Temptation of the Lord
February 26, 2020
This first Sunday of Lent is the temptation of Jesus in the desert, a powerful scene that shows us both the Lord’s humility and the truth of how we are to resist temptation.
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Holy and perfect
February 19, 2020
We continue our journey through the Sermon on the Mount. Let’s review. Our Lord has taught the beatitudes, those right attitudes of being. If we live the beatitudes, Jesus declares, “You are the light of the world, and the salt of the earth.” This statement is not just declarative but imperative: Live the beatitudes, be the salt, and be the light of the world. With that, Jesus addressed six precepts of the law: The law was meant to be lived not just by the letter, but by the spirit; not written only on stone tablets but on one’s heart. Our Lord calls us to a higher standard.
Gospel commentary: Light the fire
February 13, 2020
Who were the Pharisees? To make a long story short, the Pharisees were a reform movement within Judaism that emphasized the observance of the law of God, right down to the last letter. Essentially, the Pharisees reduced Judaism to a list of rules to keep. But the trouble with reducing religion to mere rule-keeping is that it quickly devolves into minimalism.
Sharing love, light
February 7, 2020
A good friend and member of Youth Apostles went to Alaska for a year to serve as the director of youth ministry in a parish. He mentioned how difficult the winters are with the bitter cold temperatures and the lack of sunlight. In the dead of winter, the nights are long, the days are short and the sun never rises very high in the sky.
An end to the shadows
January 28, 2020
This Sunday happens to coincide with one of the more vibrant celebrations of the liturgical year, the feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas.
Come together
January 22, 2020
Having completed his 40-day fast in the desert and upon hearing of St. John the Baptist’s arrest, Our Lord entered Galilee to begin his public ministry.
Complete the work
January 15, 2020
Contrition for sin begins with a simple awareness — there’s a terrible chasm of difference between who I am and who I know I ought to be. Everyone with a healthy conscience knows the feeling. We think, speak or act in an inconsiderate, self-absorbed or spiteful manner and then wonder, “Where did that come from?”
Go swimming
January 9, 2020
During the Christmas season, the church wisely chooses to celebrate the baptism of the Lord. It is an event that demands a little unpacking.
Remember Joseph
December 18, 2019
This last Sunday of Advent, our Gospel presents the annunciation of the birth of the Messiah. While Luke focuses on Archangel Gabriel appearing to Mary, Matthew focuses on Joseph. And, I think for good reason. Sometimes we forget Joseph. Oftentimes he looks like a tired, old man. Or worse, he is excluded. I remember receiving a Christmas card with a portion of a famous painting: Depicted were baby Jesus, Mary, and a shepherd, and then there was an arm — poor Joseph had been cut out.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
December 18, 2019
This Sunday places before our eyes the image of the Holy Family of Nazareth, and while we might immediately leap into beautiful meditations on the virtues of that home, on the lessons of their lives, and on how we might imitate their example, we ought not miss the astonishing truth contained in the bare fact that we can celebrate this feast at all.
