EASTER GREETINGS
Alleluia! Our Lord is risen and offers us new life! We certainly need to hear this message this year as we find ourselves still surrounded by suffering and death after a year of assault by a powerful virus. The Paschal mystery proclaims that Jesus, truly man – the son of Mary – really died on the cross and then overcame the power of death as he rose on Easter. The resurrection of the body, the central mystery of Easter, is an essential Christian doctrine. As the apostle Paul declares so clearly: […]
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
You know this is a special Sunday when we have two gospels. And, you can’t help but notice how different our two Gospel passages are in tone and sentiment. We began with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the adulation of the crowd, and followed it with Mark’s account of his passion, at the hands of that same crowd.
As Jesus enters Jerusalem, he is at first the focus of Israel’s deepest hopes and dreams. Frenzied crowds shout with pleading and joy – Hosanna – which means both, “save us, we […]
PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION AND HOLY WEEK
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mk 11:9b-10). On Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we are called to join with our Lord, Jesus Christ, as he makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and then suffers derision and mockery, scourging and finally crucifixion because he comes to offer a new way of life and claims to be who he truly is – the Son of God. This week […]
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
“See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you.” Do you remember that declaration we heard from God on the first Sunday of Lent? I don’t know about you, but this Lent has gone very quickly for me. It’s hard to believe that next Sunday will already be Palm Sunday! And, the readings have presented us with a consistent theme throughout these five weeks of Lent; it’s the theme of “covenant” – I hope you’ve noticed it. It’s very important to our understanding of God […]
THE MORALITY OF RECEIVING THE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
A number of you have asked me about the morality of receiving the COVID-19 vaccinations and, in particular, the most recent vaccination made available through Johnson & Johnson. Your concern is due to the reported use of aborted fetuses in the development and production of these vaccines. It is a very valid concern and I applaud you for asking this question. I’m sure you recognize that I am a staunch pro-life advocate and would not want to encourage abortion for any reason.
On the other hand, it is important to fully […]
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Have you noticed them? The crocuses and daffodils that are beginning to break through the soil and some are even blooming, the rhododendron buds that are starting to bulge, the hint of green in the weeping willows – all of nature is getting ready to delight us, once again, with a glorious spring. As I mentioned at the beginning of our celebration this morning, on this, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, we are invited to rejoice. This Sunday has been traditionally known as Laetare Sunday, taken from the entrance antiphon […]
Reflections on the “Year of St. Joseph” in anticipation of the Solemnity of St. Joseph
“Where was St. Joseph buried?” a parishioner asked me recently. I thought for a moment and replied, “I don’t think we know. I have been to three places that claim to be burial sites for Mary: in Jerusalem, Ephesus and Kashmir. I have been to two burial sites for Jesus: inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and just outside the walls of Jerusalem. But I’ve never heard of or read about a burial place for St. Joseph.” “How, sad,” the parishioner commented. As I thought more about it throughout […]