Election day is fast approaching and we’re all getting bombarded by messages from political candidates making all kinds of promises: lower taxes, health care for everyone, more or less government involvement, etc., etc.  Suppose a political party made this promise:  to introduce a new, revolutionary wage policy.  Instead of an hourly pay rate or a salary based on your position, every worker will receive the same daily pay.  And, whether you work one hour a day or 16 long hours, you will receive the same wage, sufficient to provide for […]

We’ve all heard the phrase: “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”  It’s straight from the Bible; in fact, you’ll find it in three books of the Old Testament:  Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy.   It follows right after the Ten Commandments and is offered as a practical application of the 5^th Commandment: Thou shalt not kill.  After decreeing that “whoever strikes someone a mortal blow must be put to death,” the text goes on to decree the appropriate punishment for lesser injury.  It ends with, “if injury ensues, […]

In writing to the Christians in Rome, we hear St. Paul say in today’s second reading that the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. He is reiterating the teaching that Jesus often offered, indeed, his greatest commandment. The commandment to love – God, oneself, and one another – is emphasized over and over again in all four of the Gospels.

 God’s love for us is also very clearly presented in the Old Testament, although it is easy to miss this in the midst of all of the messages […]

Every time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, we experience God’s presence in two amazing ways: in his living Word and in our Lord’s life-giving Body and Blood.  As I mentioned at the beginning of this Mass, we are excited for several of our young parishioners who will experience God’s presence in a new way for them as they receive Holy Communion for the first time.  It is, indeed, a special moment for you and we rejoice with you! 

 But, we also experience God’s presence as we hear him speak […]