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The Triumph of the Holy Cross
Today’s readings Bishop Robert Barron tells about an interreligious dialogue between Catholics and Buddhists. At one point, one of the Buddhists said to him, “Why is that obscene image on every wall in your buildings?” He was, of course, referring to the Crucifix. The Buddhist explained that it would be considered a mockery in his…
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Saint John Chrysostom
Saint John Chrysostom was known to be a prolific, well-spoken and challenging preacher. The name “Chrysostom” means “golden-mouthed.” He spoke eloquently of the Scriptures, of which he had an extensive understanding, and applied their words to the times of his day. He was known, actually, to often preach for two hours or more! So, in…
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The Anniversary of the 9-11-01 Tragedy
Today’s readings Seventeen years ago today, I sat in my room at seminary waiting for my first class to begin. My classmates were already in their first classes; I had taken that particular class in college, so I didn’t have to take it again in seminary. While I waited for class to begin, I flipped…
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The Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings Jesus’ ministry on earth was all about healing. In today’s gospel, he heals a man who has been deaf and mute with the word of command: “Ephphatha!” – “Be opened!” I have talked about this kind of thing before. The healing is not here simply for us to say, “how nice for that deaf and…
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Thursday of the Twenty-second Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings You may have heard the saying that “If you want to hear God laugh, just tell him your plans.” It’s so easy for us in our arrogance to think we have everything all figured out. And then maybe God taps us on the shoulder, or whispers into our ear, and sends us in…
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Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings The presence of God, in some ways, is quite often really unwelcome, at least to those who have made their own gods. Saint Paul urges the Corinthians in today’s first reading to be good discerners of this reality; to turn away from the spirit of the world so that they can turn toward…
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The Twenty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings So often, when someone thanks us for something, we might say, “It’s the least I could do.” As if it were some kind of badge of achievement to do the least thing possible. I think it’s human nature to try to do as little as possible, without being perceived as lazy or something.…
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Friday of the Twenty-first Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings I’m sure you’ve had the experience, when you were talking to someone, that you felt like you weren’t both having the same conversation. Or, even though you were both speaking English, you weren’t talking the same language. Sometimes that happens: you think you’re both talking about the same thing, but very clearly, one…
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Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
You’ve probably heard the saying that youth is wasted on the young. I think Saint Augustine might painfully agree with that sentiment. He was a man who thought he had everything figured out at a young age. He was prideful, caught up in the world’s pleasures and focused solely on what could be learned from…
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The Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time – Bread of Life Discourse V: So What?
Today’s readings “So what?” That’s perhaps the most important question of the spiritual life. Maybe it’s even the most important question of life, period. Because after we have all taken time to absorb the information around us, after we have learned all that we have been taught, we have to decide what, if anything, that…
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