Our Life in Christ (Col 1:9-14; Ps 98; Lk 5:1-11) ********************************* “Since we heard of your life in Christ.” Has anyone ever said that to you? Those words of St. Paul to the Colossians in the first reading today are a strong reminder to us that we are privileged to be “living in Christ.” But […]

Faithful Ministers of Christ (Col 1:1-8; Ps 52; Lk 4:38-44) ******************************** Have you ever thought of taking Epaphras as your model for a life of faith? In the first reading, St. Paul holds him up as a beloved fellow servant and faithful minister of Christ. That means that we are invited to also be a […]

Genuine Faith and Hope versus Unbelief and Religious Rage (1 Thess 4:13-18; Ps 96; Lk 4:16-30) ************************************************************* One of the more negative traits of our modern society is road rage that often becomes violent and at times even deadly. In the gospel today, Jesus runs into religious rage that was almost fatal for him. What […]

Passivity and the Cross (Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 63; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27) ********************************************************** “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him take up his cross and follow me.” What a strange invitation from someone who is looking for followers. Certainly, it is not coming from someone who wants to be popular. Yet […]

Just Love (1 Th 4:9-11; Ps 98; Mt 25:14-30) ************************************* A customer placed an exquisite greeting card on the store counter and reached for his wallet. Pushing the keys on the cash register, the clerk said, “That will be $4 please.”  “$4,” the man reacted, “Forget it.” He jammed his wallet back into his pocket […]

Living With Lamps Lit (1 Thess 4:1-8; Ps 97; Mt 25:1-13) ************************************* Recently, after years of burning messy candles, we noticed an oil lamp sitting on a side table in our chapel. We filled it with oil, held a match to it and voila! – it lit up and has been burning brightly for us […]

Generative Discipleship – Week 21 04 (1 Thes 3:7-13; Ps 90; Rm 12:4-12; Mt 24:42-51) ************************************************** The theme you chose for this liturgy, “Rooted in Jesus – hearts to love, hands to serve” is a powerful theme that would serve you well for the whole school year. In the light of this theme and today’s […]

WEEK 12 03 Worthy Lives or Whitewashed Tombs? (Thes 2:9-13; Ps 139; Mt 23:27-32) *************************************** As it was a few days ago, the readings today are a study of contrasts. That being said, the gospel acclamation and St. Paul in the first reading come together to provide a clear message: we are to lead lives […]

Prophetic consolation and desolation (Jer 1:17-19; Ps 71; Mk 6:17-29) *********************************************** The late Fr. Andrew Britz OSB, former editor of the Prairie Messenger newspaper, was noted for his courageous editorials that addressed rather fearlessly and directly the key and often controversial issues of the day. After his death, a selection of his editorials was compiled […]

WEEK 21 01 Memorial: St. Augustine (1 Thes 1:1-10; Ps 149; Mt 23:13-22) *************************************** The problem of addicts is not that they think they are worms, nor that they think they are special. Their problem is that they think they are very special worms! This cute saying actually fits in with today’s liturgy. Usually, liturgists […]