We are, once again, experiencing a great deal of turmoil in the world: the horrific war in Ukraine, the terrorist attack in the New York subway, frequent shootings right down the street in Philadelphia.  So much turmoil, death and destruction.  This turmoil offers us an insight into the turmoil in Israel in the time of Jesus, as the Jewish people struggled to survive under the oppressive rule of the Romans and the common Jew suffered from the misuse of power by many of their own leaders.  And, we need simply […]

As Christians everywhere this day flock to churches stripped of all flowers to venerate the wood of the cross, we fast and pray, mindful of the depth of God’s love for us, even to the death of his Son on a cross.  There are two questions that I would like to offer for our reflection.   First, what did we do to deserve such a loving God who gives the life of his only Son for our salvation?   And second, what can we offer him in return for this wondrous sacrifice […]

“I hope we have a nice vacation!”  Please make up your bed before you go to school.”  “I love you.”  We all know how important words are.  Among other things, they can express our hopes, give direction and relay our feelings.  But they don’t have any power by themselves.  Hoping for a nice vacation won’t guarantee it, nor will our directions to our child to make their bed.  But, when God speaks, his very word is effective.  “Let there be light,” he commands, and there was light.  “Stretch out your […]

For most of his public life, it seems that Jesus tried to hide his true identity.  While others acclaimed him as the Messiah or the Son of God, he referred to himself as the Son of Man; we heard him use that title to describe himself twice in today’s gospel.  When others tried to worship him or spread the news of his miracles, he told them to keep silent. He didn’t want their praise or publicity. Not yet. His time had not yet come and they did not understand his […]

Last week, we heard the very well-known parable of the prodigal son where we heard, once again, of God’s abundant mercy and forgiveness.  Today, we hear the equally well-known account of Jesus’ encounter with the scribes and Pharisees and a woman caught in the act of adultery.  Once again, we hear of God’s mercy.  This unnamed woman has become famous because Jesus saved her from a crowd that was out to get him.  This woman was just like the bait on a fisherman’s hook; Jesus was the fish they were […]