Did St. Matthew want us to smile? “Jesus warned them sternly, ‘See that no one knows about this.’ But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.” Even Jesus couldn’t get people to behave! What lay behind Jesus’ (ignored) command to keep their cure private? My guess is that Our Lord… Read More »

Isaiah reassured the people of Jerusalem when they were under threat. “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us…Trust in the LORD forever!” The people did trust in the Lord and they were delivered. A century later Jeremiah warned the inhabitants of Jerusalem of impending doom. But what about… Read More »

My guess is that Zebedee was not happy. He had worked hard to build up his fishing business. Finally, his sons were grown and they would be able to take over and he could rest a bit. But this itinerant preacher, Jesus, comes and tells them to follow him and they do it. They left… Read More »

Many years ago I worked at a parish in Louisiana. This was in the years after “separate but equal” schools were declared illegal in the US and this small town had only one elementary school, one junior high school and one high school. When I would visit the elementary school it was a joy to… Read More »

There are three featured players in the season of Advent: the prophet Isaiah, St. John the Baptist, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the beginning of Advent Isaiah plays the starring role. His vision of the coming triumph of God helped to shape the Church’s vision of the Messianic Age. So pervasive was Isaiah’s influence… Read More »

You know the old story of the mother banging on her son’s door in the morning. “Johnny, wake up. It’s time to go to school.” He yells out from his room, “I don’t want to get up. I don’t want to go to school.” “Why not?” asks his mother. “Three reasons. First, school is no… Read More »

In the USA the civil year ends with excessive revelry and the new year begins with resolutions (not to engage in such revelry again?) The Church’s year (which ends today and a New Year begins tomorrow with the First Sunday of Advent) is not marked by such a dramatic transition. However, the Scripture does suggest… Read More »

When things seem to be going to hell in a hand basket the Biblical promise of a “new heaven and a new earth” is very attractive. This is not working, let’s try again! On the other hand, we need some stability, some security in a world filled with uncertainty. Thus the promise of Jesus that… Read More »

One of the great teachers in the spiritual life, Meister Eckhart, said: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” That seems somewhat strange. What about prayers of contrition? or prayers of petition? Why is gratitude “enough?” What Meister Eckhart wants us to understand is… Read More »