“The devil made me do it!” We sometimes hear that quip when someone has been caught doing something wrong.  Unfortunately, we don’t usually take it seriously – that is, the idea that the devil can tempt us to do something.  In fact, I suspect that most of us don’t even think very often about the devil.  And, yet, every year on the first Sunday of Lent, we hear the account of the devil tempting Jesus.  And, just as he tempted Jesus, he tempts us.  So, let’s examine this account.  It […]

Have you ever wondered if Jesus had a sense of humor?  Today’s gospel makes it very clear that he did.   Just pay attention to the humorous comments that our Lord makes about the blind leading the blind and removing a wooden beam from our eyes.  We all know how silly it is to think that a blind person could successfully lead another blind person.  And why would a blind person ask another blind person to lead him in the first place?  At the same time, why would a blind person […]

I don’t know about you, but I have come to rely very heavily on my GPS whenever I hit the road.  Especially during those stormy days when roads were closed due to downed trees or wires, I even used GPS when I was going to Bryn Mawr or Paoli Hospital to anoint someone.  And, I made sure to use a GPS with real time traffic alerts where up-to-the-minute details made my journey faster and easier.

Life is often described as a journey.  For us Christians, it’s a journey through this life […]

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh.”  Woe to you who are rich, …woe to you who are filled now, …woe to you who laugh now, …woe to you when all speak well of you.’”  As you listened to today’s first reading and gospel, you may have felt a little uncomfortable.  Reviewing this weekend’s readings, I was reminded of an observation one of my scripture professors made: “Our Lord came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”  […]