Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Today is a wonderful solemnity of celebrating the birth of Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, and the intertwining of their unique lives. Last month, we celebrated the story of the Visitation where John kicked in Mom Elizabeth’s womb in recognition of Jesus in Mary’s womb. Today’s feast of John the Baptist is a public holiday in several places - I was blessed to experience the cultural festivities and religious roots firsthand as a graduate student in Montreal, Quebec Canada. Falling close to the July 21st summer solstice (the longest day of the year), it marks the start of summer in the northern hemisphere, which is so fitting since John heralds the light of Jesus.
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Some think of Jesus as “otherworldly,” sort of a religious “guru” spreading good vibrations wherever he went. But Jesus’ mission was polarizing, drawing lines in the sand (sometimes literally). He opened hearts and he hardened hearts. He challenged that you were either with him or against him. Some flocked to him, others were repelled by him, still others conspired to kill him. More left him than stayed with him. According to the pass/failure grading curve of the Mediterranean world of the first century, his final mark would be an “F.”
Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
Looking back to my “growing up” years, school lessons came relatively easily to me. I didn’t have a desire to excel at sports. I was well-liked, had a good home and many friends.
When it was time to take the exam for my driver’s license, there was no doubt in my mind that I would pass. I didn’t fail at things. But, situated between those bright orange cones with an officer in the passenger seat, I hit one cone and then another. I had failed, and I would have to try again on another date.
I remember sobbing all the way home and my dad being only mildly sympathetic, probably seeing (the same thing I can now) that it was a good time for me to learn about humility and my own fallibility.
Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s superapostles!
Superapostles! Strange missionaries from unknown parts who came to Corinth with powers of persuasion far beyond those of regular apostles. Wolves in sheep’s clothing, disguised as bearers of the Gospel, wage a never ending battle for “truth,” “justice,” and the (in) correct Christian way!
Today, in his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul warns his foundling church about those so-called “superapostles.”
Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Lately I’ve been pondering what it means to be generous. How do I define generosity? How do I know if I’m being generous toward God and others? What measures or metrics can I apply to determine whether or not I’m being generous? I haven’t answered those questions for myself yet, but I have concluded that authentic generosity flows from gratitude. Put another way, gratitude becomes the fertile field from which the fruit of generosity springs. Today’s readings invite further reflection on this proposal.
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Gospel is challenging. Jesus said to his disciples, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44). It’s not hard to find enemies. We only have to read the news to find out which countries and groups are at war with each other and people who are blamed for society’s problems. We can examine our lives and see who we disagree with and which people we dislike. Jesus asks us to love all of them. I believe that he is teaching us some lessons about discipleship in this Gospel passage.
Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Whenever my grandmother would get exacerbated with us she would say in her thick Scots brogue, “I’ll give ye the back-o-me-hand.” Although she never did, as a kid I never appreciated how dire a statement that was.
In today’s reading from II Corinthians, St. Paul suggests that “the back-o-me-hand” was a common experience of the apostles, who endured “afflictions, hardships, constraints, beatings, imprisonments…”
Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Seeing the suffering in the world, and maybe our own suffering or that of our loved ones, it can be tempting to be driven to despair. Today’s reading from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians could be addressed to us here and now as encouragement. This coming from an early disciple of Jesus who suffered much more than most of us presumably ever will.
Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
The phrase “glory of the Lord” is used frequently in scripture, and I often stop and wonder what exactly these words mean. Our Responsorial Psalm proclaims “the glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.” Where is this glory and how are we called to be transformed, so we too can share this glory in our world?
Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle
“Jesus said to his disciples [and to us]: ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.’” I invite you to ponder with me today what it means that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament law and prophets and what that means for our lives. As our Catechism makes clear, “The Law has not been abolished, but rather man is invited to rediscover it in the person of his Master who is its perfect fulfillment” (CCC 2053). Today, let us rediscover God’s plan for our lives in the Living Word of God who perfects us in his love and beckons us to come, and follow him.
Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
It’s amazing what salt and light can do. If my food is bland, sprinkling salt makes that dish taste better. If I am walking in the dark, turning on a light helps me see and not stumble on things. In today’s Gospel, Jesus told his disciples that they are “the salt of the earth” and “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14). What does that mean for us today?
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
One of the boys in my classroom at St. X spoke of a time when he addressed his mother as “woman.” She was not amused. On two occasions in the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to his mother as “woman.” Was he being disrespectful?
Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
In family life, misunderstandings are common place.
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Looking for something good to read? Are you in the mood for some action, suspense, and danger? All the while being… inspired? If so, I have a story for you! So, make a cup of tea, get comfy in your favorite chair, and curl up Acts chapters 21 through 26 (blanket and fur-baby optional).
Memorial of St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
As we continue our journey through Acts, as we do every Easter season, we hear Paul announce before the Sanhedrin that he is a “Pharisee, the son of Pharisees.”
What’s up with that?
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Both of our readings today share a similar theme. In both the first reading and the Gospel, we hear a similar message shared as both Paul and Jesus prepare to leave their followers. Both speak of consecration and truth.
Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga & Companions, Martyrs
As we approach the great feast of Pentecost, we are invited to continue to listen to Jesus’ “Priestly prayer,” those reflections and prayers he uttered for his disciples at that Seder Supper that became Holy Thursday.
Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
“I have told you this that you might have peace in me. In the world you have trouble, but take courage. I have conquered the world.” - John 16:32-33
As we enjoy this final week of the Easter season and enter into the beautiful month of June, soon the comforting paraclete will arrive on Pentecost. These are joyful days. As Saint Augustine wrote, “We are Easter people and Alleluia is our song!”
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
I remember so well sitting in my pink bedroom reading the red-letter Bible that my grandmother gave me. The Bible is, of course, not only a challenging text but often just downright strange, especially for an adolescent growing up in the exurbs of Chicago whose family didn’t go to church. I was on my own when it came to the Bible.
Not surprisingly, I clung to the stories in the Old and New Testaments. Those I had a chance of understanding, albeit at a very basic level. The rest was way over my head.
And for me, the best parts of the stories were the figures who populated them. How fascinating it would be, I thought, to meet such figures and talk with them about their intriguing histories, complex motives, surprising strategies for resolving difficulties whether with other people or God, and all the various (and sometimes just mind blowing) interventions that God made in their lives.