Words are fascinating. Etymology of words even more so. English has a pretty large “working vocabulary” with lots of synonyms, but I think in general each synonym conveys a slightly nuanced meaning. There is often just the right word needed somewhere in the pile of synonyms. Continue reading
The 5th Lateran Council was summoned by Pope Julius II via the bull Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, issued at Rome on 18 July 1511. Julius had promised such a reforming council at his election as pope, and after several schismatic cardinals, officially supported by Louis XII, king of France, had assembled a quasi-council at Pisa, Julius took action. Twice postponed, the council held its first session in Rome at the Lateran Basilica on 10 May 1512. Continue reading
In today’s first reading we again hear the story of Joseph, son of Jacob, and how he ended up in Egypt. You know the story: to his brothers Joseph seems the “favorite son.” Joseph garners special attention and gifts from his father. The brothers did not like Joseph for reasons that were left out of today’s readings: (a) he used to report the misdeeds and failings of his brothers to Jacob, and (b) he told his brothers about a dream where he would rule over them all. All-in-all, Joseph was hated by his brothers; verse 5 of the scripture, not included in the reading, uses the word “hate.” Continue reading
In Luke’s gospel has a series of stories about rich men and their concern for money (among other key topics): the parable of the Prodigal Son (15:11-32) followed by the story of the Dishonest Steward (16:1-13) and the story of the rich man and the poor Lazarus (16:19-31). The in-between verses, vv.14-18, begin with the phrase, “The Pharisees, who loved money.” Jesus describes these people as an “abomination” (bdelygma) before God (v.15). In the biblical tradition the term is used to speak of idolatry and in condemning financial misdealing (Dt 25:16). Idolatry and money, twins as abomination. Continue reading
Today is the Feast of St. Patrick which has optional readings you can find here.
The scene in the gospel is familiar – “oh sure, I’ve heard this before, Jesus is calling his disciples to be fishers of men” – perhaps too familiar. As with most scriptures, there is more than meets the eye.
The account begins with a wide-angle view with Jesus in a natural amphitheater with a large crowd. Having Simon Peter take him in the boat just a little offshore, Jesus can take in the breadth of the crowd as he teaches. There among in the crowd are people who have heard of the great things he has done in Nazareth and Capernaum, as well as Pharisees, scribes and officials from Jerusalem. There too are the ones who will become his disciples and follow him.
I wonder if St. Matthew had been a person of our age he might have written: “Then the helicopter mom of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons.” It is great that Mrs. Zebedee wants the best for her sons. Clearly, Jesus goes on to speak to the sons and basically asks them – are you prepared for what’s coming? But who do you think had a key role in preparing them as the sons answered, “Yes we are”? Mrs. Zebedee. Helicoptering aside, with the grace of God we know that the sons of Zebedee were men of faith and perseverance. They must have had a great mom. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C. In yesterday’s post the point was made by Jesus that judgment comes to all people unless they repent. There is a universality of judgment. Then as now, the listener will easily call to mind a person considered worthy of divine judgment and punishment. There then lingers the unspoken question of timing. “As God will, can’t that divine punishment come now for this one?” Of course we are often reminded not to judge or regard others as more deserving of God’s judgment than ourselves. Continue reading
Recently I was teaching grade school children at our parish school. The topic was regarding the 40 Hour Devotion that was coming up in the parish. The children would be participating and so I was asked to let them know a little bit about the history and spirituality of the devotion. In one of the grades I had been given a lot more time than the other grades. As a result there was time for questions and answers about anything. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C. The warnings and admonitions regarding the coming judgment that began with 12:1 reach their conclusion with a sobering call for repentance. Just as the debtor on the way to court in 12:57-59 is warned to make every effort at reconciliation, so also Jesus uses the sayings about calamity in 13:1–5 and the parable of the unproductive fig tree in 13:6–9 to make the same point: Repent now, for the time is short. Continue reading
Today’s morning Mass marks the beginning of the parish’s 40 Hour Devotion – and as such today’s readings are taken from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
There are lots of odd names that appear in the Old Testament. One of them is Melchizedek, king of Salem. The name literally translates as “king of righteousness.” Melchizedek appears pretty much out of nowhere in the storyline of Abraham. Melchizedek hands Abraham the gifts of bread and wine and Abraham gives Melchizedek 1/10th of everything he has. These are very covenantal actions. Continue reading
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