The Freshness of Our Faith (Ga 2:1-2,7-14; Ps 117; Lk 11:1-4) *********************************** The movie Risen imparts to the viewer a glimpse of the freshness and hopeful newness the resurrection of Jesus brought to the early disciples, and to the whole world eventually. Lines spoken in the movie like “He is everywhere!” “Love is our only weapon,” […]

Our Choice: Dopamine or Jesus? (Gal 1:13-34; Ps 139; Lk 10:38-42) ************************************** “There is nothing we humans crave more, fear more, and fumble more than intimacy.” This statement by David Hassell S.J., author of Dark Intimacy, provides the context for today’s readings. As human beings, we all have a double yearning: for intimacy, and for […]

Grateful for Everything (Col 3:12-17; Ps 113; Mt 7:7-12) ******************************************** Years ago, a comment made by a monk I overheard passing by a television set caught my attention and stayed with me ever since: “A grateful person is a happy person.” That comment aligns closely with another statement that came my way: “If, at the […]

God’s Wildest Dream Gen 2:7-8, 18-24; Psalm 128; Heb 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16) ********************************************************* A little boy opened the big family Bible and leafed through the pages. When he saw an old leaf pressed in between the pages, he called out to his mother, “Mom, look what I found.” When she asked what, he replied with […]

Discipleship: A Test of Faith – Memorial: St Francis of Assisi (Job 19:21-27; Ps 27; Lk 10:1-12) ***************************************************** A priest who was addressing his sermon on Jesus especially to the kids in the congregation, started by describing an imaginary special person who was very kind, good, loved all people and helped everybody, etc. As he […]

Following Jesus into the Kingdom (Job 9:1-16; Ps 88; Lk 9:57-62) ************************************* The kingdom of God, discipleship, priorities, sacrifice, witness, redemptive suffering and prayer are a sequence of themes making up the readings today. The kingdom of God is the underlying reality of the gospel, revealing again the main focus and interest of Jesus in […]

Humble Trust: 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 like. I’m starting to forget.” That little […]

Humble Faith and Redemptive Suffering: Memorial – St Therese of Lisieux (Job 1:6-22; Ps 17; Luke 9:46-50) ************************************************ “An argument arose among the disciples as to which one of them was the greatest.” How fitting that line should be found in the gospel for today when we honor a young saint who popularized just the […]

Entering the Kingdom of God (Num 11:16-17, 25-29; Psalm 19; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48) ************************************************************ If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out! If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off! My brothers and sisters, seek first the Kingdom of God. In the gospel today, Jesus uses very strong […]

Known and Loved – Like Nathanael (Rev 12:7-12; Ps 138; Jn 1:47-51) ******************************************************* Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to be one of the apostles and meet Jesus in person? Today’s feast of the Archangels and the gospel encounter of Nathaniel with Jesus invite us to be like him – known […]