Today we begin Holy Week, a day of fleeting triumph when Jesus enters the great city of Jerusalem. Next Sunday is another day of triumph, but this one is a lasting triumph. In between is a mixture of joy and pain, of sorrow and fear. We sometimes wish life was…

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” I guess in the turbulent times we are currently living in, this question really stood…

As Jesus passed by, he saw a beggar, blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned….” Many years ago, just outside a small town in the northern mountains, a family…

Today’s gospel presents a very visual scene. Can’t you just see it in a movie? Here is Jesus walking along through Samaria—an area which the Jewish people avoided “like the plague” since the Jews and Samaritans were enemies. He didn’t have to travel that way as there were several other…

Abram went as the LORD directed him. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design. “This is my beloved son, listen to him.” Three readings, one command: follow the directions of God. While it seems obvious to…

First Sunday Of Lent Shortly after Jesus’ Baptism, he was tempted in the desert. It seems like when we put our mind to following the Gospel message of loving everyone we too are frequently tempted. We don’t need to go to the desert or even leave our homes, community, workplace…

At the end of today’s gospel, Matthew 5:38-48, we read… “ be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” When I read this, I feel that there is no way I can ever be as perfect as God the Father. So how am I to deal with this?? First of…

What’s in Your Heart? The condition of our heart affects our very life; but the condition of our spiritual heart is even more important because it affects our soul and our relationship with the God who gave us life. In today’s gospel, Matthew writes in order to help the communities…

As I read through the readings for today one theme kept jumping out at me – Evangelization. I think for some of us that term has a negative connotation, something that makes us uncomfortable, something other churches do, but not us. But the Catholic Church has been called to evangelize…

“…Surely he did not help angels, but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people…” As I read the familiar passages…