difficult to accept God’s way of doing things as “just.” Many of Jesus’ parables tell us that God does not judge things the way we would.…
September 21, 2008: Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Sunday Gospel recounts the story of the vineyard owner who fired workers throughout the day and then paid everyone for a full day’s work. Many sympathize with the workers who put in a full day and feel this was unfair.…
September 14, 2008: The Triumph of The Cross
The most astounding thing God has ever done is to become human. Jesus came not to condemn us but to reveal God’s love and save us. He did not put himself above others but became a servant to all.…
September 7, 2008: The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Ten Commandments give us a list of “rules” to follow if we want to obey God. They are very simple and yet volumes have been written to “explain” what they mean. There is a level of comfort in having such a list.…
August 31, 2008: The Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah never wanted to be a prophet and doing God’s will did not bring him honor nor respect. He was mocked and laughed at and some even tried to kill him.…
August 24, 2008: The Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Who is Jesus to you? Is he a miracle worker, judge, superhuman, or a friend? We cannot take walks or sit down and chat with Jesus. We know the stories about his life and teachings; but that all happened a long time ago.…
August 17, 2008: The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s Gospel recounts the story of a Canaanite woman who asks Jesus to help her daughter who was possessed by a demon. Although Jesus ignores her, she keeps after him and in the end her faith is rewarded.…
August 10, 2008: The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Have you ever wished that God would just send you a letter and tell you what to do? We pray for all sorts of things and want to get an answer but more often than not, we feel disappointed.…
August 3, 2008: The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Nothing can separate us from the love of God. No matter what may be happening in our lives, no matter how many stupid, thoughtless things we may have done, God still loves us and is ready to give us the grace we need at the moment.…
July 20, 2008: The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sometimes we are at a loss about what we should do. Even our attempts to pray seem hollow and fruitless. Ironically, it is at these times that we may receive the greatest graces. We need to trust God.…
July 13, 2008: The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
No farmer in his right mind would just scatter seeds everywhere. He would make sure the soil was good and would provide the seed with every chance to grow. But that is not how God works.…
July 6, 2008: The Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Usually, when we find life a continuous struggle and we become stressed out and depressed, we never think that the problem might be within us rather than circumstances around us.…
June 29, 2008: The Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Peter and Paul are wonderful examples of discipleship. While they had their virtues they also had some serious faults. Peter was always putting his foot in his mouth and even denied Jesus. Paul was so committed to the Law that he persecuted Jesus’ followers.…
June 22, 2008: The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We like to keep count of things – who owes us, points we have earned, etc. We even do this with our faith – how well have we followed the “rules” and maybe even how many indulgences have we earned.…
June 8, 2008: The Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
It is so easy and so human to put down, discriminate against, and even persecute those who do not share our beliefs and traditions. We are seldom inclined to listen to what they have to say or to try to understand where they are coming from.…
June 1, 2008: The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Is it enough to follow the laws of God? Is it enough to declare that Jesus is your Lord and Savior? Obeying all the rules can make us feel good but it does not always lead us to doing good nor does it always lead to justice.…
May 25, 2008: The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
How important is the Eucharist to you? Do you take advantage of opportunities to receive it? Consider what Jesus told the disciples: “If you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”.…
May 18, 2008: The Most Holy Trinity
We may think that the early Christian communities were perfect models of what it means to be disciples. But if you read the Epistles, especially some of Paul’s letters, you will see they had the same struggles we face.…
May 11, 2008: Pentecost
Pentecost celebrates one of the most important gifts we have been given: the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is our companion and guide through life. The Spirit, if we are open to it, will help us see what we are called to be and do.…
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