Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year B

Today 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 Jerusalem. He receives a royal welcome, with “many people spread their cloaks on the road, …

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How Do You Look at Things?

This will be my fourth article inspired by Sam Guzman’s book, The Catholic Gentleman: Living Authentic Manhood Today (San Francisco: Ignatius Press. 2019). (For the previous articles see “Are You for Real?”, “More from “The Catholic Gentleman”, and “We Need to Stand for Something”). I hope these articles are helpful in your spiritual journey. I am enjoying writing …

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Hope, Death, and Suffering

I recently finished reading After Suicide: There’s Hope for Them and For You by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC and Br. Jason Lewis, MIC (Stockbridge, MA: Marian Press. 2019). As indicated by the title, the book is specifically written for those dealing with the suicide of someone they know. However, as the authors say, much of …

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What Was the Worst Part of Jesus’ Suffering?

Jesus underwent great suffering for us during his Passion. The gospel readings on both Palm (Passion) Sunday and Good Friday tell the story of Jesus’ suffering from his entry into Jerusalem at the start of his final days through his Crucifixion. Knowing of Jesus’ suffering is key to us understanding his love for us and …

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22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AJeremiah 20:7-9Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (2b)Romans 12:1-2Matthew 16:21-27August 30, 2020 Last week Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”. Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter gave a great answer.  He gave the right answer.  Good for him.  …

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Seeking the Lord’s Help in Suffering

I recently read a book about Franciscan Spirituality relating to our care for the environment. I am not going to focus on that topic today but I mention the book (Care for Creation by Delio, Warner, and Word, Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 2008) because it included a particular quote from St. Francis that I …

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24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – Homily

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Isaiah 50:5-9a Psalm 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (9) James 2:14-18 Mark 8:27-35 September 16, 2018 Jesus had been doing miracles, curing people and driving out demons.  He had also been preaching.  Certainly, the miracles attracted crowds but what do the people think of Jesus beyond looking for miracles? …

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5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – Homily

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Job 7:1-4, 6-7 Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (3a) 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 Mark 1:29-39 February 4, 2018 Jesus helped many people.  He healed Simon’s mother-in-law of her fever.  “He cured many who were sick with various diseases and he drove out many demons,” but is this the purpose …

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7th Sunday of Easter, Year A – Homily

7th Sunday of Easter, Year A Acts 1:12-14 Psalm 27:1, 4, 7-8 (13) 1 Peter 4:13-16 John 17:1-11a On Thursday we celebrated Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven.  This marked an important moment as the disciples saw him ascend on the cloud so that they (and us!) might all know Jesus has returned to his place in …

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