Spiritual

In John’s Gospel today, those listening to Jesus insist that they are not slaves—they are free. Jesus reminds them that they are slaves to sin. In the excerpt from Daniel, the three youths are free because they refuse to bow to the societal norms of the day, choosing instead to be thrown into a furnace. The world […]

Did you ever wonder where the symbol for the medical profession of a snake on a pole came from? Today’s reading from Numbers will tell you. The Israelites were instructed to gaze upon a snake to be cured of snake bite inflicted upon them because of disobedience. In John’s Gospel, Jesus says that when he

Two women, two charges of adultery. Today’s readings consist of familiar stories—Susannah (from the book Daniel) who is wrongfully charged, and the un-named woman caught in adultery (from John’s Gospel). In each case, the worst was believed. Do I do that? Do I immediately assume guilt because it is easier than finding the truth or

Today is the last of the big conversion stories of John’s Gospel—the raising of Lazarus. It is a wonderful story, filled with Martha’s coming to mature faith, the promise to us of resurrection, and the power of Jesus. All of these are worthy of taking time to ponder. However, I want to talk about the

Annunciation of the Lord I love that in the midst of Lent we have this wonderful feast day! The readings for today are so familiar that we may not really hear them anymore. But listen to what they say: Isaiah promises that a young girl will bring forth “God is With Us”! With us! Not

Wow! today is a lesson in not wanting to change—to hear that we have erred. In the Book of Wisdom, a plot is forming to destroy the prophet who reproves those in the wrong. The wicked say that “merely to see him is a hardship for us”. Jesus is facing mounting disdain for his message,

St. Turibius of Mogrovejo You gotta love Moses! In the excerpt from Exodus in today’s readings, he speaks up for the Israelites who had grievously sinned. Moses, despite his speech impediment, talks to God. Jesus, in John’s Gospel, says that Moses will testify at our judgment. It is up to me to assure that what

I am finding it hard to select one phrase from today’s readings. There are several images that leapt out at me. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the care we will be given as we make the journey toward God. We may hunger or thirst, physically, but our spiritual wants will be satisfied. We will be

We have a very wet set of readings today. The stream Ezekiel sees flowing from the temple and the pool of Bethesda are both life giving and healing. They gladden the city of God as the psalm says. Am I a stream of life-giving water for others? Do I refresh and gladden those I meet, or

St Joseph, Spouse of Mary Today we celebrate the quintessential strong but silent man—St. Joseph. In all of Sacred Scripture, Joseph never says a word. He is not even mentioned in two of the Gospels. Joseph is a man we really know very little about (Shameless plug here—read my book, Yosef’s Path: Lessons from my Father, to