Redemptive Suffering and the Test (Sir 48:1-14; Ps 97; Mt 6:7-15) *************************************** Elijah continues to be the focus of the first reading in today’s liturgy. In this passage, we hear about him as an epic hero from the point of view of another Old Testament author – Sirach, extolling his praises. His role and the […]

Three Ascetical Practices (2 Kg 2:1,6-14; Ps 31; Mt 6:1-6; 16-18 ****************************************** Does the word “asceticism” sound attractive to you? The readings today invite us to practice three ascetical traditions in the Church as a way of humbly living out our faith and the Great Commandment of Jesus, as well as meeting our deepest human […]

(1 Kg 21:17-29; 51; Mt 5:43-48) ********************************** The readings today are like a two-act play, conveying the message to love others as Jesus has loved us, by being as merciful as the Father is merciful. Elijah and King Ahab in the first reading mirror the events with Nabob and King David, after David also committed […]

We Walk by Faith (Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalm 92; 2 Cor 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34) ****************************************************** What is the Kingdom of God? What are signs of the kingdom in our community? How can we nourish God’s kingdom here and now? These are good questions to ask as we continue Ordinary time, after the Easter season, Pentecost, the […]

Entering the Reign of God (1 Kg 18:41-46; Ps 65; Mt 5:20-26) **************************************  “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” This is a rather stark declaration by Jesus in today’s gospel. What are we to make of it? Certainly, we […]

Faith in Jesus and Praying with Faith – Memorial: St. Anthony of Padua (1 Kg 18:20-39; Ps 16; Mt 5:17-19) ************************************************************** The readings and this memorial of St. Anthony of Padua today invite us to choose Jesus, reject false gods and pray to Jesus with complete trust, like Elijah. One of the sites we visited […]

“Be Salt of the Earth; Light of the World” (1 Kgs 17:7-16; Ps 4; Mt 5:13-16) ******************************************* Have you ever heard the expression, “She or he is worth his or her salt?” That saying probably comes from the value of salt as currency in the ancient world – people were sometimes paid in salt. Perhaps […]

Returning to our Roots of Faith (Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3; Ps 98; Mt 10:7-13) *************************************** The readings today, and this memorial of St. Barnabas, brings to mind a four-year renewal process we developed in our Archdiocese of Keewatin-The Pas years ago that was designed to involve everyone in the archdiocese. Based on Acts 2:42, we entitled […]

On Doing the Will of God (Gen 3:8-15; Ps 130; 2 Cor 4:13-5:1; Mk 3:20-35) *********************************************** The story of the fall of our first parents in the first reading brings to mind the following anecdote: a woman told her husband she was going window-shopping and promised him she would not buy anything. She returned with […]

Love and Do What You Will (2 Tim 2:8-16; Ps 24; Mk 12:28-34) ********************************** How well are you able to love yourself? Are you struggling with low self-worth? Do you realize you might be daily breaking one of the commandments of Jesus? The way out is to listen to today’s psalm and learn the way […]