Sometimes we cannot fully understand the message behind our Sunday readings because a few verses are “plucked” from a longer reading. The verses prior to today’s reading tell how many people who actually witnessed the miracles of Christ still did not believe. Many of these were the Scribes and Pharisees,…

Four weeks ago I was in Albany watching my 3-year old grandson who had broken his collarbone. He wore a splint and Snoopy sling on his left arm and did amazing things with his right arm. When mom and dad left for work that first day, I busied myself cleaning…

Once upon a time, there was (and still is!) a Medical Mission Sister named Sr. Miriam Therese Winter; with a PhD in liturgical studies, three honorary PhDs and an assortment of publications and musical albums to her credit. She is a professor and chair of the Women’s Leadership Institute at Hartford Seminary, Hartford,…

The gospel today brings us to the climax of Jesus’ mission…to bring all humans to His Father by His death, resurrection and ascension. The years leading to this time was to teach His disciples about the Father and the way toHim. If you remember, last month I said that the “Last…

Today we hear that all who believed in Jesus— Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans alike—were sustained by the presence of the Holy Spirit in their midst. In the Gospel reading, which continues Jesus’ farewell discourse from last Sunday, Jesus tells the disciples about “another Paraclete” (often translated as “Advocate,” “Counselor,” or…

Isn’t it a beautiful time of year? It makes us think of and remember Easter, not only this year, but all the Easters past when Christ made the supreme sacrifice when he died for our sins. In comparison any sacrifice we make for him is minute. According to the dictionary,…

Father, help me! I am lost and frightened! Be not afraid. Our father in heaven has sent me. Come, follow me. But it is dark and I cannot see clearly. My word is your light. Come, follow me. How can I follow? I do not know the way. Will you…

One evening not long ago, I was rocking a beautiful, 11 month old baby boy.  He was looking up at me and I at him and soon his little eyes got heavy and he started to fall asleep; all was well in his world and mine, that is until he…

“And they knew him in the breaking of the bread…” The story of the road to Emmaus is familiar to most of us. We know that two of Jesus’ disciples, walking along that lonely road, were deeply discouraged.  They believed that their Rabbi and Master was dead, gone forever.  Yet…

Can you just picture the frightened disciples not sure if they also would be killed or if they lived; what they would do with their lives now that Jesus was gone? Then He appears in their midst, though the doors were locked. His first words: “Peace be with you!“ Three…