Category Archives: Musings

Returning to the Lord

Posted on by
Reply

The first readings for the beginning of this week are taken from the Book of Ezra – a book that might not be familiar to you. Here is “the big picture”: The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah are two of the historical books of the Old Testament that tell the story of the return of the Israelites from exile in Babylon and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The Book of Ezra begins with the decree of Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, allowing the Israelites to return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon and rebuild the temple. While the Temple was dedicated in 516 BC, religious reforms were another matter. Ezra was not with the original returnees. He arrived in Jerusalem in 458 BC some 80 years after the decree of Cyrus the Great. Continue reading →

Uncle Bob

Posted on by
2

With all apologies to all the great Uncle Bobs out there, growing up in my family we did not talk about “Uncle Bob.”  In fact I think I was 12 before I knew I had an Uncle Bob. His story, a sad one indeed, is for another time. But what made me think of those hidden family stories was today’s “Word of the Day” from Merriam Webster: nepotism. Continue reading →

Junk Mail

Posted on by
Reply

There was an interesting article in this morning’s news on mass mailing (a.k.a. junk mail) – its history, volume, rationale and the US Post Office’s dependence upon on it.  But what was most interesting to me was a description of the means to stop the a great deal of junk mail. The article (I tried to stop my junk mail forever) was written by Michael J. Coren and appeared in the Washington Post. Continue reading →

Obsessions

Posted on by
Reply

In today’s first reading we are warned against “a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds.” (1 Tim 6:4-5)  When you hear those words again, what comes to mind?  Do you view yourself as someone who values the importance of maintaining peaceful and constructive interactions with others? Do you like a good, lively, robust debate? Of course there is “lively” and there is “lively.” Continue reading →

Authority and the Kingdom

Posted on by
Reply

The gospel for today tells the Lucan story of Jesus’ encounter with the Roman centurion whose servant “was ill and about to die.” When the centurion hears that Jesus is coming to his house, he sends another servant with a message: “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed.” Continue reading →

Exaltation Holy Cross

Posted on by
Reply

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated every year on 14 September, recalls three events: (1) the finding of the True Cross by Saint Helena, (2) the dedication of churches built by Emperor Constantine on the site of the Holy Sepulchre and Mount Calvary, and (3) the restoration of the True Cross to Jerusalem in AD 629 by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, after it had fallen into the hands of the Persians in the AD 614 conquest of Jerusalem. Continue reading →

Unquenchable Desire

Posted on by
Reply

Today is the memorial for St. John Chrysostom, a bishop and doctor of the Church. He lived in the late 4th and early 5th centuries and is counted as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs of the Byzantine Church along with Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus. John garnered the moniker Chrysostom (“golden tongue”) because of his oratory skills. John also became quite popular because of his eloquence, insights, and  passion in his public speaking at the Golden Church, Antioch’s cathedral. Especially popular was his insightful expositions of Bible passages and moral teaching. He emphasized charitable giving and was concerned with the spiritual and temporal needs of the poor. He spoke against abuse of wealth and personal property: Continue reading →

Mature Faith

Posted on by
Reply

Sometimes it is good to know the “big picture” in order to more deeply appreciate the details. Let me suggest that the “big picture” of St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians is his hopes and prayers for a maturing faith community founded on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul sets the tone in the opening chapter of the letter where the message is: this is how I am thanking God for you (1:3–8), this is how I am praying for you (1:9–23) and this is what I am doing for you (1:24–2:5). All of these things Paul is doing and continues to do so that the believers in Colossae will continue to mature in their Christian faith. We see that clearly expressed in today’s first reading where two verses neatly sum up the message of the entire letter: “So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Col 2:6-7) Continue reading →

The Economy of Mercy

Posted on by
Reply

Today’s gospel from Luke tells of Jesus’ encounter with the scribes and Pharisees centered around what is proper action on the Sabbath. There were 913 regulations and guidelines arising from the reading of the Torah (Pentateuch). To the modern mind, it is hard to conceive how that sheer number would be a good thing for a worshiping people. But it is important to understand the intent and purpose of the Sabbath work regulations. They are rooted in the religious and spiritual significance of the Sabbath day, and while the number and nature of the regulations could be seen as restrictive, they were intended to enhance the quality of life and promote a deeper relationship with the Divine. Continue reading →