“AND JESUS SPOKE TO THEM IN PARABLES.”
This week and next, we will hear several parables in the Sunday gospels. Jesus often spoke in parables to teach his followers. In fact, there are over 100 parables in the Bible and Jesus uses at least 35 parables in his teachings. About 20 of them are found in Matthew’s Gospel – the one that is featured this liturgical year – so it’s especially helpful this year to understand them. But what exactly is a parable and why did Jesus choose to use them as a teaching tool?
The English word […]
REFLECTIONS ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
As we continue to celebrate our nation’s semiquincentennial, I would like to offer some more reflections on the tremendous freedom we enjoy in our country. One of these freedoms is freedom to worship God according to our consciences. Our nation’s Constitution declares in its very first amendment that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The Constitution regulates Congress which, according to its first amendment, should not make any laws that would prohibit the free exercise of our religion.
In 2012, the […]
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Once again, let me wish all of you a Happy 4th of July weekend as we celebrate the semiquincentennial of our independence from the oppressive yoke of British rule. Unfortunately, this year, we find ourselves struggling under the yoke of oppressive heat and humidity, as well as the burden of a seriously divided nation. The image of a yoke is not common in our urban culture, but I’m sure you’re all familiar with it. It’s that wooden piece that keeps two oxen together as they plough a field or haul […]
CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Our Lord calls us to “do to others whatever you would have them do to you” (Mt. 7:12), and then teaches us to love our neighbor, using his parable of the Good Samaritan to demonstrate who is our neighbor (cf. Lk 10:29ff). It should be a matter of great concern for all of us that, in a country as prosperous as ours, so many of our fellow Americans (approximately 11% of the 340 million Americans) live in poverty. For more than half a century, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development […]
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
I like straight talk. I find it so much easier to address a situation if I know, up front, what the issues are and what we need to do. Today, we hear our Lord offer us some straight talk and we all will do well to listen carefully. Today’s gospel passage is another portion of the instructions Jesus gave his disciples before he sent them off as his apostles. You will recall the difference between a disciple and an apostle. A disciple is one who follows his teacher, carefully observing […]
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH PARTICIPATES IN OUR NATION’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY
Our nation’s semiquincentennial is well underway with a variety of special celebrations. Since one of the important freedoms that make up the foundation of our country is religious freedom, the Catholic Church has gotten involved in a number of significant ways. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops consecrated the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on 11 June, the eve of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This historic event was designed to recognize the Kingship of Christ and promote healing and peace in our nation.
Later […]