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Saturday of the Twenty-third Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?” Those words have to be among those that cut deepest in scripture. Because we are all comfortable coming to Mass and calling on the Lord, aren’t we? We are very wont to call on the Lord for help in time…
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The Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings For those of us who would be disciples of our Lord, we have to be willing to ruthlessly destroy everything that gets in the way of our discipleship. Jesus tells us some things about discipleship today that, quite honestly, I think might make a person think twice about becoming a disciple. The first…
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The Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings Every now and then it’s a good idea to reflect on virtues. Virtues don’t get enough play in our society these days. More often, we hear of taking care of ourselves, doing whatever makes us happy, that kind of thing. The virtues definitely counsel against that kind of self-absorption, but frankly, the virtues…
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The Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings I think it’s easy to be dismayed at where the world is these days. Political candidates and politicians on both sides of the aisle are disappointing at best. The pro-abortion vitriol is vicious and hateful. Violence in our cities, schools, and public spaces is constant. Public sin and our own private sin beat…
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Saint Jane Frances de Chantal
Today we have the optional memorial of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, a wife, mother, nun and founder of a religious community. I decided to celebrate this memorial because I think her story is one that is deeply encouraging. Jane’s mother died when she was 18 years old, and her father became the influence on…
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Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Today’s readings Today Jesus extols the virtues of child-like faith. Such a faith is dependent on our God who seeks us out like a shepherd in search of a lost sheep. This is a faith that realizes that God is in charge, and that we are happiest when we let God do what he wants…
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Thursday of the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings Today’s readings speak to us about remaining in relationship with God. In the first reading, Nahum prophesies that Israel’s subjection to Nineveh will not stand. God will deliver them and watch over them, but notice the command he gives them to fulfill: Celebrate your feasts, O Judah,fulfill your vows!For nevermore shall you be…
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Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings Today’s Gospel reading is one of my favorites. Truthfully, though, it always makes me a little uncomfortable. Which is what it’s supposed to do. This Gospel wants us to get out of the boat, too. We can tend to give Saint Peter a lot of grief over this incident. If he was able…
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The Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings At first glance, it all seems so simple, doesn’t it? “Go and do likewise.” Easy enough. But when a command like “go and do likewise” comes at the end of one of Jesus’ parables, we really ought to suspect it’s going to stretch us a little bit, and today is no exception. So…
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Saturday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings I think it’s amazing to let your imagination wander to this vision that the prophet Isaiah had in today’s first reading. Looking upon God in all God’s glory would be awe-inspiring, perhaps even terrifying. Seeing that, Isaiah is inspired to do a kind of examination of conscience, where he sees how sinful and…
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