In one sense, my homily yesterday was about “advice.” John the Baptist had some great advice: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” In today’s comics (“Speed Bump
by Dave Coverly) there was some more good advice. The context is someone couch-surfing unable to find something to watch on the hundreds of channels and streaming services. The advice:
Go to MENU / SETTINGS / POWER / OFF / Pick up a Book
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, lectionary cycle A, and again John the Baptist features prominently in the gospel text. Where last week we encountered him as the herald of the Messiah, this week John has been arrested and is jailed. Before moving into the study, let’s consider the scriptural context of this gospel. Continue reading
We get lots of advice all through our lifetime. For example: advice on the best schools, places to live and vacation, and places to dine. If you buy a book on Amazon, watch a movie on Netflix, or do anything online, they are quick to advise you on other books to purchase, movies to watch, or what’s next in your life. Such advice might change your evening plans, but won’t change your life. John the Baptist has some advice for us all: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Continue reading
Yup, there is a “national ___ day” for about every tihing under the sun, so why not cookies. I have been blessed in my life to know some great artisans of the cookie baking variety. I don’t think I have yet to meet someone who does not like at least one type of cookie…. chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, ginger snaps, shortbread, macaroon, and the list goes on. Continue reading
(Dec 2 2022) It was reported by CNN that a “rogue wave” hit the Viking Cruise Line ship Polaris while in the Antarctic region sailing toward Ushuaia, Argentina. One passenger was killed and 4 injured. The ship also sustained some damage. The US National Ocean Service describes a rogue wave as one being greater than twice the size of the surrounding waves. If you’d like to read more about this phenomena, take a look at Rogue Waves.
Last Saturday I wrote about forgiveness. I started out the post as a reflection on the readings from Scripture for the first week of Advent, noting how the readings did not seem to fit the mood of Christmas coming. The column explained that they weren’t meant to be – it’s Advent, a time of waiting and reflecting despite what the commercial world of commerce would have you believe. But maybe the draw of Christmas is too powerful. The column sort of morphed itself into the idea of forgiveness as the gift you give. The end of the post said: “What ‘Christmas gift’ comes along with this life of forgiveness? Lower blood pressure, restful night, sweet dreams, peace, no longer being a victim, uninterrupted prayer, a new experience of God’s love… and so much more. Your gift is waiting right there under the tree, the cross of Christ. Go ahead, open your gift. `Tis always the season.’” Continue reading
Over this last year we have all been aware that everyday products we buy are being packaged differently. We think, “at least this item’s cost hasn’t risen during this inflationary period.” But when we pick it up, we sense there is something different. It just “feels” different. With fresh produce we have a sense of what things cost per/lb – the same with meats, poultry and the like, but for packaged items we have only sense memory and intuition. Our intuition tells us the corporations are under the same inflationary pressures as everyone else and they have to pass on the costs. So why is this item the same price? At same time our sensory memory tells us that something is different. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Advent in Lectionary Cycle A. Yesterday we considered Matthew’s idea of “repentance.” Today we delve into what is an appropriate response to the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Advent in Lectionary Cycle A. Yesterday we considered the use of this text during the Season of Advent. Today, we delve into Matthew’s idea of “repentance.” Continue reading
The high school youth minister at our parish publishes some great weekly reflections for the youth and their parents. I particularly liked the one published today. I read this reflection on the same day I read an article speaking with “Nones” – folks that are orthodox in Christian belief, but when asked what church they attend, their reply is none. There is a list of things absent in their experience of church – connecting Scripture and social justice, preaching that is relevant to their experience of life, several other items, but there in the list: “a friendly church.” It wasn’t “a welcoming church” but once the welcome was over, was the church friendly. In that context, I found Brandon Jubar’s words on point – what follows is from his post. Continue reading
friarmusings 