Category Archives: Musings

The Words We Speak

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In today’s gospel we see Jesus in an encounter with the Pharisees as time rapidly approaches the events we know as Holy Week. One of the basic threads of this narrative is about the ability to see, to intuit, to recognize the swirl of events that are around you. At first glance they might seem random, chaotic, or singularly isolated. At second glance there might not be any greater clarity, but something edges up to the corner of consciousness – maybe only to be dismissed, to be misconstrued, lost, or attach itself in that nagging way some thoughts do. The thoughts that just won’t be on their way. Continue reading →

Patris Corde

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Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Several years ago Pope Francis wrote the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde – With a Father’s Heart. It is a wonderful reflection of the attributes and characteristics of fatherhood – and also understands that St. Joseph serves as a model, not just for fathers, but for all who care for others. Click here to read the full text of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter. Continue reading →

Possibility of New Life

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The scene in today’ gospel (a woman caught in adultery) is a mixture of zealous righteousness that seeks to enact the law without pardon or quarter, the leadership who want to trap Jesus between mercy and the Law, and a woman caught in sin, fearing for her life.  True righteousness would have some measure of concern for her soul. True righteousness would be free from deceitfulness, not hiding behind loyalty to Moses for other intentions. Continue reading →

The Gaza Pier

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As part of the State of the Union address, it was announced that the United States was going to “build a pier” to provide a port of entry for emergency relief supplies. Gaza has no maritime port capable of supporting more than fishing boats – in other words, there is a single marina. Gaza has relied on true merchant shipping ports in Egypt and Israel. Those options are not and have not been available since the start of the war in Gaza. Continue reading →

Working things out

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Today’s first reading is taken mid-scene from a key part of the Book of Exodus. We quickly pick up that the infamous “golden calf” incident has occurred and the Lord is not happy as he tells Moses: “I see how stiff-necked this people is. Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them.” Can we blame God? Ever since our expulsion from the Garden of Eden the arc of humanity’s story has been one on increasing and spreading evil with God keeping things in check (e.g. scattering the people of Babel) while looking for a “few good men” – Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph and now Moses. Looking for someone with whom to establish human leadership that could lead humanity back into the presence of God. Continue reading →

On Living Waters

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Part of the baptismal ceremony for infants is the blessing of the waters of the sacrament. It is a wonderful blessing that tells the history of salvation through the story of the living waters. It is a panorama of events from Sacred Scripture: “At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness. The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of baptism, that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness. Through the waters of the Red Sea you led Israel out of slavery, to be an image of God’s holy people, set free from sin by baptism. In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. Your Son willed that water and blood should flow from his side as he hung upon the cross.” Continue reading →

On Remembering

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The Prophet Isaiah lived in times there were indeed troubled: foreign armies at the walls of the city, kings that had led the people astray from Covenant faithfulness, relying on alliances, warriors and gold to fend off the invaders from nations far larger than Israel. Yet for Isaiah, the vision of God’s majesty was so overwhelming that military and political power faded into insignificance. He constantly called the people back to a reliance on God’s promises and away from vain attempts to find security in human plans and intrigues. Isaiah insisted on the ethical behavior that was required of human beings who wished to live in the presence of such a holy God. Inevitably the people failed and Isaiah then delivered the message of judgment upon the people… but always with a parallel message of hope. It was never too late to turn to God. Continue reading →

On Prayer

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“Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. (Luke 18:10). In today’s gospel we encounter a Pharisee and tax collector in prayer. Interestingly, the pericope follows the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8).  While the common thread is certainly prayer, there are other aspects which bind together these two narratives. One of Luke’s ongoing themes is the inclusivity of the Gospel. In these two parables, God who hears all prayers is addressed by a (saintly and probably poor) widow and the sinful (and probably rich) male tax collector. Luke continues to demonstrate that the Reign of God is open to all – a message of keen importance to his Gentile audience. Continue reading →

Commanding Love

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The scribe’s question in our gospel from St. Mark about the greatest commandment was not posed “to test” Jesus as is done in Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels. The question is, in fact, a familiar one from Jewish tradition: “Is there a way of summarizing the commandments?” Jesus gave a traditional answer. The first part is from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (Shemaʿ ), but combined with another part from Leviticus 19:18. Continue reading →

Hard Hearts

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“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps 95:8) – our refrain from today’s Psalm. The thing is that God knows the hearts of humans and can anticipate our responses, a sobering thought echoed throughout the Bible (see Jeremiah 17:10). While the Psalm command is clear enough, you have to wonder if our “hearts” are already leaning one way or another. Think about the biases and prejudices we carry – aren’t a heart already leaning in one direction. Being from the South I was always under the assumption that New Yorkers were rude and folks from Boston were prickly. Of course they probably heard the semblance of a Southern accent and wondered if I could read. Continue reading →