Category Archives: Scripture

What do YOU attribute to God?

In my homily for the early morning Mass today, in response to the Gospel in which Jesus is accused of casting out demons in the name of Beelzebub, I asked those present why it is so common for us to … Continue reading

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“Not the Smallest Letter of the Law Shall Pass Away….”

If you attended Mass this morning, you heard the Gospel from Matthew in which Jesus tells his followers that he has come not to abolish but to fulfill the Law, and until that time even the smallest part of the … Continue reading

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Why a Pope? Here’s the Answer.

I ‘d like to share with all of you a video produced by my diocese featuring the Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Winona, Raymond DeSouza. As he always does with such clarity and eloquence, Mr. DeSouza speaks to … Continue reading

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Holy Father Speaks on Riches

I would like to provide to you, my readers, my translation of the Holy Father’s catechesis at his weekly Angelus audience to the people gathered there. Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! At the center of today’s Sunday liturgy we … Continue reading

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The Kingdom of God is Among You

In today’s Gospel reading from Luke we hear Jesus proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is among us. He says that there will be men who will shout out, “He is here!” or “He is there!” but we are not … Continue reading

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“Strive to Enter Through the Narrow Gate…”

Today’s Gospel has Jesus telling us to “strive to enter through the narrow gate.” He also warns that many will try and fail. You have to ask, “What will make the difference between entering and not entering?” There is a … Continue reading

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“There is a Baptism with which I must be baptized…”

Today’s Gospel from Luke has Jesus declaring, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish … Continue reading

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How Well Do You Hear? Remember?

How well do you hear? How long is your memory? No, this isn’t a test for Alzheimer’s. These really are profound spiritual questions that we all would do well to consider. How well do we hear God’s Word as revealed … Continue reading

Posted in General Interest, Saints and Prophets, Scripture | 1 Comment

Simplicity and Perseverance in Prayer

Today’s Gospel, as we all heard at Mass this morning, was taken from Luke. We heard of the man who at night pounds on the door of his friend, asking for some bread to feed an unexpected guest, and his … Continue reading

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“And he kept trying to see him.”

Today’s Gospel passage from Luke is about how perplexed Herod became about the identity of Jesus. We hear of people telling him that Elijah has arisen, or the great prophet has come back. He immediately thought about John the Baptist, … Continue reading

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God’s Joy

What was the take home point, do you think, of the readings given us at Mass this Sunday? How did you receive them? As you recall, our first reading from the Old Testament was an account of Moses and God … Continue reading

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Gratitude, Grace and Healing

This morning, at 6:30 am, I was asked by the celebrant of the Mass to offer the homily right before we were leaving the sacristy. It is at moments like that the grace of Orders takes over (in response to … Continue reading

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“We Sang You a Dirge and You Did Not Weep. We Played You a Flute and You Did Not Dance!”

Today’s Gospel reading from Luke is one of those unusual head scratchers.  “What is the message here?” we ask. I like to think that Jesus, in reciting what must have been an idiom to the Jews of the time, was … Continue reading

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The Law and Life

Our Gospel readings at daily Mass the past week and a half have been an intense series of confrontations rendered by Jesus. The first part of last week, Jesus confronts demons and casts them out of people. Then he turns … Continue reading

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How Far Are You From the Kingdom of God?

This Thursday we will hear Jesus say to a young man, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God!” This Sunday, we will hear in the Letter to the Hebrews of Jesus’ passing through the veil into the tabernacle … Continue reading

Posted in Evangelization, Scripture | 3 Comments