1 Kings 17: 10-16; Hebrews 9: 24-28; Mark 12: 38-44. I will never forget the first time I met Matthew.  He was a gentleman that the priest’s at St. Paul Seminary had “adopted.”  About once a week he would show up on the doorsteps of the seminary looking for one of the priests to...
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Revelation 7:2-4,9-14;  I John 3:1-3;  Matthew 5:1-12 Today’s celebration of All Saints is very much about “people needing people.”  We Catholics seem very much to need our fellow humans, the saints.  In the first decades of the history of our Church, we have sought out, imitated and prayed to the martyrs of our church...
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The Sacrament of Anointing is not just for those who are dying. Rather, this sacrament asks God to restore the person to health while at the same time granting the remission of venial sins. That is why it is important they we anoint people early in an illness, or any time that...
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Having entered the flu season our bishop, along with many other leaders in the church have asked to consider a few of the ritual practices of our liturgy; specifically the issue of exchanging the sign of peace, and sharing from the common cup. Let me begin my remarks by stating clearly that it is...
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Isaiah 53:10-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45 They were struggling with the same thing that nearly every human struggles with at some time in his or her life . . . the desire for power.  On the one hand they were right in affirming that Jesus would enter into glory and be seated on his...
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Wisdom 7:7-11;  Hebrews 4:12-13;  Mark 10:17-30 (cf. also CCC par. 2052 ff.) Having entered the flu season our bishop, along with many other leaders in the church have asked to consider a few of the ritual practices of our liturgy; specifically the issue of exchanging the sign of peace, and sharing from the common...
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Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16 In studying and praying with today’s scriptures I found a bit of a challenge.  Although the scriptures are strongly united in the image of sacramental marriage, I pondered that perhaps there was something deeper going on here and marriage is simply one example of this deeper teaching.  This...
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Wisdom 2: 12, 17-20;  James 3: 16-43;  Mark 9:30-37 “Who is the most important?” If you want people to believe you tell them a big lie.  Not a little lie.  But a big one.  A lie so big, that when analyzed at face value it couldn’t possibly be true.  Then after people believe your...
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Isaiah 50:5-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35 At the center of our readings today is the age-old teaching that has been misunderstood since the time of the reformation – the controversy between faith and works.  Paul, in his letter to the Romans states clearly, “. . . we consider that a person is justified by...
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Isaiah 35: 4-7; James 2: 1-5; Mark 7: 31-37 The man was deaf and he had difficulty speaking.  He was separated from others by this barrier to communication.  He was locked inside a body which would not allow him the freedom to share his hopes, fears, dreams, desires.  His friends brought him to the...
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