We all know people who carry grudges. As our first reading describes them, they “hug anger and wrath tight.” I’d guess that every family has a few of these characters. Sometimes the grudges are over little things – someone said something they didn’t like, or didn’t reciprocate a gift, and they never…

Today’s readings (1st and Gospel–note how similar they are,) make me cringe a bit. It is a wake up call that I/we are to some degree our brother’s and sister’s keeper. In Jesus’ day it was common practice to correct the public sinner first privately alone, then with a few…

One of my dogs, Kodi, is very old, blind, and arthritic. He always walks in front of me, like a good sled dog. But in truth, with his slow, stumbling pace, he is an obstacle for me. “Get behind me, Kodi!” I might plead. Being who he is, Kodi gives…

“You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of the Netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Lekan Olatoye, was a 42 year old man from Nigeria who traveled to America to study at Dallas Seminary. Though Lekan had been a successful executive with…

This week’s Gospel Reading finds Jesus in an area outside of Jewish territory. A Canaanite woman, a Gentile, and foreigner cries out to Jesus to help her child. His usual response is to acknowledge the person and grant their request. In this instance he ignores her cries and continues on….

When I was a kid I was thoroughly impressed with St. Maria Goretti who suffered martyrdom at the age of 12 rather than sin and St. Therese Lisieux who wanted to follow Christ from a very young age as a religious sister, and indeed, did so until she died at…

Summer picnics are a great time to gather with family and friends in backyards or local parks to celebrate a variety of occasions. From birthdays, to holidays, to wedding anniversaries, the spirit of love and sharing is evident. The planning and preparation for such events includes a lot of details!…

Earlier in Matthew we hear Jesus instruct his followers to prioritize their pursuit of holiness – “Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness.” Now again we are reminded with the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price; the same point. God’s great truths are before…

Once upon a time in a garden long ago, there lived a very happy family, a boy, a girl, and their loving father. The father provided everything his children could possibly want: a paradise of beauty, innocence, free from hunger, pain, fear, and yes, free from death. Though the boy…

In today’s Gospel, we hear the parable of the sower of seeds. As the farmer sows his seeds, not all fall on fertile land. Some fall by the wayside and spring up too quickly without soil to root, to be overcome by weed and thorns. As Jesus explains the parable,…