A few years ago Pope Francis decreed that the Monday after Pentecost would be celebrated as the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. That’s today (5/29/23). Our first reading today comes from Genesis right after Adam and Eve commit the first sin, the original sin. It was the first sin but …
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Some people see work only as something they have to do to make money so they can do what they really want. In this thinking, work might be described as a “necessary evil.” Our Catholic faith gives us a different view of work. At the end of the first story of creation (Genesis 1:1-2:3), we …
In my homily this Sunday I included what is going on in the Ukraine as among the tribulations we face in the world today. Now I would like to offer some preliminary thoughts on Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. I stress what follows are my preliminary thoughts as it is still less than one week …
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28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year BWisdom 7:7-11Psalm 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 (14)Hebrews 4:12-13Mark 10:17-30October 10, 2021 A man asked Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” This is a question we all probably want to know the answer for, at least I assume since you come for Mass that you want …
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Various states are passing laws supporting life in the womb. Life is a precious gift that begins at conception. This is not simply something I believe in faith. In my article, “Biology Makes Me Pro-Life”, I provide a non-religious reason for knowing that life begins at conception. Life is a precious gift. Last spring I …
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year BIsaiah 35:4-7aPsalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 (1b)James 2:1-5Mark 7:31-37September 3, 2021 “Thus says the LORD: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!” Fear can be a powerful thing. Fear can dictate our actions. What are you afraid of? How does your fear effect your choices? Fear …
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Last night I offered the fourth and final webinar in my series, Treating Life with Dignity and Love, covering Catholic Pro-Life teaching. You can view the video and see the slides at www.renewaloffaith.org/prolife4. For the next couple of days, you can complete an online evaluation of the webinar at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfl8V98K4fn1mDqt1Rm1ip7uVwqwo_hGXx8BieKaCRQRvXKnQ/viewform?usp=sf_link. On May 19th, I will do a …
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25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AIsaiah 55:6-9Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 (18a)Philippians 1:20c-24, 27aMatthew 20:1-16aSeptember 20, 2020 Jesus continues to teach us about the Kingdom of Heaven. Today He describes it using a parable of a landowner and his vineyard. The topic within the parable is fair payment for work. In those days, standard practice …
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After we have confessed our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we receive a “penance.” We are not just “given” or “assigned” a penance as punishment for our sins. We must receive the penance. By “receive” I mean we willing accept the penance as an admission of our sins and our desire to change. If …
How do you look at world? How many people want to know what the world can do for them? They make everything they do about themselves. They are interested in what makes them look good (pride). They are interested in what brings them material wealth (greed and envy). They are willing to put others down …
