There are two visions of how to be a Catholic in the world today. One is similar to that of Ezra at the time when the Chosen People returned from Exile; namely, that the people of God are called to be a “remnant,” to hold onto our values in the face of a hostile world.… Read More »

The “children of Israel, priests, Levites, and other returned exiles” were united in their dedication to God as seen in the re-building of the Temple in Jerusalem after the return from exile. Jesus has an all-embracing vision of who belongs: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act… Read More »

The Old Testament Book of Ezra tells the story of the people of God returning from their two generation long exile in Babylon, present day Iraq. Their Babylonian conquerors had in turn been conquered by the Persians (present day Iranians.) The Persian king released the Jews (called the Jews since the only tribes left was… Read More »

“I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg, I know what I shall do…” In the, from our perspective, very strange parable of the “unjust steward” Jesus commends him for “acting prudently.” The steward knows his gifts and knows the system and uses it for his own ends. The parable… Read More »

St. Paul lists seven “ones:” one Body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father. For him, unity lies at the core of reality. We live in a society which notices differences rather than unity. My country is better than your country. This people are “other” than I am… Read More »

“The love of money is the root of all evil.” St. Paul suggests that we get ourselves in trouble when we lose our “contentment.” “If we have food and clothing we should be content with that.” I have noticed that what I require for “contentment” has expanded over time. First, I decide I need a… Read More »

The gospel writers tell the story of the woman who washed the feet of Jesus. (In Luke she is simply unnamed as “a sinful woman.”) It is important to see the direction of cause and effect. Jesus informs the Pharisee that “she has shown great love” because “her many sins have been forgiven.” The forgiveness… Read More »

“To what shall I compare this generation?” Jesus asked. One thing which is a perennial throughout human history is that no matter what you do, you are going to be criticized. John the Baptist was criticized as a religious fanatic because of his lifestyle. Jesus was criticized as “a glutton and a drunkard” because he… Read More »

St. Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus reflect how quickly the church developed structures that we recognize today. Then, as now, the issue of finding good leaders in the Church was crucial. When the Apostle lists all the qualities for a bishop — “temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive,… Read More »

“It is my wish that in every place the [people] should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.” When we think about sinfulness we usually associate it with satisfying one’s appetites — sex, food, drink, possessiveness, etc. However, St. Paul seems to have worried more about another type of sinfulness where we react… Read More »