Attraction, Not Promotion (Zech 8:20-23; Ps 87; Lk 9:51-56) ***********************************   While I was in the Holy Land taking a course held at Tantur Ecumenical Institute, we were privileged to visit a Samaritan community and a Samaritan priest. He was adamant that they were the real Jews; that Abraham had come to Mt. Gerazim and […]

Memorial of the Guardian Angels (Exodus 23:20-23; Ps 91; Mt 18:1-5, 10) ****************************************** A young boy asked his parents to be alone with his newly born baby sister. The parents listened in and heard him say to his little sister, “Quick, tell me what God is really like. I’m starting to forget.” That little story, […]

Kenosis and Doing the Will of the Father (Ezekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 25; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32) A young, newly ordained missionary priest, full of energy and zeal and eager to begin ministry, was assigned to a small parish. Being by nature a “Mr. Fix-it’”, he got very involved from the start, using every idea he […]

Taking up the Cross and Living Calvary in Slow Motion (Rev 7:9-17; Ps 124; 2 Cor 4:7-15; Lk 9:23-26) ********************************************************* The feast we celebrate today is a significant feast for the Canadian Church, evidenced by the fact that there are two readings plus the Gospel. We are honoring the eight martyrs of North America who […]

Paying Attention and Listening (Ezra 1:1-6; Ps 126; Lk 8:16-18) ************************************** “To those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.” Those paradoxical words of Jesus from the gospel today can be rather puzzling to us and seem rather unfair. […]

  Live Lives Worthy of the Gospel (Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalm 145; Philippians 1:20-24, 27; Matthew 20:1-16) ********************************************************** As a young man, Tom was a landscaper in Calgary. When asked by his uncle how many men he had working for him, he replied that he had one steady employee. However, because the nature of landscaping is […]

Birthing the Kingdom (1 Tim 6:2-12; Ps 49; Lk 8:1-3) *************************************** Have you ever had the experience of a line of scripture that you have read many times before, suddenly take on a whole new meaning? That was my experience with today’s readings and the following words: “Take hold of eternal life” and “proclaiming and […]

Unity, Community and a Spirituality of Letting Go (Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Ps 19; Mt 9:9-13) ***************************************** How have you responded to the words of Jesus, “Come, follow me,” addressed to you? The readings today, on this feast of St. Matthew, offers us three interrelated suggestions on how to follow Jesus: work for unity, build community […]

  KOREAN MARTYRS Revelation, Resistance and Vindication (1 Tm 3:14-16; Ps 111; Lk 7:31-35) ************************************** Three words capture the essence of today’s readings: revelation, resistance and vindication. These three words also offer us a clear message: we are to place our complete faith in Jesus Christ and express that faith by being the Church. St. […]

Holy Compassion – St. Januarius (1 Tm 3:1-13; Ps 101; Lk 7:11-17) ********************************** Today’s readings, and liturgy honoring St. Januarius, present us with two miracles to ponder and appreciate, and a double message to absorb and live. Interestingly, the two miracles involve a body and blood. The double message is clear and simple: be holy […]