“Repent.” John the Baptist bursts on the scene of first century Palestine as a prophet — the first prophet in Israel in more than 400 years. His message of repentance would be familiar to those who knew the prophets of old. Jesus himself took up the message when he began his public ministry. What does… Read More »

During Advent many readings are taken from Isaiah because of his portrait of what “the day of the Lord” will be like when God comes and makes all things new. On the day the LORD binds up the wounds of his people. The gospels during Lent almost serve as a counterpoint since at the coming… Read More »

On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The readings during Advent are designed to prepare us for God to come into the world. The sign of God’s presence will be healing and wholeness. Jesus fulfills that promise… Read More »

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” When Jesus gives his description of the last judgment in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats the criterion for salvation was… Read More »

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples. One aspect of life a spiritual life is “thisness,” (to coin a word.) Don’t look for God in some exotic location, some specialized experience, with some unusual person. Look for God in this place, at this moment, with this person. Jesus instructs the… Read More »

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; The calf and the young lion shall browse together. Isaiah paints an idyllic picture of what a famous painting called “The Peaceable Kingdom.” He envisions a time when conflict and violence will cease. Alas, such a… Read More »

In Ordinary Time the Bible selections for each day are done as an continuous reading — we start with a book of the Bible and read it chapter by chapter. During Advent the readings are particularly chosen for each day. On this, the first Monday of Advent, it is no surprise that Isaiah provides the… Read More »

Happy New Year. The Church considers the first Sunday of Advent, today, as the beginning of a new Church year. But, truth to tell, this day does not seem all that new at all. It’s pretty much like any other day. And this year at first glance looks like any other year. There is an… Read More »

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life.” Okay, Jesus, I get it that carousing and drunkenness can be a danger to the spiritual life. But the “anxieties of daily life” as well? Anyone who isn’t anxious about daily life… Read More »

The Book of Daniel haa a vision of what the coming of the new age of God will be like — beasts, horns, heads, wings, wheels of fire, myriads of attendance, all things outside of our usual experience. Jesus has a different vision for the coming of the new age — go out into back… Read More »