6th Sunday of Easter, Year C – Homily

6th Sunday of Easter, Year CActs 15:1-2, 22-29 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (4) Revelation 21:10-14a, 22-23John 14:23-29 May 22, 2022 Some of the people had been upset by teachings they heard. It has disturbed their peace of mind.  This is not what Jesus desires for his people. Rather, Jesus says, “Do not let your …

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Being Spiritual in the World Today

“This is a book about living. Not about surviving, but living a balanced, meaningful, and attentive life” (1). These are Judith Valente’s opening words in her book How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing. 2018). Life can be a struggle. Sometimes …

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5th Sunday of Easter, Year C – Homily

5th Sunday of Easter, Year CActs 14:21-27 Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13 Revelation 21:1-5aJohn 13:31-33a, 34-35May 15, 2022 Paul and Barnabas continued to proclaim “the good news.”  Through their ministry and God’s grace, “a considerable number of disciples” were made. God gives us grace as his disciples.  The Sacraments are a vital part of this.  It …

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A Time of Distress

As we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter in Year C, our first reading continues to come from the Acts of the Apostles. The Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the early church. In chapter 2 the disciples receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They then go out to proclaim the good news. …

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Invitation to a Deeper and/or more Frequent Practice of Faith

Today a letter I wrote, with comments and suggestions from staff, will be going out to all our parishioners in the two parishes I serve. While it is with St. Mary’s of the Lake and St. Benedict’s in mind, I think much of what it says is relevant for everyone. So, click here to read …

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3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C – Homily

3rd Sunday of Easter, Year CActs 5:27-32; 40b-41 Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 (2a) Revelation 5:11-14John 21:1-19 May 1, 2022 Last week we heard how the disciples gathered in the locked room for fear of the Jews.  This happened not once, but twice.  Both times Jesus came to them. The disciples have left the …

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Leadership Advice from St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Prompted by some other recent reading, I just finished reading Five Books on Consideration Advice to a Pope written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (translated by John D. Anderson and Elizabeth T. Kennan. Athens, OH: Cistercian Publications. 1976, Third Printing 2004). St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote this work as a series, offering guidance to Pope …

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Divine Mercy Sunday, Year C – Homily

Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Second of Easter), Year CActs 5:12-16Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 (1) Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19John 20:19-31April 24, 2022 It is not always easy to follow God.  We see this with the prophets in the Old Testament.  For example, in 1 Kings 19, Elijah flees and hides in a cave when Jezebel, the …

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