One word can make a big difference. For example, to say “She rode the horse bareback” is not the same as saying “She rode the horse back bare.” One word, big difference. The one word which commands our attention today is “another.” Jesus says, “I will ask the Father and he will give you another… Read More »
MAY202017
The report of St. Paul’s second missionary journey as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles is, of course, written years later, in hindsight. Thus, for example, when we read “they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia” we probably should not imagine some direct revelation… Read More »
MAY192017
The faculty at the seminary after Vatican II were confused. I remember Fr. Gilbert preaching a sermon with this memorable line: You can love, love, love until the cows come home but you’ve still got to keep the commandments. My guess is that he imagined that the call to gospel love in the air in… Read More »
MAY182017
Acts of the Apostles chapter 15 describes what has been called the “Council of Jerusalem.” Those first followers of Jesus had to make a big decision: was it necessary to be a Jew in order to be a follower of Jesus. There were strong feelings on both sides of the issue that prompted “no little… Read More »
MAY172017
From the very beginning there have been divisions and controversies in the Church. The most critical happened to the first generation of believers because of the inclusion of non-Jews (Gentiles) into the fellowship. Were they going to be required to follow the Jewish law or not? Very sincere, very devout people were on both side… Read More »
MAY162017
In the so called “last discourse” in St. John’s gospel (chapters 14-17) Jesus tells the disciples some variation of “Peace I leave with you … Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” How can we live in peace, have untroubled hearts in such an unpeaceful and troubled world? That made me think of… Read More »
MAY152017
“What happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” This question addressed to the Jesus by the apostles resonates. There is a line from the play Jesus Christ, Superstar. “Why’d you choose such a backward time. And such a strange land? If you’d come today. You could have reached the… Read More »
MAY142017
The single most important word for Catholics is not a theological word like Trinity or a historical word like Pope or a philosophical word like transubstantiation. The single most important word for Catholics: A-N-D, and. Faith and reason, human and divine, three and one, justice and mercy, Bible and tradition, body and soul, spirit and… Read More »
MAY132017
After a lack of success preaching to the Jewish people in Pisidia, St. Paul declared:”we now turn to the Gentiles.” A fisherman friend of mine understood this passage completely. “If the fish are biting in one area, you go where the fish are biting.” And yet, we know from Paul’s letter to the Romans that… Read More »
MAY122017
Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way…” This passage from St. John 14 has a special resonance at St. James. After all, the tomb of the apostle is reported to be in Santiago de Compostela.… Read More »
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