In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to knock and the door will be opened, ask and you shall receive. In the first reading, Queen Esther begs the Lord for the right words to persuade the minds of her foes. Words are powerful, but Jesus says we need only knock, no words are necessary. They are […]

At the preaching of Jonah, that doom was coming unless the people repented, the king of Nineveh took off his crown and fancy robes. He dressed in sackcloth and proclaimed a city wide fast. He set the example. His citizens followed his lead. That is power. In this case, the power was used for good.

Isaiah tell us that God waters the earth, and life springs up. And so with the Lord’s words, they are life-giving, too. But words must be used well. Jesus, in today’s gospel, tells is not to prattle on with a lot of words when we pray. God already knows what we need. It may not

Today we celebrate the Chair of Peter, our first shepherd. Being compared to sheep is not a flattering thing. Sheep are not overly bright, which is why they need a shepherd. In many stories from the Gospels, Peter is not overly bright either. I find that comforting. Jesus never gave up on Peter, even after

Today we remember Noah getting out of the ark. Can you imagine how good that must have been–to breathe fresh air! But think of the task he and his family had before them. They were given a promise, a rainbow. What do I think of when I see a rainbow? I’m not always reminded of

Today Isaiah tells us that by striving to fast in a way pleasing to the Lord God, our efforts will be blessed. Our strength will be renewed and we will be like watered gardens. That means our efforts will bear fruit. Now, the fruit that is born is not for us to keep. It is

The author of Isaiah calls us to fast, but warns that the Lord God is not pleased with our fasting as we usually do it. He goes on to explain what type of fasting pleases the Lord. “Have I gotten into a rut with my fasting?” ask yourself. Is chocolate, alcohol, candy, video games, and

Moses sets before the people “life and prosperity, death and doom”. He tells them to choose life. Is there really a choice here? I doubt anyone would choose death and doom, but do we always choose life. We are faced with so many choices in everyday of our lives. They may not seem life life

Today the prophet Joel asks us to rend our hearts not our garments. Our hearts are already ripped apart from the almost 500k who have died, the attempted coup in DC, the loneliness of isolation. Today don’t think about rending your hearts anymore than they already are. Instead mend your heart by reaching out to