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This is the second half of a reflection on the Letter of James. You can read the first part, including why I wrote this reflection, at https://renewaloffaith.org/faith-in-action/. Chapter 2 of the Letter of James shows that if we faith, we will do good works. Our works serve as evidence of our faith. …
Read More1st Sunday of Advent, Year A Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44 November 30, 2025 The birth of Jesus Christ began something new, our salvation. It was his first coming. Recognizing the new beginning brought in Jesus’ birth, today we begin a new year in the…
Read MoreThanksgiving Day Sirach 50:22-24 Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Luke 17:11-19 November 27, 2025 On our liturgical calendar today is the Thursday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time. In our United States of America, it is Thanksgiving Day. It is a secular…
Read MoreLast Thursday I felt inspired with the thought of writing an article regarding the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. At that point I did not have any detailed thoughts. It was just a general idea. That was fine with me as I had a few days before…
Read MoreOur Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe2 Samuel 5:1-3Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5 (see 1)Colossians 1:12-20Luke 23:35-43November 23, 2025 God has always led his people. The Israelites wanted a king like every other nation had (1 Samuel 8:1-9). God warned…
Read More33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Malachi 3:19-20a Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 (see 9) 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19 November 16, 2025 Jesus speaks of “how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings.” There was a beauty to the temple. God’s temple should be beautiful as his dwelling place but our salvation is…
Read MoreToday is Veteran’s Day. I would like to thank our veterans for their service. Those who have read what I have written about just war theory, especially the wars between Israel and Hamas and Ukraine and Russia, might be surprised to hear me thank veterans. I am not against the military. I am…
Read MoreFeast of the Dedication of the Lateran BasilicaEzekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 (5)1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17John 2:13-22November 9, 2025 On each day of the secular calendar there are memorials and feasts that are celebrated. Generally, when they fall…
Read MoreFrom October 22nd – 30th, the parishes I serve (St. Mary’s of the Lake and St. Benedict’s) prayed the Respect Life Novena from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) after daily Masses. Generally, some parishioners lead it but the leaders were not present one day. In their absence, they…
Read MoreOur federal government remains in partial shutdown since October 1st because of the inability of our elected representatives to agree on a budget. At times I want to write to Congress and the President to express my dissatisfaction with them. Members of each political party blame the…
Read MoreAll Souls’ DayWisdom 3:1-9Psalm 25:6, 7b, 17-18, 20-21 (1) or (3a)Romans 8:14-23Luke 7:11-17November 2, 2025 Please note that for All Souls’ Day there are a number of options for readings. Therefore, you may have heard different readings at the Mass…
Read MoreAs I looked through the news headlines this weekend for a topic to write about in today’s article, I couldn’t help but think, as is frequently the case, there are a lot of bad things in the news. Of course, this doesn’t surprise us. It’s why some people don’t watch the news. They find the news…
Read More30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CSirach 35:12-14, 16-1Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 (7a)2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18Luke 18:9-14October 26, 2025 How do you approach Jesus in prayer? How do you look at yourself? Are you convinced of your own righteousness? …
Read MoreOn Sunday I offered a reflection on the first reading and the gospel (29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C). In Ordinary Time, the second reading is chosen independent of the theme that is common to the first reading and the gospel second reading. This often…
Read More29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CExodus 17:8-13Psalm 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (see 2)2 Timothy 3:14-4:2Luke 18:1-8October 19, 2025 The Israelites were attacked by Amalek. The Israelites did not start the war. Their response was a defensive action and it…
Read MoreIn the last week I have taught both our OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, formerly known as RCIA) participants and our family formation participants about our liturgical year in the Catholic Church. You can find an article, “The…
Read More27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CHabakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8)2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14Luke 17:5-10October 5, 2025 The prophet Habakkuk is lamenting the way things are for the Israelites. He has good reason to lament as they are…
Read MoreThere was another shooting in a church last Sunday. This time it was a Church of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) in Michigan. Current reports indicate the shooter hated Mormons. We need to stop the hate. There is too much hate. It…
Read MoreWe are fighting a battle in the world today. The enemy in this battle is not Israel, Hamas, Russia or Ukraine. It is not an opposing political party or Islam. The enemy we need to be most concerned with is…
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