Why did the father and the brother have such different reactions to the return of the Prodigal Son? When the father talked to the elder child he said, “Your brother was dead and has come to life again.” The father had mourned the loss of the younger son. He felt his absence on a deeply… Read More »

“Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons.” When you read that you know that trouble is coming. When someone is the favorite, the “teacher’s pet,” resentment is sure to follow. Nor is this limited to teen-age boys. When someone is on a pedestal, someone is being honored, there is a human tendency to want… Read More »

The parable of the Rich Man (Dives in Latin) and Lazarus can be intimidating. Dives is not portrayed as evil. He obviously loves his brothers. He is a man of faith knowing Abraham. But he ends us in torment not so much because of something sinful that he did but on what he neglected to… Read More »

The people of Jerusalem were telling the prophet Jeremiah “stay in your lane.” All they wanted was instruction, counsel, a message. They did not want to be challenged, to be called to conversion, to be asked to change. The same tendency exists today. We want our preachers to offer us consolation, to comfort us. But… Read More »

St. Joseph was not given a speaking part in the Bible. To understand who he was and what he stood for the Church has looked for Old Testament referents. St. Joseph is a descendant of King David, heir to the divine promise. Jesus needed Joseph’s acknowledgement as his child in order to be the “son… Read More »

“The measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” These words of Jesus serve as a reminder that we can tie God’s hands. God desires to show upon us graces and blessings. All that we need do is be open to receiving them. However, God does not force us in… Read More »

Several years ago, well several decades ago, there was a TV show I remember. It was on Twilight Zone or Outer Limits or something in that genre. The set up was that the devil gave the main character a pair of glasses that let him see people as they really were. This one was a… Read More »

“I say to you, love your enemies.” This word of Jesus has challenged Christians throughout the ages. Won’t we become Casper Milquetoast if we love our enemies? The example of Jesus shows us otherwise. He was not afraid to confront his enemies: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.” What Jesus knew is that… Read More »

In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5, Jesus proposes that his followers ratchet up a notch the traditional Jewish observances. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors… But I say to you…” Lent provides us the opportunity to assess if we are making progress in following the way of Christ. We… Read More »

“Your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him.” Your experience is probably similar to mine in asking and seeking and knocking in prayer and not having our prayer answered. To understand this I remembered by mother not responding to my request for a chocolate cupcake. Eat your carrots first, she demanded.… Read More »