Soldiers sometimes complain that the unofficial motto of the army is “hurry up, and wait.” Everything has to be done chop, chop and then things pause for an indeterminate time. The gospel seems to have a similar rhythm. Jesus conveys a sense of urgency at the coming of the kingdom. “Stay awake!” St. Paul was rushing… Read More »

The personality of St. Paul comes through in his letters. He could be assertive, defensive, combative, righteous. He was never reluctant to justify the way he operated. You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved toward you. Actually, you would need that kind of personality to launch yourself… Read More »

When the apostles are listed by name Philip and Bartholomew are always together. It is somewhat surprising that in St. John’s Gospel the associate of Philip is Nathaniel. Are Bartholomew and Nathaniel the same person? We know how important the apostles are for the Church. We have an “apostolic” faith according to our creeds since… Read More »

For the past few weeks the assigned reading was from the Old Testament. Today we shift to the New Testament with the first bit of writing we have from this period — St. Paul’s first letter to the Church in Thessalonica, written about the year 50AD. Paul had been on the road as an apostle… Read More »

To whom would you go if you needed to fix a leaky pipe in the rectory? To a plumber. To whom would you go if you wanted to put some new outlets plugs in the food pantry? To an electrican. To whom would you go if your car started making all sorts of funny noises?… Read More »

Jesus was well known — and criticized — for welcoming everyone, even “tax collectors and sinners” in the Biblical phrase. The only group he seemed to have a hard time with was the religious leadership at that time because “they preach but they do not practice.” The contemporary Church has felt the sting of scandal… Read More »

After the terrible story of Jephthah’s daughter the lectionary presents the delightful story of Ruth. Ruth is a pagan woman who continues to support her widowed mother-in-law even after she became a widow. “Wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my… Read More »

The story of Jephthah’s daughter is a “text of terror” in the memorable phrase of a feminist scholar. This woman remains one of the nameless victims of a patriarchal society. Jephthah, as is the way of abusers, blames the victim.  Daughter, you have struck me down and brought calamity upon me. When the Rabbis comment on… Read More »

My classmate, Gary, a Biblical scholar attuned to issues of translation is bothered by some of the ways the prayers of the Roman Missal are translated into English.  For example, on the 9th Sunday of ordinary time we pray that “in works and in truth we may merit to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Gary… Read More »

All too often the troubles we are dealing with seem overwhelming. What can I do in the face of endemic racism, gun violence, hunger and poverty, hostility to immigrants, resistance to necessary health measures? The Bible’s response is given to Gideon when he was confronting an overwhelming problem: “Go with the strength you have.” God… Read More »