St. Paul fusses with the people of Corinth: “I hear that when you meet as a Church there are divisions among you.” The reality of divisions in the Church goes back to the very beginning. But for the Apostle, the fact that there are divisions is a direct contradiction to the meaning of the Eucharist.… Read More »
SEPTEMBER162018
The scene in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus is with his disciples at Caesarea Philippi reminds me of Family Feud. Let’s start with the Apostle family. Who do people say that I am: John the Baptist. Survey said: X. Who do people say that I am: the prophet. Survey said: X. Who do you… Read More »
SEPTEMBER152018
Pope Francis has added a new celebration in the Roman Catholic calendar — Mary “Mother of the Church” feast will be celebrated on the Monday following Pentecost. Pope Francis wants the devotion to “encourage the growth of the maternal sense of the Church in the pastors, religious and faithful, as well as a growth of… Read More »
SEPTEMBER142018
The feast of the exaltation of the cross has two images. St. Paul says that Jesus “emptied himself” of his divine prerogatives in order to accept the cross. In the gospel (picking up an Old Testament theme) Jesus speaks of being “lifted up” — which we ordinarily thing of as a positive thing but being… Read More »
SEPTEMBER132018
The epistle and the gospel for today offer an interesting commentary on each other. In the first letter to the Corinthians St. Paul tells us that knowledge inflates but love builds. Contrast a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloon with a brick house. The balloon looks very impressive coming down Broadway but it is only for… Read More »
SEPTEMBER122018
Both St. Matthew and St. Luke report Jesus pronouncing “beatitudes,” a series of blessings for his followers. The differences are instructive. St. Luke reports Jesus as saying, “Blessed are you who are poor.” Notice the form is direct address, not the more impersonal “Blessed are the poor.” And in St. Matthew the beatitudes are somewhat spiritualized… Read More »
SEPTEMBER112018
In St. Luke’s gospel Jesus is frequently depicted in prayer, particularly before a major decision such as the choice of his twelve apostles. “Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.” You have to wonder, though, if there were critics among those who were not chosen. “Why… Read More »
SEPTEMBER102018
I draw a strange sort of consolation when the bible reports of the difficulties in the early Church. St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “It is widely reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans.” The Church in the US is trying to wrap its head… Read More »
SEPTEMBER92018
Comic book superheroes are depicted nowadays as flawed characters. Batman is depressed, Iron Man is arrogant, Spiderman is full of angst, Superman is conflicted, Wonder Woman – well, Wonder Woman is perfect but then what should you expect, she’s a woman. There is even a super family, the Incredibles, who strive with little success to… Read More »
SEPTEMBER82018
Today the Church remembers the birth of Mary (nine months after the Immaculate Conception.) The gospel readings tell the story of the birth of Jesus and the ancestry of Joseph — nothing about the birth of Mary since the Bible doesn’t say anything about her birth! Perhaps the alternative lesson from St. Paul provides the… Read More »
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