Earth, air, fire, water – ancient writers in many cultures described everything in the world as made up of some combination of those four elements. Modern people might have a bit of smug superiority reading how the different elements combined to make elephants, hurricanes and Jello brand gelatin. But to be honest, while I am… Read More »

In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. This passage from the Epistle to the Hebrews is an echo of the story in the gospels… Read More »

Holy Thursday tries to do many things at once. It is the day when we remember that Jesus first celebrated the Eucharist and left the sacrament with us as his ongoing presence in our midst. “Do this in remembrance of me.” That commission reminds us that the apostles were empowered to celebrate the sacrament as… Read More »

During Holy Week the Church reads four selections from the Book of Isaiah which scholars call the Suffering Servant Songs. This section of Isaiah was probably written at the time of the exile. The nation had been conquered. The king and leadership eliminated. The temple destroyed. Israel was experiencing extremes of suffering and despair. The… Read More »

A Hasidic tale: all of the angels were rejoicing after Moses led the people through the Red Sea and into safety. Gabriel noticed that God was weeping and asked why.”Your people Israel are safe, O Lord.” Yes, God answered, “My people Israel are safe but my people the Egyptians are dead on the shore.” Jesus… Read More »

The anointing of Jesus is told by all four of the evangelists but situated at different moments in the life of Jesus and each gospel emphasizes a different aspect of the story. Apparently the early Church remembered this incident from the life of Jesus but didn’t now exactly what to do with it. One thing… Read More »

Jesus is the Savior. His very name means savior. That was name given him by the angel announcing his birth to Mary and then to Joseph in his dream about Mary: ‘She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.‘ Jesus explains… Read More »

To this very day the idea of “the land” plays a vital role in Jewish identity. When the people of God were in exile away from their homeland  it was the dream of returning which gave them hope. The prophets fed that hope: I will take the children of Israel from among the nations to… Read More »

When I was a young seminarian working in a mission parish one summer, an older brother paid me a high compliment. “Brother John, I don’t know if you are a good religious, but you are a good Christian.” I took that to mean that my actions were modeled on the teaching and example of Jesus.… Read More »

One of the glories of Catholic devotion is the communion of the saints. Our ancestors have not gone from us, just gone ahead of us. They remain with us by praying for us and praying with us. They offer us support and provide guidance. Even Jesus rejoiced the saints who were still with him. He… Read More »