There is an interesting contrast between the two readings assigned for today, the first Monday of Lent. In the Book of Leviticus you get a version of the Ten Commandments with many “thou shalt nots.” In the Gospel of Matthew, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, contains “thou shalts” — thou shalt feed… Read More »
FEBRUARY182018
Who made you? God made me. Why did God make you? God made me to know, love and serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him forever in the next. Does that sound familiar to any of you old timers out there? It is, of course, from the Baltimore Catechism which was… Read More »
FEBRUARY172018
Lent is a season for the repentance of sin. When we think of sinfulness we ordinarily run through the Ten Commandments and see which ones we violated. However, in the Bible, sin is much broader than commandment keeping. For example, if we were doing an examination of conscience using Isaiah 58 as a guide it… Read More »
FEBRUARY162018
A Trappist monk once told me that when he was new to the monastery he would spend all of his time in the chapel. The Abbot called him in and the monk explained he was trying to become holy. The Abbot suggested, “If you want to be holy, spend your spare time helping the gardener… Read More »
FEBRUARY152018
During Lent the first reading and the gospel are chosen specifically for that day. Today’s lesson from the Old Testament, “Choose Life,” is paired with the words of Jesus in St. Luke, “Take up your cross daily.” At first glance the command of Moses, “Choose life,” seems obvious. Who wouldn’t choose life over death! But… Read More »
FEBRUARY142018
The one thing which is sure, predictable, certain about our future is that we shall die. Lent can be looked upon as the practice of death. The traditional practices of Lent, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, are a way of orienting ourselves toward the God who loves us through life into death. We pray in order to… Read More »
FEBRUARY132018
The epistle of St. James warns us that “desire” is the source of temptation. When we desire something it can blind us to what is really good for us. Many have picked up this theme. St. Ignatius talked about our need for “indifference” — where our own desires are put aside so that we have… Read More »
FEBRUARY122018
“Why does this generation seek a sign?” Jesus asked. It should not have been a surprise to him that people sought a sign. There is a natural human tendency to look for the sure thing. In a world where you feel like people are kidding themselves or kidding you, how do you spot the genuine… Read More »
FEBRUARY112018
You have all, no doubt, seen a picture of the most famous touch in the history of art. On the ceiling of the Sistine chapel Michelangelo depicted the creation of Adam. The figure of Adam is lying languidly with his hand outstretched looking like he is chilling out. God the Creator is riding a whirlwind… Read More »
FEBRUARY102018
When confronted by a hungry crowd the disciples noticed their lacks, their deficits. “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Jesus asked them to focus instead on their assets. “How many loaves do you have?” It turned their assets were enough for God to do the rest and work a… Read More »
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 223
- 224
- 225
- 226
- 227
- …
- 297
- Next Page »