In this morning’s Gospel, we hear Jesus tell his disciples to pray that the master of the harvest will send out laborers. Immediately after that, he invests them with authority over the evil spirits and sends them out to preach and to work miracles.

When we pray for more laborers in the vineyard, we might imagine that God will answer this prayer by calling more men into the priesthood or more women into religious life.  While we certainly need more good priests and sisters, this Gospel helps us to see that […]

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; …and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”  Can you imagine the wheels turning in the minds of that first audience who heard the message that we just heard in today’s Gospel.  His disciples, faithful Jews, were probably familiar with the manna and quail that God sent his people in the desert; we heard about that in today’s first reading.  But wait, what? Did he […]

John 3:16 – the first verse of the gospel passage we just heard – is a very popular Bible verse.  You see the numbers on T-shirts and on billboards, especially if you drive through some of the states to our south.  Sometimes you even see the verse:  “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”  It is, indeed, a very popular slogan.  And, when we really listen to it with open hearts, […]

We all know that Pentecost marks the birthday of the Church.  Birthdays are a time of celebration and recognition of our beginnings.  They are times to reflect on our identity: what makes us who we are.  Our readings today reveal important aspects of who we are as a Church.

In the first reading, we hear the Holy Spirit described as a strong driving wind that fills an entire house.  Imagine the power of this moment.  It is inescapable and full of energy.  With a noise like a strong driving wind, and […]

Saying goodbye to loved ones is often very hard.  This is especially true when that goodbye may be a final one.  St. John has several chapters in his Gospel dedicated to Jesus saying goodbye to his disciples just before his passion and death on the cross.  As we have over the past two Sundays, we hear again in today’s Gospel a portion of that final discourse, and it summarizes his teaching while also expressing his concern that they be prepared for his absence.  Jesus’ aim is to convince the disciples […]

We all know that Jesus speaks of himself as the Good Shepherd.  We hear him do it again in today’s Gospel.  But, what do you know about shepherding sheep?  If you’re like me, probably very little.  One of the interesting things to know about shepherding sheep, as opposed to herding cattle, is that, unlike cattle, who are best moved along from behind, sheep prefer to be led.  And, in our Lord’s time, almost all families had a little flock of sheep, along with a plot of land where they would […]

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

Shalom: peace be with you!  This greeting appears three times in today’s Gospel.  When Jesus offered his peace to his frightened disciples, he was not just offering a pleasantry; he was offering his mercy.  You will recall that the English word “mercy” derives from the Latin word “misericordia.”  The second half of that word – “cordia” sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  Our English word – “cardiac” – comes from that word, speaking of things pertaining to the heart.  But, when we think of heart, besides that vital organ, […]

Alleluia!  Do you know what that word means?  We have purposely avoided using it throughout Lent and now we proclaim it over and over again.  As you will read in my Parish Bulletin article, it’s a combination of two Hebrew words: “hallelu” – the plural imperative of “hallel” – which means “praise” and “yah” the first half of the Hebrew word for God: “Yahweh.”  So, it literally means, “Everyone, praise God!”  And, indeed, we praise God in a special way today as we gather on this Easter Sunday to celebrate […]

After the journey of Lent, after walking with Christ through this Holy Week, tonight we gather, enveloped in light and music, to celebrate that we do not have to be afraid. He has been raised just as he said – Alleluia!

Our Scripture readings tonight are a journey through salvation history. In every reading, we hear more details, we gain more insight into this God of might who created all things and who looked at us and found us very good. We are reminded of God’s power as he frees […]

Last night, all observant Jews around the world began their annual Passover celebration.  For us, however, tonight begins the Passover of the Lord.  Holy Thursday is act one in the three-part drama that is the Paschal Mystery, the central mystery of our faith.  The Passover is a central theme in the readings for this evening’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper.  In our first reading, we heard the instructions that God gave to Moses and Aaron regarding the first Passover meal, which included the slaughter of a spotless lamb for each […]