Awakening to God’s Power Within Us (Eph 3:13-21; Ps 33; Lk 12:49-53) ******************************************* During a retreat I was conducting for the priests of the Diocese of Corner Brook-Labrador in Cow Head, Newfoundland, I enjoyed walking the beach at low tide. Being a westerner, that phenomenon was new to me. One day as I walked, I […]

Live the Mystery of Faith as Servants of the Gospel – Trust, Thank and Tell Optional Memorial: St. Anthony Mary Claret (Eph 3:1-12; Is 12:2-6; Lk 12:39-48) ***************************************************************** “Life is mystery to be lived, not problem to be solved.” The readings today invite us to live the mystery of faith as servants of the Gospel […]

Temples of a Living God: St John of Capistrano (Eph 2:12-22; Ps 85; Lk 12:35-38) *************************************************** The late Serge LeClerc was a motivational speaker who gave a keynote presentation at a Catholic Health Conference in Saskatoon years ago. He was born in Winnipeg of a single Indigenous addicted mother considered unfit by the Social Services […]

Faithful Grace and Grateful Ministry – St. Pope John Paul II (Eph 2:1-10; Ps 100; Lk 12:13-21) *********************************************** “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” The Word Among Us serves as an initial resource for this reflection. It states that Jesus has just spoken at length to a large crowd about the […]

Called to Give Our Life Away (Isaiah 53:4, 10-11; Ps 33; Heb 4:14-16; Mk 10:39-45) ************************************************** “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” That statement of Jesus from the gospel captures the essence of the readings today: as his […]

Enjoying our Inheritance – Anniversary edition (Eph 1:11-14; Ps 33; Lk 12:1-7) ********************************************** Are you aware of what your inheritance will be? The readings today invite us into a deeper appreciation of our spiritual inheritance – the kingdom of God – and how we can live out that inheritance with faith and love. St. Paul, […]

Memorial – St Theresa of Avila (Ga 4:22-31; Ps 113; Lk 11:29-32) ************************************* What do you think Jesus meant when he responded to the request for a sign by referring to the sign of Jonah? And claiming there was something greater than Jonah here? Signs are important – they direct us to our goal. The […]

Be Wise; Follow Jesus and Live His Word (Wis 7:7-11; Psalm 90; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30) *************************************************** When the late Paulo Ehle OMI returned from ministering in Brazil for a visit, I apologized for not staying more in touch with him. He replied simply, “The Portugese have a saying: ‘What you spend your time and […]

Hearing and Keeping the Word (Ga 3:22-29; Ps 105; Lk 11:27-28) ********************************************** In a way, all three readings today are about the Word of God. The first reading has a unique way of saying all of Creation is under the bondage of original sin – “scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin.” […]

Holding Nothing Back (Gal 3:6-14; Ps 111; Lk 11:15-26) ******************************************* “After Jesus had cast out a demon…” This Gospel passage seems to refer to Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus had cast seven demons. Visionary Ann Catherine Emerich claims after Jesus had converted Mary, she relapsed and her last condition was worse than the first. […]