November 11, 2018 Today we celebrate the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. This week two widows feature prominently in our scripture readings and teach us something about putting God first. The widow of Sidon in our lesson from 1 Kings, offers hospitality expected in a culture without convenience stores and...
November 4, 2018 Today we celebrate the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time. The famous poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning asked, “How do I love thee?” In today’s Gospel Jesus answers a similar question posed by a scholar of the law. Jesus simply quotes the passage from Deuteronomy, which every faithful Jew...
October 28, 2018 Today we celebrate the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Church year is winding down with just three more weeks before we conclude with the Feast of Christ the King, (Nov. 25th). As we continue our journey of discipleship, learning from Jesus the cost of being disciples,...
October 21, 2018 Today we celebrate the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. When this past year’s class of permanent deacons was ordained this past Spring, there was a headline in our St. Louis Review that I didn’t notice, but a bishop friend of mine saw it. The Headline read, “Ordained...
October 14, 2018 Today we celebrate the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. As Jesus encounters a wealthy young man asking what he must do to inherit eternal life, we are drawn into the scene, as Jesus clearly indicates the cost of discipleship. The man has been a devout observer of...
Today we celebrate the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This weekend we discover the starting point of discipleship. In our readings there is an important distinction between where the Pharisees are grounded and where Jesus is grounded. The Pharisees are grounded in Moses, but Jesus is grounded in God. Like...
September 30, 2018 Today we celebrate the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This week’s scriptures call our attention to where we see the Spirit in action for doing God’s will, whether in a friend, a foe, or even us. Jesus says, “Whoever is not against us is for us.” If...
September 6, 2018 Today we celebrate the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. “Ephphatha,” Jesus says and a miracle occurs. Jesus made clear God’s desire to heal, free, and reconcile all creation. Divine healing in the scriptures never exists for its own sake, but as an impetus to proclaim God’s glory....
September 2, 2018 Today we celebrate the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. You and I live in Missouri, the “Show Me” State. Tradition holds that Missourians need clear and concrete proof to be convinced about something. They need someone to show them something is true. Moses told the Israelites to...
August 26, 2018 Today we celebrate the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time. “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life?” (John 6:69). On our final Sunday of reading John 6, it’s decision time....
