Most saints are remembered on the day of their death which is considered their birth into heaven. However, there are three earthly birthdays in the liturgical calendar: that of Jesus, John the Baptist and the Blessed Mother. The birth of Jesus and that of John the Baptist are recorded in scripture so their inclusion in… Read More »

Does this sound familiar? You’re six years old and you can’t reach the cookie jar on the counter. You drag a chair over and climb up and just as you’re about to reach the prize your mother walks in and says, “Get down off there before you fall and break your neck.” Or, you’re doing… Read More »

The movie Chariots of Fire tells the true story of the British track team at the 1924 Olympics. One of the best athletes, Eric Liddell, was a devout Scottish Presbyterian and refused to participate in a race which was on a Sunday even though that lost his chance to get a medal. (Spoiler alert: he… Read More »

All things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. From this scripture text the twentieth century Jesuit theologian, Karl Rahner, SJ, speculates that we need to rethink our approach to the incarnation of Jesus into human history. There is a traditional line of… Read More »

While each of the gospels record the call of the first apostles St. Lukes’ account has feels like the closest to what happened. Peter, Andrew and James and John would have been listening to Jesus for awhile and, no doubt, attracted to his message. But the decisive moment comes when Simon Peter responds to the… Read More »

Geography is the organizing structure for St. Luke’s two volume work: the gospel with his name and the Acts of the Apostles. The turning point in the gospel (Luke 9:51) happens when Jesus “turns his face toward Jerusalem.” His ministry in his home territory of Galilee was completed and now Jesus moves toward his salvific… Read More »

To belong to Church you learn the catechism, you read the Bible, you recide the creeds, you practice the sacraments. All of these actions are designed to help us to know about Christ. The words of the “unclean spirit” should give us pause. “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you… Read More »

At the end of St. Matthew’s gospel right before his Ascension Jesus gives some marching orders. His followers are to preach, to teach and to baptize. That serves as the mission statement of the Church. We start reading today from St. Luke’s gospel when Jesus begins his public ministry in his home town of Nazareth.… Read More »

Young people might have a hard time imagining this but in the olden days – that is, after the dinosaurs but before the internet – there were only three television channels. Viewers had to wait for the station to decide which movie to broadcast. Happily, once every year the movie which aired was The Wizard… Read More »

‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person … so out of fear I went off and buried your talent.” When Jesus tells the story of the talents he challenges our notion of God. What is God like and how does God treat us? According to the parable he other two who were given talents… Read More »