What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it. There is a temptation to yearn for the good old… Read More »

They threw Stephen of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. Violence has haunted the human species since our days living in caves. When we can’t get what we want, when someone is preventing us from doing what we want… Read More »

As the number of children’s pageants in Churches around the world bear witness Christmas has some great imagery. There is the long trip of the pregnant Mary to Bethlehem where there no room for them at the inn. You have angelic chorus singing of God’s glory. You have shepherds who hear the message of the… Read More »

If you ever doubted that Christmas was a big deal for Christians look at the liturgy. Between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day there are four different sets of readings to choose from. If they have one theme in common it is “peace.” “You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for… Read More »

“What, then, will this child be?” This question raised about the new-born John the Baptist could be raised about any child. Every parent when they accept a child into their home asks the same question. But the question requires more than simply sitting back and waiting to see what happens. Parents, and society in general,… Read More »

Ordinarily the response to the first reading at Mass is taken from one of the 150 psalms. Today, in place of a psalm the response is the prayer (Canticle) of Hannah. The first reading tells the story of Hannah offering her long prayed-for son, Samuel, to the Lord. Her prayer is one of trust and… Read More »

There are lots of songs about dreams. My favorite is from the Man of La Mancha. “To dream the impossible dream, to fight the unbeatable foe, to bear with unbearable sorrow, to run where the brave dare not go…” More recent songs: “Sweet dreams are made of this,” “California Dreaming,” “Dream a little dream of… Read More »

The Old Testament lesson for both today and tomorrow is the encounter between King Ahaz and Isaiah (Is. 7:10-14). The Church wants us to notice this passage! The LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God… But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” While… Read More »

As the oldest I would take it upon myself to chide my younger siblings. “Wipe your feet when you come in the door.” They would hear that as meaning “because you’re an ignorant slob if you don’t.” When my sister, just younger than I, would say the same thing my siblings would hear “because you… Read More »

One of the last things which Pope Francis did was proclaim this as a holy year of hope. In a world which seems to be going to hell in a handbasket hope is a precious commodity. The Bible shows many examples of hope. The prophet Jeremiah was constantly badgering the king, princes, priests and people… Read More »