Today’s readings “He is out of his mind.” Well that’s a fine way for relatives to receive a person, especially Jesus. But maybe everyone has relatives with whom they don’t see eye-to-eye. People who, it would seem, should know us best, often misunderstand us. But the story of Jesus’ life is that his family isn’t…

Today’s readings There is something about this Gospel reading that I think makes us feel a little breathless, a little claustrophobic even. Jesus really had to love human contact in order to keep on going when he was pressed in on every side. He really loved people, and had great compassion for them. Knowing the…

Today’s readings It must have been frustrating, I think, for Jesus to see how the people who should be getting religion right to so often get it wrong. The Pharisees – those men who were so intent on the careful observance of every obligation of the law – were always questioning things the wrong way.…

Today’s readings My niece is now eight years old, going on thirty. But back when she was little, she knew how to wrap Uncle Patrick around her little finger. I remember one time when we were out at the mall, she said something like, “If you want, you can buy me a cookie.” It reminded…

Today’s readings All of our world experiences the phenomenon of being in the “already” but also in the “not yet.” For instance, think of the trees in wintertime. So many of them are fully grown and reach longingly toward heaven. But because it’s winter, they are barren of leaves. There is the promise of great…