Mercy
This past weekend there was the shooting of soldiers in Syria, a shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island, and a shooting at a Jewish celebration in Australia. Clearly, this was not a good weekend. In this article, I offer…
Read MoreThis 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 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 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 More17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CGenesis 18:20-32Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7. 7-8 (3a)Colossians 2:12-14Luke 11:1-13July 27, 2025 Jesus teaches us how to pray. When we pray, what do we ask for? Jesus says, “What father among you would hand his…
Read MoreLast Tuesday I posted the first of three articles on the death penalty, “Considerations on the Death Penalty.” Then, last Thursday I posted the second article, “A Letter to a Victim’s Family.” Today’s article is writing as a letter to…
Read MoreOn Tuesday I posted “Considerations on the Death Penalty” as an introduction to the “letters” I have written concerning the death penalty. It is important that you read “Considerations on the Death Penalty” before you read what follows below to…
Read MoreLife is a gift. As we read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the…
Read More7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CActs 7:55-60Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9 (1a, 9a)Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20John 17:20-26June 1, 2025 Jesus knows He is about to be arrested. He knows He will be beaten, mocked, scourged, and crucified. Knowing this, He…
Read MoreI recently read Monsignor Charles Pope’s new book, The Hell There Is (Gastonia, NC: TAN Books. 2025). If you believe that Hell does exist but that hardly anyone ends up there, you should read this book. If you believe there…
Read MoreLast week the Diocese of Rochester held its annual priest/parish administrator convocation. Among the topics covered by the speakers was the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the lack of full understanding of the Sacrament. From that and my own further reflection…
Read More2nd Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy, Year CActs 5:12-16Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 (1)Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19John 20:19-31April 27, 2025 After the Crucifixion of Jesus, his disciples gathered in a locked room “for fear of the Jews.” Knowing their fear,…
Read MorePalm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year CLuke 19:28-40Isaiah 50:4-7Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 (2a)Philippians 2:6-11Luke 22:14-23:56April 13, 2025 Jesus’ hour had come and so He “took his place.” It was time to celebrate the Passover but this…
Read More5th Sunday of Lent, Year C – ReflectionIsaiah 43:16-21Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (3)Philippians 3:8-14John 8:1-11April 6, 2025 Once again, we hear that Jesus is teaching. Teaching for him is not simply lecture. He uses the situations that come before…
Read More4th Sunday of Lent, Year CJoshua 5:9a, 10-12Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (9a)2 Corinthians 5:17-21Luke 15:1-3, 11-32March 30, 2025 “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth.” These are the words of the…
Read More3rd Sunday of Lent, Year C – ReflectionExodus 3:1-8a,13-15Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 607, 8, 11 (8a)1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12Luke 13:1-9March 23, 2025 Last week we heard the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. In my homily, I spoke of ways in which we…
Read MoreAsh WednesdayJoel 2:12-18Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 114 and 17 (3a)2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18March 5, 2025 What brings you to church today? One might come because you think you are supposed to come. You should come today but attendance today…
Read MoreEighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CSirach 27:4-7Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 (see 2a)1 Corinthians 15:54-58Luke 6:39-45March 2, 2025 Lent starts in a few days. Have you given much thought to what you will do for Lent? Our readings today are…
Read MoreAs I prayed the Office of Readings for Saturday Week I recently, I was struck by the following verses in the first reading, “Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that…
Read MoreLast fall I read Pope Francis’ new encyclical Dilexit Nos on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I found the document thoughtful but it left me with questions as I am not familiar with the details of the Sacred Heart Devotion. …
Read MoreToday I would like to take a look at how our readings on this Divine Mercy Sunday contrast to the way the world looks at life. Our reading from the Acts of the Apostles speaks of how the early church…
Read MoreLast week we hear God giving the Ten Commandments to his people (Exodus 20:1-17). God made it clear to his people how He expected them to live. It’s not just what He wanted. God knows that the Ten Commandments are good…
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