The first reading in ordinary time alternates between the Old and New Testaments. After reading about the stories of the first kings of Israel, Saul, David and Solomon, the church shifts today to the New Testament Epistle of James. Since there are several (five?) people called James in the New Testament we are not sure… Read More »

When I was growing up one of the big concerns was how much of the Mass could you miss for it to “count.” If I remember right, the consensus was if you arrived before the gospel you were safe. That type of thinking is what Jesus was reacting to in the Sermon on the Mount… Read More »

Let’s say you have a 9am appointment at the doctors. You get there five minutes early, check in and told “have a seat. The doctor will be with you shortly.” Ten minutes goes by, twenty. At 9:30 you are frustrated enough to go up to the desk and say, “Perhaps I should re-schedule since the… Read More »

One element of the rite of Baptism echoes the miracle that Jesus worked in the Decapolis for a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. The priest or deacon uses the Aramaic word that Jesus said, “ephphatha,” translated as “be opened,” as he touches the ears and mouth of the neophyte. The prayer… Read More »

The Bible teaches us that Jesus was like us in all things but sin. Since learning is part of the human condition, Jesus had to learn. One time he learned was when he met the Syro-phoenician woman. He was on vacation and the last thing he wanted was to be bothered by a stranger, not… Read More »

When the queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon’s great wisdom, the palace he had built, the food at his table, the seating of his ministers, the attendance and garb of his waiters, his banquet service, she was breathless. David was a warrior, constantly at war to secure the borders of his kingdom. He settled on Jerusalem… Read More »

“Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders?” Your ears should prick up when you hear someone say, “We’ve always done it this way.” Both in the social and in the religious realm that is a red flag indicating rigidity. For one thing, “always” is a long time. There are some in… Read More »

Sacred places are important. King Solomon built the temple of the Lord and offered it to God. “I have truly built you a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever.” Even though this temple, and the subsequent one built on top of it, are long gone the place is still considered sacred. When… Read More »

You are the light of the world, the salt of the earth, a city on a hill. That’s how Jesus looks on us. The Prophet Isaiah tells us how to live up to such a lofty identity. Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see… Read More »

Jesus said to the apostles, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”  So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd. If I… Read More »