Messy Can Be Good
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Family life can be extremely messy simply because people’s lives are messy, and not just celebrities with all their flamboyant dysfunctions and pretentious drama and… Continue reading
This Holy Child & Every Child
The Nativity of the Lord On this Christmas day, we pause to take in the mystery unfolding before us. The Almighty, all-knowing, eternal God, who created the universe in its immensity, who set… Continue reading
God’s Plan in God’s Time
Fourth Sunday of Advent So that was “the plan.” The angel Gabriel just let a young woman of Nazareth in on God’s amazing plan for the salvation of the human family. But we… Continue reading
The Voice
Third Sunday of Advent You may be familiar with the singing competition on TV called “the Voice.” I don’t watch it. But I’ve caught a couple of clips online, mostly because some people… Continue reading
And Now My Watch Begins
First Sunday of Advent Jesus’ instruction in the gospel is clear. He didn’t say, “Wait.” This is solid, reliable assurance that Advent is not primarily about waiting. Rather, he said, “Watch.” It’s similar… Continue reading
Not My Job
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe On my trip to visit family and back this past week, I like to listen to podcasts of old radio game shows. I especially enjoy… Continue reading
Come, Share Your Master’s Joy
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Sometime during the funeral of every priest, bishop, pope, religious sister or brother, and occasionally when a military chaplain says a few words at the grave of a… Continue reading
Don’t Miss the Boat
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time I remember a cartoon of two dinosaurs huddled together on a hill. The rising floodwaters had forced them to seek higher ground. Behind them appears to be Noah’s… Continue reading
Do Not Follow Their Example
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time The entire 23rd chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, from which this passage we read today is taken, is an unrelenting, unforgiving diatribe against the religious leaders of… Continue reading
Love Them Anyway
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time You probably know it as the prayer attributed to Mother Teresa, displayed on a wall of her children’s hospital in Calcutta. It begins, “People are illogical, unreasonable, and… Continue reading