Mrs. Goldbloom took her seat on the plane next to Swen Swensen, six-foot two, blond, blue-eyed. After staring at him for a while she asked, “Pardon me, are you Jewish?” He said, “No.” A few minutes later she turned to him again, “You can tell me, you know — you are Jewish, aren’t you?” He… Read More »
NOVEMBER172018
In the New Testament we find a Gospel according to John, three epistles ascribed to John and the Book of Revelation whose author is named John. Together these books are known as the Johannine literature and have a plea for unity as a common theme underlying them all. Even in the earliest days of the… Read More »
NOVEMBER162018
A few years ago in the ecumenical movement there was a saying “doctrine divides but service unites.” The idea was that instead of debating points of belief the churches should concentrate on caring for those in need. Not a bad idea but the author of the second epistle of St. John might offer a caution… Read More »
NOVEMBER152018
Philemon has a problem. Paul sent back his runaway slave, Onesimus, with an admonition that, since Onesimus is now a Christian, Philemon should treat him “no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother.” Thus the problem: if Philemon accedes to Paul’s request in this one instance, all of his slaves will… Read More »
NOVEMBER142018
The story of Jesus cleansing the ten lepers is usually held up as a reminder of the importance of thanksgiving — a good lesson. Another lesson is hidden in the story. Jesus said to the lepers, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” The one who returned to give thanks did not obey this command of Jesus!… Read More »
NOVEMBER132018
The letter of St. Paul to Titus is one of the so-called “pastoral epistles.” It deals with practical matters with which pastors should concern themselves. It includes “household codes” to guide family relations. These codes are standard for Roman society, and hence can sound odd to modern ears. For example, the epistle advises that younger… Read More »
NOVEMBER122018
The clergy sex abuse scandal has caused deep soul searching among Catholics. The words of Jesus serve as the commentary on the situation: “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.” The “little ones” deserve to be protected at all costs… even a millstone! Which helps us understand… Read More »
NOVEMBER112018
Once upon a time a village on the main highway got tired of giving handouts to the travelers who came through. They resolved to hold onto what was rightfully theirs from now on. Three soldiers came into town one day. “Move on. We don’t give handouts,” the townspeople insisted. “Oh, we don’t need a handout,”… Read More »
NOVEMBER102018
The Bible reflects an ambiguity when it comes to money. Jesus, for example, chides us, “You cannot serve God and mammon.” His lesson to “seek first the kingdom of God” shows the secondary place that money has according to gospel values. St. Paul has a similar attitude. “I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself,… Read More »
NOVEMBER92018
On the Church’s calendar this day we celebrate the Dedication of the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome. This is the cathedral church of Rome (St. Peter’s is technically in another country, Vatican City) and hence the seat of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. St. Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, hammers… Read More »
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