The conversion of St. Paul was a big deal for the early church — such a big deal that St. Luke tells the story three times in the Acts of the Apostles. I wonder, though, if that story has given us a distorted idea of how conversion works. For most of us conversion is not… Read More »

The gospel readings for the days immediately after Easter tell of the resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples. This week the readings were taken from John 6, usually called the Bread of Life Discourse. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven … and the bread that I will give is my… Read More »

After the martyrdom of St. Stephen, there broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem and all were scattered. The persecution produced “loud lament” among those first believers. But God uses everything, even seemingly negative things. The scattering of the early Jesus movement was the occasion for missionary activity, spreading the Word out of… Read More »

I find Jesus’ exasperation with Philip not “getting it” consoling. “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me?” Even three years with the greatest catechist ever and Philip still needed to grow in faith. Not surprising that I also need to keep working at “getting it.”… Read More »

They presented false witnesses who testified, “This man never stops saying … that this Jesus the Nazorean will … change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” The preaching of Stephen caused a violent reaction among the population of Jerusalem. While St. Luke claimed that “false witnesses” slandered Stephen, they actually named accurately the… Read More »

St. John adds an appendix to his gospel where he places the dramatic scene of Jesus reconciling with Simon Peter after he had denied him three times. I had envisioned that Jesus would have pulled Peter aside to do this but the way St. John tells the story the other disciples were standing around when… Read More »

Jesus said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” We need that word today. There is so much to fear. I fear that our unwillingness to deal with climate change is irreparably harming “our common home.” I fear the legacy of racism in our country condemns another generation to a lack of equal… Read More »

The story of Jesus multiplying the loaves and fish made a big impression on his followers. The gospel writers tell it six times! In St. John’s account the apostles respond that they can’t possible help others since they have so little, only five loaves and two fish. “What good are these for so many?” Jesus substitutes… Read More »

“We must obey God and not any human authority.” That word of the apostles certainly sounds right but the problem comes in knowing exactly what God is telling us to do! After all, we have in recent history seen terrorists justify murder and mayhem in the name of God. Less dramatically, political conflict in this… Read More »

St. Luke paints an idealized portrait of the first Christian community in the Acts of the Apostles. The community of believers was of one heart and mind. He was not there, of course, so this nostalgic memory probably was not entirely accurate. Just a few chapters later, for example, Luke describes tensions that existed among… Read More »