Everyone would probably prefer a sign from God, a clear message of what God wants us to do. When Jesus’ contemporaries asked him for such a sign he answered, “no sign will be given, except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus asked the people to remember their own story to see how God works. In the… Read More »

One of the words in common usage nowadays is transactional — that I do this for you and you do this for me. We can apply that to God — expecting to get so much grace out of so many prayers. But the bible teaches that kind of mechanical thinking does not apply to prayer.… Read More »

The book of Leviticus gives direction on all the things we should NOT do in order to act as the people of God. Do not lie. Do not steal. Do not curse.  Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy. In the gospel of Matthew Jesus ups the ante and tells us what… Read More »

What would you do if you were God for a day? Would you produce a cure for cancer? Would you help our planet avoid climate change? Would you make sure that no one was hungry or homeless? And maybe, if you had the time, you might give the White Sox a little boost as well?… Read More »

Pope Francis reminded the Church that we are “missionary disciples.” The founder of my religious congregation, Fr. Judge, said “Every Catholic is called to be an apostle.” Two ways of saying that the faith is not simply a possession we hold onto but something meant for everyone, something to be shared. The prophet Isaiah tells… Read More »

This is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.  When Jesus is challenged about his disciples not fasting he… Read More »

The readings during the season of Lent are particular for each day. (In Ordinary Time particular books of the Bible are chosen and read chapter by chapter.) The two readings complement each other. Today, in the Book of Deuteronomy we read: Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD,… Read More »

Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. We begin Lent with a reminder about whole heartedness. This echoes, of course, the great commandment to “love God with your whole heart, mind… Read More »

There is a spiritual wisdom across many cultures and religions. For example, St. James in his epistle says, “Each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin.” The Buddha said something similar when he described the “noble truth” that human life includes suffering because we are… Read More »

The first reading in ordinary time alternates between the Old and New Testaments. After reading about the stories of the first kings of Israel, Saul, David and Solomon, the church shifts today to the New Testament Epistle of James. Since there are several (five?) people called James in the New Testament we are not sure… Read More »