Friday after Ash Wednesday
The prophet Isaiah lets us know fairly clearly what kind of fasting God is desiring from us. And it does not involve bowing our heads “like a reed” and lying in sackcloth and ashes. Although, on Wednesday, beginning the season of Lent, the Church called us to bow our heads in prayer, fast and abstain from meat, and receive ashes in the sign of the cross on our foreheads. We also heard then from Matthew’s gospel on how to pray, fast, and give alms in secret, to not make a show of it. And now today’s reading from Isaiah offers us a different kind of “fasting” that God truly desires from us, in many ways more challenging, but also rewarding.
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Gregory Norbet, a former Benedictine monk at Weston Priory in Vermont, composes music “to introduce a sense of God’s peace and help impart the strength needed to meet life’s challenges.” As we begin our Lenten journey, let us reflect on his words in his hymn “Hosea” more closely.
Ash Wednesday
Welcome to Lent! I pray this season proves to be a deeply formative time in your spiritual journey and for our parish family. As I pray through today’s readings, I find these key action verbs: return (to the Lord), rend (your hearts), be reconciled (to God), give alms, pray, fast. As we reflect on these scriptures, let us ask ourselves: in what areas have I strayed from God? What sin do I recognize in my life, and can I “rend my heart” in contrition? In what way(s) do I need to be reconciled to God? Will I take seriously God’s invitation to give alms, pray, and fast sacrificially? Let us take stock also of where we find ourselves on our spiritual pilgrimage. Are we on course? Have we strayed off the path into the bushes? During his homily at last year’s Ash Wednesday Mass, Pope Francis called Christians to slow down in our fast-paced and often directionless lives and to experience Lent as a wake-up call for the soul. I find our Pope’s points to be a very helpful way in which to focus this reflection.
Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time
Tomorrow Lent begins. Today, Shrove Tuesday or Marti Gras, the Church has given us a powerful reading from James to kick off this penitential season. We begin with the question, “…where do the conflicts among you come from?” This question can inform each of our individual Lenten observances this year. What’s at the root of the conflicts between you and others? What habit, disposition, memory, or belief feeds the conflict? What are we holding onto so tightly that we wish to fight about it?
Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
“Was that wise or foolish?” Those words come out of my mouth several times a week as I talk to my children about the choices they have made. I want to use biblical language that they will be able to connect with when they themselves take up the Scriptures as they get older. I also want to use words that have greater emotional, spiritual, and psychological depth. I don’t know why “smart” doesn’t seem to contain that as much for me, but today’s first reading aligns perfectly with what I’m trying to cultivate in my children. Here James sets forth not a definition of wisdom, but a rubric by which we can seek wisdom and specifically heavenly wisdom.
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
I have recently found myself praying a lot about what comes next - what’s after this life here on earth? I hope and believe that there is salvation to be had - that we are to be united with Christ in his heavenly kingdom. And then I find myself dwelling on the salvation of my children. Laying in bed on Wednesday night, trying to sleep, I found myself pondering how best to guide my children towards a relationship with God and with Jesus - how best to lead them to salvation. I journaled about my questions, I talked to God about it but I admit I still felt unsettled and was still wrestling with questions of how to best meet the spiritual (and physical and social and emotional) needs of all 4 of my children, when I woke up on Thursday.
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Peanut butter and jelly, thunder and lightning, macaroni and cheese, Bert and Ernie, movies and popcorn, grilled cheese and tomato soup...it’s difficult to have one without the other--some might say impossible. These pairs exemplify powerful relationships that have been forged over time and etched into the fabric of our society (or at least our taste buds). Our first reading today expounds upon another relationship with far greater implications to our salvation: faith and works. We are asked, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” (Jas 2:14) Is it enough to merely believe in One God, the Father Almighty, etc. as we recite together at mass each week in the Nicene Creed? Does our acknowledgment of God’s existence suffice? Is it okay to go through the motions? Today, we get a resounding ‘NO!’--“faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (Jas 2:17).
Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
As Christians, we have to own it. We have to be able to say that we worship a very strange God. He’s the one who sought out lepers and unclean women and orphans and criminals. He’s the one who defied the rulers of the day to such an extent that they had to make an example of him. They didn’t just put him to death. They did so in the worst possible way. This is the guy we worship.
Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
As I reflected on today’s first reading from St. James, Simon & Garfunkle’s epic song, The Sound of Silence came to me. Paul Simon offers a prophetic commentary on our society’s ability to listen – to listen to one another, to our inner wisdom, and to the cry of the poor. This songwriter invites us into the silence; the only space in which to truly listen. St. James calls us into this space, where listening transcends hearing and the Word is made flesh within us.
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
It happened again yesterday. My grocery list was clear. Somethings listed were given extra detail like found in a can. Clarity above and beyond, yet I still came home with two things on the list that I thought met the bill. Instead, I overlooked the details and now find myself going back to the store to get the correct product. What made matters worse was my wife had even shown me the product before I left the house.
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Have you ever been so disappointed or exasperated all you could do was just sigh?
Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
A recent meal with 10 strangers around a common table in the home of an Argentinean couple came to mind when I read today’s gospel reading. Jesus recognizes the significance of food, and He also understands sharing food can be a means to bring unity and blessings. Through the sharing of food and all of our gifts, the reading today reminds us that God calls us to share our gifts with all people, so God’s love will be made known to the world.
Memorial of Saints Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop
Have you ever wondered what God’s voice sounds like? Or you may have wondered, like me, what Jesus’ voice sounded like when he spoke and sang (surely he must have sung not only as a child, but as a mature, Jewish man). Would he have been more of a tenor, baritone or bass? When he spoke, what was it like? When he groaned as in today’s gospel story, and commanded “Ephphatha!” to the deaf man, “Be opened!”, what did it sound like?
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Fostering independence in my children can often be a daunting task. I can vividly remember how impatient I would become when my kids would insist on buckling themselves into their car seat… usually when I was running late! It was in these moments that I reminded myself that fostering independence was ultimately what I wanted for my children. Intervening too quickly to resolve their conflicts prevented them from learning. I may have been late to wherever I was heading, but witnessing the joy of their success after exhibiting a lot of persistence, reminded me how important this is as they continue to learn and grow. As adults, we also become better individuals when we learn and grow through difficult moments in our lives.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims to the crowds that the Kingdom he ushers in does not involve a ritual religiosity. The Mosaic Law prescribed strict dietary restrictions around how to clean utensils, how to wash oneself in order to be ceremonially clean, and what foods were considered acceptable and forbidden. In order to maintain one’s ritual purity, a devout person had to avoid any type of uncleanness. Here in Mark, Jesus counters accusations leveled at him; the religious leaders and many questioned his legitimacy when they observed him and his disciples behaving in ways that seemed counter to the Law. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared his mission related to the Law, Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes one specific example of how the Law is fulfilled in a faithful disciple. Fulfillment comes, not from avoiding defilement by adhering to ritual, but by purifying one’s heart. God looks at a person’s heart, not at their outward behavior. Any of us can act pious, our inner condition is what truly defines us and our discipleship.
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Psalmist describes how great it is to spend time in the Temple, praising and singing to God. Almost a thousand years later in today’s gospel reading, Jesus criticizes what the practice of faith has become for many: a set of actions without meaning. We in the Church are also at risk for the same sin. We have a rich tradition with some required practices and many available devotionals, prayers, and blessings of all kinds. They were designed by the Holy Spirit, Saints, and our spiritual leaders to incarnate what we believe: God is loving, just, and merciful. Jesus wants us to be transformed by the Paschal Mystery, to be dead to sin and alive in the good works of Christ. Unfortunately, it’s easy to practice without true focus on a holy life. We can come to Mass every week and miss the grace the Spirit offers through that Holy Sacrifice. We can write a small check to a charity while spending thousands on luxuries for ourselves. We can pray a rote thanksgiving prayer at mealtime and forget that we receive all good things not through our strength, but through God’s generosity.
Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin
Have you ever had the experience where you saw or met a famous person-maybe a famous sports star, movie star or some important political figure? My niece who lives in NYC said that one time at a spinning class, Kelly Ripa was on the bike right next to her. When I think about these possible chance meetings, I wonder if I would actually recognize these famous personalities. The fact that I probably have seen their pictures on the TV, movie screen, magazines or newspaper makes it easier, and I probably may even recognize their voice from hearing them speak on one of the many mediums that news is shared. This idea was brought to mind when I read today’s gospel reading and was struck by the phrase the people “immediately recognized” Jesus. Without TV, internet, movies, books, newspapers or any other form of technology these people who never had seen Jesus before recognized Him. This reading helps me to reflect on the importance of “recognizing” Christ in my life. When I recognize Him, I can go to Him and experience His love and mercy. I can also bring others to Christ, so they too may know His healing presence.
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile,” Jesus says to his apostles in today’s gospel reading (Mk 6:31). The apostles, we are told, have returned from healing the sick, expelling demons, and preaching the kingdom of God. Further, they have all, presumably, just heard the news of John the Baptist’s beheading by Herod. This is a lot!
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, we reflect on the beheading of John the Baptist. The scriptural footnotes on the USCCB website offer an enlightening observation on the similarities between the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist and the passion of Jesus:
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs
There is a part of me that wishes so badly that I had lived in Jesus’ time and had had the chance to follow him. To sit at the feet of THE teacher? That would have been incredible. But as heady as that experience would have been, the word from Jesus today would have been something of a challenge (to say the least).