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A few days ago, I began a short series of articles on the use of music at Mass. The first article, “Why We Sing at Mass”, addressed why we sing at Mass. Now, I turn to the question of who…
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 MoreIn my last article, “Using What You Have Been Given”, I mentioned that the parishes I serve have been undergoing a process to plan for the future. Included in this process were two listening sessions. In parish life, when comments…
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 MoreIn the Office of Readings for last Friday (3rd Week of Lent) the first reading was Exodus 35:30 – 36:1, 37:1-9. These verses help form the core of God’s instructions to build the Ark and the Tabernacle. It struck me…
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 MorePlease note that while this article can be read on its own, its deepest meaning is found when it is read in conjunction with two previous articles, “What Is Need in the World” and “A Heart for Love,” These articles…
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 MoreLast week I wrote “What Is Need in the World” as my reflection on the first portion of Pope Francis’ recent encyclical, Dilexit Nos (October 24, 2024). Today I would like to continue to offer my own reflection on what…
Read More2nd Sunday of Lent, Year CGenesis 15:5-12, 17-18Psalm 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14 (1a)Philippians 3:17-4:1Luke 9:28b-36March 16, 2025 The Bible is the story of Salvation History. It is the story of hope for it is the story of God’s love for…
Read MoreIn my most recent blog articles, “The Quest for Peace” Part I and Part II, I discussed how we are all looking for peace, but not just peace that is the absence of violence. People, whether they know it or…
Read More1st Sunday of Lent, Year C – ReflectionDeuteronomy 26:4-10Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 (see 15b)Romans 10:8-13Luke 4:1-13March 9, 2025 When famine came, Jacob moved his family to Egypt where Joseph had built up large stores of grain. There, his family…
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 MoreLast week I discussed what peace is and what it is not in Part I of The Quest for Peace. We seek peace, the peace that is a fruit of Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We need to let the Holy…
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 MoreYesterday was the third anniversary of the beginning on Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. What we want, what we need is peace. Whether everyone knows it or not, we are all on a quest for peace. War, violence, and terrorism is…
Read More7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C – Reflection1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13 (8a)1 Corinthians 15:45-49Luke 6:27-38February 23, 2025 Saul was envious of David. Saul was king but David received more praise. In his…
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 MoreIn the last few days at daily Mass we heard the story of Creation from the Book of Genesis, followed by the story of the first sin, original sin, by Adam and Eve. We heard of the punishment prescribed by…
Read MoreIsaiah’s service as our Lord’s prophet started with an encounter with the Lord (as told in today’s first reading). He “saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne.” How would encountering the Lord in this way affect you?…
Read MoreWe’ve probably all said something in a hasty response that we later wished we could take back. We do well to ask ourselves if we think before we speak. You might be thinking of someone you know that you think…
Read MoreThe Presentation of the LordMalachi 3:1-4Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 (8)Hebrews 2:14-18Luke 2:22-40February 2, 2025 Today is 40 days since Christmas. After 40 days a Jewish mother who had given birth would undergo purification rituals. At this time, Mary and…
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