|Falling Down and Being Lifted Up|In the Nativity scenes we set up in churches and homes we are familiar with the three figures that make their appearance today, joining the figures of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds and ...

|As I am reflecting on and writing about these readings for Jan. 2 – the dawn of a new year and the dawn of a new decade – Christmas music and Christmas bustle are swirling all around me. At the same time, our nation is ...

|The liturgical season can be a roller coaster ride. We ended the liturgical year by celebrating Christ the King and then entered Advent, preparing for the birth of a newborn infant, our king and savior. The Church devotes ...

|In today's gospel, Andrew and John, two of the disciples get to know Jesus. We see them begin to follow him.  Ironically, Simon Peter is called by way of his brother Andrew.  This is a pretty good example of the power of ...

|I remember once meeting someone in my formative college years who refused to pay taxes because of his disagreements with how the government was choosing to use those funds. He claimed his retirement plan was to write a ...

|In today's gospel Jesus teaches about the scribes who are describes as those who "go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets."  Scribes ...

Today's Gospel takes place in the temple area somewhat after Jesus' triumphal arrival in Jerusalem. It is the continuation of the other Gospel readings of the week. In the previous passages, first some Pharisees and ...

The Many Sides of Love God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. (John 3: 16) Moses climbed Mount Sinai to pray.  There in a cloud stood the Lord.  The Lord assured Moses: I am mercy, kindness, and faithfulness.  ...

|Woman, behold, your son.|Behold, your mother.|For we judge people's virtue not by their sex but by their character, and we hold those to be worthy of the highest glory who have renounced both rank and wealth. It was for ...

|The words quoted by Jesus in today's gospel reading are those of the Shemá Israel (hear, Israel) [Dt. 6: 4-5] engraved in the heart of every faithful Israelite. Those words were recited every morning upon waking up and ...