The passage from Deuteronomy 6 is central to the Jewish faith. It is recited twice a day. It certainly was important to Jesus as a pious Jew who quoted it when asked what is the greatest commandment. “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Therefore you shall love the Lord….” I… Read More »

For the next few days the daily reading will be taken from the Book of Deuteronomy. This is the fifth and last book of the Torah, the most sacred texts for Israel. The word “deuteronomy” means second law. It is structured as the last sermon that Moses gives to the Hebrew children before they enter… Read More »

When you love someone you don’t think about what is the least you can get away with when you give a gift. “Will she be satisfied with three roses instead of a dozen?” “If I get him a seat in the nose bleed for the game will he complain?” No, when you love someone you… Read More »

“We felt like grasshoppers.” That is what the men sent to reconnoiter the land of Canaan reported after seeing the forces arrayed against them. That can be our experience as well. Confronting the violence in the city, the plight of immigrants in the US and around the world, or merely the problems in our families… Read More »

The story of Jesus walking on the water is assigned as the daily reading for today and the gospel reading for next Sunday. Whenever such a duplication occurs I take it as a sign the the Holy Spirit wants us to pay special attention to the text. Today what struck me was the question of… Read More »

Complaining is part of the human condition. The Hebrew children complain because God gave them bread from heaven instead of Chilean Sea Bass. Moses complained because of the complaints! Just kill me now, he prayed, so I won’t have to put up with the grumbling. In Jesus time the disciples complained because of Jesus’ unjust… Read More »

In St. Matthew’s Gospel the baptism of Jesus and the Transfiguration both are highlighted by a heavenly voice:  “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus like all of us had as his starting point the unconditional love of God. It was bestowed upon him because of who he was and is  bestowed… Read More »

A few years ago, Cardinal O’Connor of happy memory gave a talk describing an experience he had. He was walking down the street when he noticed a large African-American man walking toward him. He began to be frightened so he crossed to the other side of the street. The man did too. He kept walking… Read More »