In our second reading today, St. Paul breaks into perhaps his most sublime enunciation of the human condition and the glory for which we are destined. He says that our momentary afflictions are producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. So, in order to expound on this idea, I will be […]
Continuing our road trip with Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, we hear today more accounts of Jesus’ early ministry. This week’s reading follows after last week’s, in which Jesus taught in the synagogue and cast a demon out of a possessed man. In today’s reading, Jesus casts out more demons and heals many of […]
Have you ever had a burning question? I mean the kind of question that you just had to find the answer to, a question that didn’t have an easy answer, and that stayed with you for a while? I had a burning question not too long ago. I remember that I was getting ready for […]
I think I was in first grade when I first saw the film “The Wizard of Oz.” It’s a film that just about everyone has seen, because it’s such a whimsical and timeless story. From the magical land of Oz to its expressive characters, to the memorable music, The Wizard of Oz envelops you in […]
Practice what you preach. It’s one of those Biblical phrases that has worked its way into our language and culture, and we repeat it, whether or not we realize where it came from. Although it’s a slight reworking of Jesus’ exact words, it’s undeniable that the phrase comes from this gospel that we have just […]
We are nearing the end of harvest time, and it’s very fitting that, for the past several weeks, the Church’s cycle of readings has given us several parables about harvesting. We have been hearing parables about workers in a vineyard quibbling over their pay. We have heard about two sons, one who says he will […]
Today, in lieu of an exegesis on the gospel of the week, I am taking the opportunity to address an issue that came up in CCD this week. Indeed, this is an issue that continues to come up in conversation with people of good will, both in this parish and outside of it, with young […]
Well, it may not feel like it yet, but summer is officially over, and the season of fall is upon us. The fields are being harvested, the days are a bit shorter, and soon enough, the highs will fall out of the 90s. Those of you who are farmers are busy laboring in the fields. […]
If you’re a baseball fan, you know that one of the most important offensive stats for any given player is his batting average. Batting average is the percentage of times a player gets a hit out of the number of times he’s up to bat. Most major leaguers have a batting average in the .200s. […]
One of my favorite things to do when I was in seminary was to make the short walk over to St. Peter’s Basilica. No matter how many times I entered, I couldn’t help but smile and feel a great sense of wonder and joy. I still remember the first time I entered the basilica. It […]