“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?” Ps 50  https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendarIsaiah, the Psalmist, and Jesus are warning us that we must be mindful of our motivations. If we do deeds to receive praise from others, then God may turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to us. Glory and praise for […]

“Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you” Ps 79.  https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar What is my prison? And more importantly, do I want to be freed from it? Do I sigh and call out to be set free? Maybe I am too comfortable in the prison of my own making. In my prison I don’t every have to

Peter was out of his head–wanting to build tents and stay forever on the mountain top. He wanted to capture that moment and live in it always. Can’t really blame him. Why go back to the ordinary of daily life after such an experience as the Transfiguration? Well, it’s because we have to. No matter

Today we are reminded that God sends his blessings (rain) on the just as well as the unjust. One could, and does, ask why! Why should the unjust get anything, we might, and do, demand. Well, it is hubris that makes us ask such a question, because we are probably thinking that we are the

The psalmist tells us today “My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn.” Have I ever waited for the dawn? Have I ever longed for something so much that I couldn’t sleep? Do I long for the Lord with such passion? A bigger question may be, why don’t I long

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