Both theologians and mystics agree, anything we say about God is more wrong than it is right. God is so much more, so much beyond human language that whatever words we use will inevitablly fall short of the reality we are attempting to describe. Islam captures this reality by invoking the “99 names of God.”… Read More »

Jesus asked the man who had been sick for 38 yearsm”Do you want to be well?” Instead of answering the man gave his excuse on why he wasn’t well. That is a story all too familiar. Jesus asks us, Do you want to be well? Do you want to be happy? Do you want to… Read More »

There shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight. While Lent is certainly designed as a penitential season its primary function is to lead those approaching the Church to the Easter sacrments. Particularly in these last two weeks… Read More »

We have become accustomed to movies having sequels. After The Godfather you get The Godfather, Part II; Fast and Furious One leads to Fast and Furious Fifty-Seven or whatever current number is.  In addition, if a movie is really successful, they will at times make not only a sequel but also a prequel, a movie… Read More »

For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice. This was one of Jesus’ favorite Bible quotes! It is also a constant challenge for the Church. A few years ago there was a priest meeting where the topic of destination weddings came up. Should there be some accomodation made for those who want to get… Read More »

Have you ever noticed that when Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment the actual command word, the imperative, is “hear.” Love, the commandment suggests, is what happens when you hear how God loves us already, before we do anything. The readings for today stress hearing: the prophet Hosea, “Take with you words” and the… Read More »

Sometimes the Bible can be confusing. In St. Luke’s gospel Jesus says, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23. In St. Mark Jesus says, “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40).Not the same thing! Did Jesus say different things at different times? Did the Church in an ancient version… Read More »

Henry David Thoreau is supposed to have said, the government governs best which governs least. This sentiment has crept into the mythology of the United States. Just leave people alone to do what they think best and society will work. The Bible (and the US Constitution for that matter) don’t believe that is the case.… Read More »

There’s a scene in Alice in Wonderland when Alice objects that you can’t believe in impossible things. The Red Queen responds: “I daresay you haven’t had much practice… Why sometimes I’ve believed in six impossible things before breakfast.” The angel in the story of the Annunciation invites Mary to believe in impossible things. Certainly that… Read More »

In chapter 4 of St. Luke’s gospel Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue to describe his mission. Later, in a confrontation with the townspeople he invokes the memory of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Jesus’ self-understanding was formed by the story of how God dealt with Israel which he had learned in… Read More »