Holding Fast and Standing Firm to Justice, Mercy and Faith  Memorial: St Augustine (2 Thes 2:1-3,14-17; Ps 96; Mt 23:23-26) **************************************** “Heavens glad, earth rejoices, fields exult for the Lord is coming to judge the earth.” How can this joy over being judged make sense? The answer lies in the other readings: Those who practice […]

  Love to Affirm; Courage to Correct; Faith to Praise – Memorial: St Monica (2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12; Ps 96; Mt 23:13-22) ************************************************************** As worshippers leave Holy Family Cathedral in Orange, CA, they are artistically reminded to be Be Doers of the Wordby a mural done in tiles above the entrance to the church. In […]

Wearing the Wedding Garment – Optional Memorial: St. Rose of Lima (Ezk 36:23-28; Ps 51; Mt 22:1-14) ************************************************************* Have you ever felt out of place because you were not dressed right for a particular occasion? Today’s readings invite us to put on the garments of profound repentance, deep faith and genuine love. In the gospel, […]

Eucharistic Faith and Love (Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58) ******************************************************** Do you have an unwise, fast food attitude towards your faith? Be wise: develop a deep, Eucharistic faith and live it out in love. The first reading today speaks of wisdom, and the lack of it as immaturity. This focus on wisdom […]

Chosen to Live an Iconic Ideal (Ezk 16:1-15,60,63; Is 12; Mt 19:3-12) ******************************************* A wanderer visiting Bro. Anthony noticed a beautiful manuscript in his cell. He stole it and took it to a book vendor to sell it. The vendor replied he would have to have it evaluated. Knowing only Bro. Anthony would know the […]

The Power of Forgiveness and The Power to Forgive (Ezk 12:1-16;Ps 78; Mt 18:21-19:1) *************************************************** Robert, who had a few drinks at a business event, accidently struck and injured a young girl as he was driving through an intersection. Technically it was not his fault, as the girl stepped out from behind a car in […]

Learning to Listen – Lavishing Praise (Ezk 1:2-5,24-28; Ps 148; Mt 17:22-27) ********************************** Have you ever heard God speak to you? Was your response one of praise? Today’s liturgy invites us to hone our ability to listen to God’s voice, and to respond by singing God’s praises. The truth is God is speaking to us […]

Transformative Faith (1 Kg 19:4-8; PS 34; Eph 4:30-5:2; Jn 6:41-51) ************************************************ Have you ever heard the statement, “Some people are reacting against a God they have been taught wrongly about?” Faith in Jesus can transform our lives and lead us to experience God. Thomas Keating, renowned monk and spiritual writer, claims we have it […]

Faith like a Mustard Seed – Memorial: St Clare (Hab 1:12-2:4; Ps 9; Mt 17:14-20) ********************************************** To a non-swimmer, it seems incredible that a human body could float on water. Bodies are too heavy! When one stops to think of it, it seems incredible that a 747 Jet plane loaded with passengers and luggage can […]

Feast of St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr (2 Cor 9:6-10; Ps 112; Jn 12:24-26) ********************************************** Have you ever participated in a triathelon? Today’s gospel challenges us to do just that – participate in a spiritual triathelon of three activities: be a grain of wheat that dies, lose our life to find it, and follow Jesus […]