Economists and sociologists talk about the “law of unintended consequences.” You think you are doing one thing but it produces an unexpected result. For example, using fossil fuels to power modern society has the unintended result of global warming. Caiaphas, the chief priest, produced an unintended result in the decision to kill Jesus. He prophesied… Read More »

In St. John’s Gospel there are seeming “throw away” lines that actually convey much food for thought. For example, we’re told that after experiencing threats and opposition Jesus “went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained.” It was at the Jordan that Jesus was baptized, that he heard… Read More »

The list of those who painted the Annunciation is like a who’s who of art: Da Vinci, Fra Angelico, Caravaggio, Botticelli and many more. The drama of the scene with the angelic announcement is picturesque. The problem is that the paintings might cause us to miss what is really important — the miracle of the… Read More »

I had a poster which contained in big letters the saying of Jesus:  “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” At the bottom of the poster was appended: but first it will make you miserable. We are experiencing the truth expressed by that poster in the current efforts in our… Read More »

I used to think that the Hebrews were a bunch on ingrates for complaining. With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God. God had led them out of slavery, opened up the Red Sea, had sent manna from heaven. It’s almost like the people were saying, “Yeah, but what have… Read More »

I used to attend the Festival of Homiletics. Several thousand, mostly mainline Protestant, preachers  gather annually to hone the art and craft of preaching. About half of the group were women and I have heard some of the most amazing sermons delivered from their perspective. That memory came to me hearing about the story of… Read More »

“Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” That’s it, isn’t it? That’s the point, right? That’s why we’re here, why we come to Church, why we say our prayers. We would like to see Jesus. We would like to come to know that God is with us, Emmanuel. We would like to see Jesus cleanse… Read More »

St. John’s Gospel has a tendency to conclude incidents with seeming throw-away lines which in fact serve as commentary on what just happened. For example, Chapter Seven reports of the dispute that broke about among the various factions of Jewish society over Jesus’ nature and identity. The lines of disagreement become hardened and John concludes… Read More »

The Old Testament Joseph, Son of Jacob, was a dreamer. His brothers resented his dreams and they landed him in trouble, sold as a slave into Egypt. In the providence of God his dreams got him exactly where he needed to be. The New Testament Joseph, husband of Mary, was a dreamer. His dreams caused… Read More »

One tension we live with as Catholics is holding onto the faith as explained by scripture and tradition while at the same time being open to the new thing God is doing. This was an issue in the ministry of Jesus. He challenged his contemporaries: You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal… Read More »