In a previous life I used to travel a lot. When I was in Colombia or Costa Rica and they asked where I’m from I’d say “the United States.” When I’m back visiting my family in Baltimore and someone asks where I live I answer “Illinois.” I was at a funeral downstate in Dwight and… Read More »

Elijah was in Jesus’ time and is to this day an important figure in Judaism. (At the contemporary Seder table a place is set for Elijah.) He stands for the promise of God — just as God was with Elijah during his life so the return of Elijah demonstrates the ongoing presence of God in… Read More »

Jesus quoted from what was, apparently, a common saying of the time: “We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.” That reminds us that no matter what you do you’re going to get criticized. Hence, you can’t let criticism guide your actions. The… Read More »

Jesus told the crowd: “All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John and … he is Elijah, the one who is to come.” To understand what Jesus meant the crowds had to know their own history, how God had been at work in the past. A healthy spiritual life requires… Read More »

“Come to me” and “learn from me” are two of the commandments of Jesus. We come to Jesus by placing ourselves in prayer and acknowledge him as “the way, the truth and the life.” What do we learn from Jesus? For me, the “school” of Gethsemane is the place of the most profound learning. It… Read More »

In 1519 Hernan Cortez brought the conquistadors into Mexico and subjugated the native Americans. With him came missionaries bringing Christianity. The the mission was not initially very successful — it was an alien religion, the religion of the conqueror. Twelve years later the Blessed Mother Mary appeared to one of those native peoples who had… Read More »

The four guys who schlepped their paralyzed friend to see Jesus are true heroes. They must have been good buddies to do so — and they must have been persistent in their desire to be of help. Instead of turning back when the crowd prevented them from getting to Jesus, they found a way. Can’t… Read More »

John the Baptist calls us into the desert. We much prefer avoiding the deserts of our lives.  If we had our ‘druthers, we wouldn’t be full of doubt.  Sure God, it’s easy for you because “one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day” but I don’t have that long. … Read More »

There is an inbuilt paradox in parish life. On the one hand, we need to care for the “sheep” who are coming to Church. They need to be pastored, instructed, sanctified. That is a full time commitment. On the other hand, Jesus told his apostles to “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”… Read More »

Today the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception, promulgated by Pius IX in 1854. This is not a Biblical feast but reflects the theological conclusion that Mary was chosen from the first moment of her existence to be worthy as the Mother of God. What the Bible does teach us is that Mary’s exceptional nature as… Read More »