Today we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the Annunciation, Mary found out she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus. Mary’s reaction is not one of pride. She does not begin to brag that she has been chosen as Jesus’ mother. She does not expect people …
Almost two weeks ago I did a presentation here at St. Michael’s. I had planned my calendar around being able to edit and caption the video the day after the presentation so I could get it online as soon as possible. Then I realized I had gotten a new computer since the last video I …
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3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20 January 21, 2018 Back at the start of December we began a new liturgical year. Our readings as found in the Lectionary for Sunday are based on a three-year cycle. Each of the three years features …
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If you are a long-term reader of my blog and website, then you know that I fell away from the Church after Confirmation but returned after 16 years. It is very important for me to be mindful of those who stop coming to church because they do not understand or appreciate all our faith offers …
Today (October 28th) we celebrate the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude. In the gospel reading for this morning’s Mass, we hear both Saint Simon and Saint Jude named among the twelve that Jesus had chosen to be Apostles. Simon is identified as a zealot. In those days, there was a particular group of Jews …
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 Matthew 22:15-21 Last week we heard Jesus tell a parable about a wedding banquet for the king’s son. There were many who were invited that, for one reason or another, chose not to come or even …
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Today’s gospel begins with Jesus saying, “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.” If we buy a lamp, we do not hide it under the bed. That would be contrary to the …
I have been reading Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) for the last couple of weeks (I read slowly as I reflect over the text). I just read paragraph 227 and was deeply struck by it. I think it is very relevant today as we watch conflicts between individuals, political parties, nations, and religions. …
Those of you who are regular readers of my blog might notice that the title of this article is “Some Thoughts on the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A” as compared to the normal title including the word “homily.” That’s because I’m not preaching this weekend. We have a visiting priest from the Archdiocese …
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Back on June 22nd I wrote about St. John Fisher, St. Thomas More and the “Fortnight for Freedom.” That “Fortnight for Freedom” began on June 21st. It ends today on July 4th, the day we, in the United States, celebrate our nation’s independence. Freedom is an important concept. Freedom needs to be taken very seriously. …
