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On Saturday I found myself wondering how close we were to seeing full scale war in the Middle East. Beginning last fall I have been writing articles on the application of Just War Theory on the conflict between Israel and…
Read More3rd Sunday of Easter, Year BActs 3:13-15, 17-19Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9 (7a)1 John 2:1-5aLuke 24:35-48April 14, 2024 Peter spoke to the Jews who had heard that he has healed a crippled beggar. He said to them, “the God of…
Read MoreWhy Can’t Non-Catholics Receive Communion? To understand this practice, we must understand what it means to receive Communion. It is not just bread. It is truly Jesus we receive. We call it “Communion” because we believe that receiving it means…
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 MoreMortal Sin and Receiving Communion Why does the Catholic Church say that those who are in a state of mortal sin are not to receive Communion? This is rooted in the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, Paul speaks of unworthy…
Read MoreWe just celebrated our Easter Triduum. The Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the Priesthood. It continues with the celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ’s death. Yes, we celebrate his death. …
Read MoreEaster SundayActs 10:34a, 37-43Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 (24)Colossians 3:1-4John 20:1-9March 31, 2024 It fills my heart with joy to see the crowds at Mass on Easter. What makes today special? What draws people here? Hope! Hope in what? The tomb…
Read MoreEaster Vigil Year AGenesis 1:1-2:2Genesis 22:1-18Exodus 14:15-15:1Isaiah 55:1-11Romans 6:3-11Mark 16:1-7March 30, 2024 Tonight’s liturgy is the highest liturgy of the year. To understand the meaning of tonight’s liturgy, we must understand the symbols and rituals of this most solemn liturgy.…
Read MoreJesus’ death on the Cross was “a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23). It was a “stumbling block to Jews” because it was not what they expected or wanted. Our first reading from Isaiah today…
Read MoreMass of the Lord’s SupperExodus 12:1-89, 11-14Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-181 Corinthians 11:23-26John 13:1-15March 27, 2024 Paul speaks of what he “received from the Lord” and “handed on to” the Corinthians and others he led to the Catholic faith. He speaks…
Read MoreDo You Realize What You Are Eating? Now, we come to the point in Mass where we receive Communion. Every time we receive Communion, we need to be thinking about what we are consuming. It is not just bread and…
Read MoreAs I said in my reflection on Sunday, Pilate, as the local government official, allowed Jesus to be crucified “to satisfy the crowd.” He offered to release Jesus as it was his custom to release one prisoner on this feast. …
Read MoreToday we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, more simply known to many as “Palm Sunday.” We hear two gospels today. We begin Mass with the blessing of palms and a gospel recalling Jesus’ final entry into…
Read MoreI am Not Worthy to Receive You Following the Sign of Peace, we come to the Lamb of God. The words said by the priest, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world,”…
Read MoreDo you ever feel like people aren’t really listening to what you have to say? You try to present your perspective but you feel you either they weren’t listening or you must have not explained it well. We might do…
Read More5th Sunday of Lent, Year BJeremiah 31:31-34Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15 (12a)Hebrews 5:7-9John 12:20-33March 17, 2024 “The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” God…
Read MoreThe Sign of Peace Having celebrated the Sacrifice of Jesus in the Eucharist, after praying the Lord’s Prayer, we offer a Sign of Peace. On several occasions Jesus offered peace to his disciples. The words said by the priest here…
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…
Read MoreI completed my presentation, Why Should I Go to Mass (Weekly)?, last night. This video isn’t just for people who don’t go to Mass. It will help you reflect on why it is important to go to Mass. You can…
Read MoreThe Hidden Depths of the Mass #31The Lord’s Prayer Every time Mass is celebrated we all join together in saying the Lord’s Prayer. Why include it at Mass? The whole of Mass comes from the Lord and is rooted in…
Read MoreLast week I wrote about the hope I saw in the Alabama State Supreme Court’s decision that “embryos are children” (“There is Hope in Alabama”). Unfortunately, it is becoming clear that many people do not get the significance of the…
Read More3rd Sunday of Lent, Year BExodus 20:1-17Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 12 (John 6:68c)1 Corinthians 1:22-25John 2:13-25March 3, 2024 At times, Paul tells us that as Christians we are not under the Law. Rather, we are under the Spirit. This does…
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