Genesis 12: 1-4;  2 Timothy 1: 8-10;  Matthew 17: 1-9 Hopefully every one of you, at some time or other in your life, has had what I like to call a “mountaintop experience.”  This is an experience like Peter, James and John had when they saw our Lord transfigured before them.  It is one...
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What does Jesus mean when he talks about taking up our cross? Our parents and grandparents used to say to us, “Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. You have to work at it.” Anything of substance and value requires patience, effort, and careful planning. If it were easy to do, there would not be much...
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Lectionary Year A focuses on the Gospel of Matthew. What are the Gospel’s key concerns and messages? The community that produced Matthew’s Gospel faced a myriad of issues. The Gospel, probably written around 85 AD, addresses a community consisting primarily of Christian Jews who accepted Jesus as their Messiah. This places them in conflict...
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Why do we confess to priests? Can’t we just confess to God? Let’s just suppose for a moment that I, as an underpaid writer, decided that I needed some fast cash and so I rob a store! Whom would I owe an apology to? Certainly I would apologize to the store’s owner, as well...
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I have struggled with the right words to say to friends and relatives during times of grief. From a Catholic perspective, what is really appropriate to say in times of grief? Death is something that our culture does not handle well. We tend to shrink away from it and often see it more as...
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I wonder if there’s anything I can do to influence my friends to get involved in church-and even go more often? Can you help? Evangelization is always a delicate balance. Faith itself is a gift, yet it needs to be nourished. So any influence you have needs to be the kind that encourages and...
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Sirach 3:1718,20,28-29; Hebrews 12:18-23; Luke 14:1,7-14 It is through pride that sin and suffering came into this world.  Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were faced with the very temptation that resulted in the fall of the tempter.  As faith teaches us, Satan began as an angel named Lucifer.  Created as a pure spirit,...
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Creativity is always an important value and gift from our God to each one of us. This past spring a parish contest was set in motion in the parish with Kristi Alton from our community designing our parish 50th anniversary logo.
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Does watching Mass on TV fulfill my Sunday obligation? In the age of instant communication, e-mail, voice mail and teleconferencing, many people wonder if these media of communication can be used for sacraments. Many priests, I am sure, have had people ask about going to confession on the phone. While it may seem like...
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Years ago I invested in some companies that-I am now discovering-may have caused medical problems or hardships on the public. How do I ensure that my investments are made in the spirit of good stewardship? Stewardship is one of the qualities of a good Christian. We use the gifts and resources that God gives...
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