The events reported in the Bible have, of course, great spiritual lessons for us. However, those spiritual lessons are found in contexts remarkably like our own — with power politics at play, with economic forces at work, with national interests competing. Herod and John the Baptist represent two different approaches to the Roman occupation of… Read More »

The assigned reading two weeks ago was the gospel passage from St. Luke telling the story of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Today in what is known as the Sanctoral Cycle the Church remembers St. Martha as well. Whenever things happen like that back to back I always take it as God… Read More »

Jesus had seen fishermen throwing their nets many times. Jeremiah had observed a potter at the wheel often. However, upon further reflection these very ordinary human activities spoke of the action and presence of God. We need to develop that same ability to recognize the signs of God’s presence. I recently came across a dredge… Read More »

There is a saying: “Experience is the best teacher.” That is not exactly true. We can have many experiences that don’t teach us a thing. It would be more accurate to say “reflection on experience is the best teacher.” Only when we take a step back and delve into the meaning of an experience and… Read More »

The prophet Jeremiah laments all of the trouble and difficulty his nation is enduring. We can relate. All too often we wonder why we have to go through such tough situations. As the milkman, Tevye, posed the question to God: “Lord, I know we are the chosen people but couldn’t you choose someone else once… Read More »

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. James. In doing so, we are reminded of the apostolic foundation of the Church. We are dependent for our faith on those first witnesses of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. According to the Acts of the Apostles, St. James was martyred in Jerusalem about ten… Read More »

Patron saint – Saint James is our patron saint. Even though we don’t use the words “patron saint” in our ordinary conversation the idea behind a patron saint is commonly experienced in life. The mentor you have in school serves like a patron saint. She provides guidance and direction. She helps you discern where your… Read More »

Jeremiah is having difficulty getting people to believe his prophetic message. A century or so before another prophet, Isaiah, told the people not to worry about their enemies due to the presence of God in the temple. The people won’t heed Jeremiah’s call to reform presuming the “temple of the Lord” will serve as a… Read More »

According to Pope Francis, this day commemorating St. Mary Madgalene is to be treated liturgically the way you celebrate any apostle. Mary Magdalene is, after all, the first apostle, the first to announce the good news of the resurrection, the apostle to the apostles. The scene of her encounter with the Risen Lord is very… Read More »