In one of his last exhortations before his arrest, Jesus is clear: "This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." It is easy for me to look at how others act and judge them, but how do Jesus' words effect me? When I'm at home with my family, do I…
While few of us have daily experiences with sheep, we can easily grasp the concept of staying close to the one who makes us feel safe and whose voice we recognize. In fact, that something we learn as children. Children are often aware of their dependance, but a we grow older our experiences sometime lead us not to trust as…
Jesus' love and desire to bring us into relationship with himself are beautifully present in today's Gospel. First, we see Jesus' generous love for his friends in providing them with a miraculous catch of fish and in preparing breakfast for them. At the end of this Gospel passage, Jesus' exchange with Peter to "feed my sheep" points to his care…
"Peace be with you," Jesus tells his disciples. Why is this so important for him to stress not just once but multiple times in this passage? It seems clear that Jesus' peace is meant to be a hallmark of Christian life - a peace bestowed by the breath of the Holy Spirit that bears witness to the presence of the…
Although the crowd's shouts of exuberant praise of Jesus on Palm Sunday will devolve into shouts of "Crucify him!" by Good Friday, we join them in praising the Lord on this day. In fact, we take up the crowd's chorus every time we go to Mass and sing, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosana…
March 29, 2025 Dear Friend, The world as they knew it had changed. Nothing was a certainty anymore. Fear and anxiety were the prevailing emotions shared by many. But for the first disciples of Jesus, there was still hope. They had remembered the words of their teacher and friend who had told them that he would rise in three days’…
Imagine the array of emotions the woman must have felt when others accused her of being a sinner. Guilt, shame, embarrassment, fear, confusion. Then think of what she must have thought when she saw Jesus. What was this man doing writing on the ground with his finger. Would he even lift that finger to help her out? When he does…
What is your experience of mercy? When have you received it? Do you allow yourself to receive it? In a very famous painting of the Prodigal Son painted by Rembrandt, the son is clearly at the end of a long, hard journey; he's missing a shoe, and he's dirty and haggard. Some of our spiritual journeys may feel similar, especially…
When was the last time you felt you were in the presence of God? On a retreat? In the presence of nature? Holding a newborn baby? (Or maybe you're not sure you've ever felt this way?) Today, we hear about the Transfiguration, when Peter, James, and John have an encounter with Jesus in all his glory. After hearing the voice…
In a world that runs on convenience, fasting is out of step for many, even for us Catholics. If I have a need I fill it. If something is hard, I find and easier way. And is that bad in itself? Of course not! The point of Lent isn't to cause suffering or seek discomfort. What we're pursuing during Lent…