If he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.” And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” At first glance this exchange between Jesus and his disciples seems like a non-sequitur. What does an increase in faith have to… Read More »

If you are susceptible at all to the charms of science fiction I recommend The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula LeGuin. In it, the space traveler, named Genry, comes to a planet where they can actually foretell the future. He is amazed that this ability makes no difference in their lives. He says, “You… Read More »

The people of St. James have endured the loss of the building where generations have worshiped. That loss led to a discovery — that being church is not defined by a building. It is a community which welcomes, prays, forgives, serves, grows which makes Church. It is true, however, we expect the place where we… Read More »

“I am convinced … that you are full of goodness … but I have written to you rather boldly in some respects to remind you .. to be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” You can picture the Church at Rome reacting negatively to St. Paul’s letter. He doesn’t know us, they might have said,… Read More »

When you ask people why they have “left” the church a frequent answer is “I felt judged.” If we are judging others we are not heeding the message of St. Paul. “Why do you judge your brother or sister? … We shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.” Of course the church must… Read More »

The great African bishop, St. Augustine, once said: Have true love and do what you will. In this he is echoing St. Paul’s letter to the Romans: “The one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” The Ten Commandments, the six Precepts of the Church, the Code of Canon Law are all (very poor, at… Read More »

“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them.” This admonition from St. Paul needs to be take seriously. The needs are countless, we are limited by temperament, ability, training, energy level, time. A necessary part of Christian discernment is discovering what I can do given my… Read More »

St. Paul can’t understand why his people, the Jewish people, have not recognized Jesus as the Christ. Since they are the chosen people they should be first in the kingdom of God. After all, the Apostle observes, “The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” Once the chosen people, always the chosen people. His… Read More »

According to the dictionary to be “up a tree” means to be “in a troublesome or challenging situation.” Even before he climbed that sycamore, Zacchaeus was up a tree. Because he collaborated with the occupying Romans he was considered a traitor to his country, he was alienated from his neighbors, he was ostracized from society.… Read More »

On this All Souls’ Day I am reminded of a quote from William Faulkner: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” We remember our beloved departed not as part of our past but as part of our present. They are still with us. We profess in our creeds “the communion of the saints,”… Read More »