Isaac's Sacrifice|Today's first reading is one of the most puzzling, and to some, disturbing, passages in the Old Testament.  Yet, its importance is attested by the fact that the Church has given it to us twice this year ...

This gospel story has much that is unusual about it; there is, for example, quite some question even about where this place actually is. As it stands in the lectionary, Jesus seems to arrive here alone or with companions ...

As a Jesuit who now lives in Nebraska, I am happy that finally Nebraska becomes the 19th state in the United States that has abolished the death penalty. However as an Indonesian citizen, I am sad because my country still ...

The psalm for today may provide the theme for all of the readings: "The salvation of the just comes from the Lord."  "Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security."  A few other ...

I've been told by my good Jesuit spiritual director that the story of Joseph is the first story in the Bible of human forgiveness.  It is good to reflect on that story today in light of the Psalm and the Gospel lessons.  ...

"We have seen the Lord!"|There are many things in life we have to "take on faith" but I don't think our faith should be one of them! Our faith needs to engage our heads and our hearts; a healthy skepticism will help us ...

Suffering is part of the human condition. Suffering is a key experience of Paul's life.|In today's reading three times Paul asks the Lord Jesus to remove a particularly bothersome suffering – a "thorn in the flesh." The ...

After pretending to do so multiple times during our discussion last week, one of my spiritual directors finally smacked my forehead. For about the fourteenth time that evening, I had taken it upon myself to determine what ...

"Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go," God tells Jacob and his descendents. And Jacob responds with a vow of faith and trust in God as he journeys through a life of uncertainty. Jacob's story is our ...

"People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved."|Was Jesus really telling ...