June 23, 2024
TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — B Job 38:1,8-11 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 Mark 4:35-41 In the study of philosophy one of the first things we studied was the Socratic Method – named after Socrates, of course. He would ask questions not so much seeking information or to get an answer but to challenge his dialogue… Read More »
June 16, 2024
From Elie Weisel: When tragedy would threaten Israel the Baal Shem Tov would go into the holy forest, light the sacred fire, say the special prayer and Israel would be saved. His successor was not the man he was and when tragedy next threatened Israel Rabbi Ezekiel had forgotten the location of the holy forest… Read More »
June 9, 2024
TENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – B Genesis 3:9-15 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35 History buffs will remember that, when Abraham Lincoln was running for the Senate, he gave a speech using the image of a “house divided against itself cannot stand” which he had, no doubt, learned from the Gospel of St. Mark. When… Read More »
May 26, 2024
THE MOST HOLY TRINITY – B Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40 Romans 8:14-17 Matthew 28:16-20 There is a section in the book store or on the movie guide called “mystery.” In this genre of story, a crime has been committed and it is up to the detective (who is usually a little quirky) to determine whodunnit. The mystery… Read More »
May 19, 2024
PENTECOST SUNDAY Acts 2:1-11 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23 Art and literature are filled with stories of a quest: Odysseus trying to get home, Dante on the way to paradise, Frodo and the ring, Luke Skywalker looking for his father. The theme of a quest is not limited to the realm of fiction but… Read More »
May 12, 2024
ASCENSION OF THE LORD – B Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 4:1-13 Mark 16:15-20 On a beautiful Spring Day, maybe in 1970, the seminary decided to have the Ascension Thursday mass outdoors. They set up the altar, brought out the guitars (very 70s) and prepared the bread and wine. There was one surprising element: helium balloons. When… Read More »
April 28, 2024
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – B Acts 9:26-31 1 John 3:18-24 John 15:1-8 There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Talk is cheap. Deeds, not words. If you’re going to talk the talk you’ve got to walk the walk. Actions speak louder than words. The philosophers have only interpreted the world; the point is… Read More »
April 21, 2024
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER –B Acts 4:8-12 1 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18 The image of Christ as the Good Shepherd is one of the most endearing of Christian icons. Think of how many funerals where we have sung the 23rd Psalm: “the Lord is my shepherd.” All of this despite the fact that most… Read More »
March 31, 2024
EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD Acts 10:34, 37-43 Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-9 Despite the conventional wisdom, seeing is NOT believing. The unreliability of eye-witnesses is well known in the court room. Research shows that 75% of false convictions are caused by an inaccurate eyewitness statement. In our time when there are deep… Read More »
March 30, 2024
HOLY SATURDAY Exodus 14:15-15:1 Romans 6:3-11 Mark 16:1-7 There is a wonderful song in Fiddler on the Roof. “God would like us to be joyful Even though our hearts lie panting on the floor; How much more can we be joyful, When there’s really something To be joyful for. To life, to life, L’chai-im! L’chai-im,… Read More »
