If you would like to catch up on some recent posts, here is a place where you can easily access some posts you might have missed. I hope it helps… enjoy.
- We have heardJesus’ words overflow with metaphor: living water, the hour, food, harvest. Each of these metaphors attempts to open reality in fresh ways for his conversation partners. Jesus wants to open the eyes of the Samaritan woman and his disciples so that they can see what is being offered to them in the present instead of continuing … Continue reading
- Why this reading?Note: apparently I did not post my homily for the 2nd Sunday of Lent. Here it is… Did you ever wonder why the Church the story of the Transfiguration is always the reading for the 2nd Sunday of Lent? I mean, the Feast of the Transfiguration already has its own day – August 6th every year. … Continue reading
- October 1941October in Tokyo Throughout October, most Japanese military leaders at cabinet level, at one point or another, left ample evidence of their doubt of success – but these doubts were not expressed at council meetings. In an October joint staff conference, Admiral Fukudome noted that if a war with the U.S. extended into a third year, … Continue reading
- Jesus and the Samaritan townspeople.John brings the Samaria narrative to a close by focusing on the success of the Samaritan mission. Verse 39 notes the faith in Jesus of many Samaritans and explicitly attributes the people’s faith to the woman’s “testimony” (martyria). She, like John the Baptist, is a witness who brings people to faith in Jesus. Also like John … Continue reading
- Momentum to WarIn Washington August 1941, Ambassador Nomura continued discussions with Secretary of State Cordell Hull. Nomura emphasized Japan’s desire for peace and mutual understanding, but he lacked clear negotiating authority and often received delayed or contradictory instructions from Tokyo. Hull, meanwhile, insisted on his four principles: withdrawal from China, respect for sovereignty, non-aggression and interference in another … Continue reading
- The return of the disciplesThis passage provides a bridge between Jesus’ conversations with the woman and with his disciples (vv.31-38). The disciples’ reaction to Jesus is similar to the woman’s initial response to him (v.9): shock that Jesus would violate social conventions. Unlike the woman, However, the disciples keep their questions to themselves. The woman makes no response to Jesus’ … Continue reading
- DisturbedI am a bit troubled by today’s readings. The gospel is this uncomfortable sequence in which Jesus, for the third time, has told his disciples “Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked … Continue reading
- The Turning PointThe previous posts attempted to lead the reader through the labyrinth of thoughts and attitudes that formed the currents of Japanese-U.S. relationship from the beginning of 1941 until June 1941. Within the U.S. government, the key figures were already in place and would remain so for the remainder of 1941 as would their views and recommendations. … Continue reading
- The Conversation: Part 2This coming weekend is the 3rd Sunday of Lent. In the previous post we went into great detail about the first part of the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman (thru John 4:15). Now we will continue to dive into the details in order to unpack this amazing narrative. 16 Jesus said to her, “Go … Continue reading
- When Worship and Life Drift ApartBoth readings today speak with a sharpness that may unsettle us but it is the sharpness of a physician’s scalpel, not a weapon. God is not condemning for the sake of condemning. He is calling His people back to integrity, back to a faith that is lived and not merely displayed. Through the prophet Isaiah, God … Continue reading
- Dialogue within JapanThe previous posts focused on the internal dialogue within the United States government during the period January into June, 1941. The focus was limited to the Departments of State, Treasury, Army (War) and Navy; the office of the President of the United States; and even included independent non-governmental agents helping/confusing depending on one’s perspective. The positions … Continue reading
- The Conversation: Part 1This coming weekend is the 3rd Sunday of Lent. In the previous post we delved into all might be implied in the simple opening which tells us where and when. We raised the question of whether it was simple geographical information or was St. John providing theological clues and breadcrumbs. Now we begin to consider the … Continue reading
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friarmusings 
Excellent way to catch-up without missing a post. Sometimes I miss 1-2 readings and I find them later when clearing my email.
I enjoy the reading and I like the idea of reading all on one email.
Thank you for sharing and posting for our reading and learning pleasure.
If it isn’t a burden to do so, I say yes please.
Sometimes my day gets busy and the only answer is to just delete all but essential emails. But then later in the week a post catches my eye and I want to look back to the beginning of the thread and see where it started. This week’s article on the Magnificat is an excellent example.