As I reviewed the readings for today, I was struck by the theme of light.  The responsorial psalm, the alleluia, and the gospel repeat this important concept of light. I started reflecting upon all the different meanings ...

I recall as a child loving the story of Tobit and Tobiah, though I have usually had trouble  keeping the names straight.  No matter.  Perhaps it is because it is a very happy ending kind of story that I liked it so much.  ...

Easier Said Than Done Remember the saying, "I just want to crawl into a deep dark hole and die"? Maybe you have even felt so bad that you whispered it to yourself or said it to a trusted friend. Maybe even to God.  Was the ...

I used to be a music minister, so when I look at the readings, I often think about what music I would choose to sing for Mass. Today I would sing "Seek the Lord" by Roc O'Connor. The first verse is "Today is the day and ...

Pope Francis has often noted that the first words of God to the human family are from this passage where God's asks Adam, "Where are you?" Francis suggests that it is a good question for us today. Where do we find ourselves ...

The Chosen People awaited—hopefully and achingly--the coming of their Messiah.  So many hopes and dreams were riding on that longed-for day.|Not all were ready for Christ when he came, however.|Christ lamented many in the ...

The Gospel reading today has always been one that has confused me over the many times I've read it. Christ tells us he has not come "to abolish the law or the prophets." Throughout my adult life I have had to keep from ...

In celebrating Mary's immaculate heart, we celebrate her single-heartedness. Sin divides our heart  between self and God, making us no longer single-hearted, no longer immaculate of heart. But, as with any other time when ...

I have been fortunate this year and I have drawn some of my favorite biblical passages on which to reflect. I suspect that most of us remember the story of the poor widow putting in two small coins and Jesus praising her, ...

What does it mean to be blessed? According to today's Gospel message, Jesus says it means being poor in spirit, meek, merciful, persecuted, insulted or hungry—probably not the definition of blessed that I would have written ...