The people of ancient Israel believed that they were God’s Chosen people; they were special and holy in God’s eyes.  They were forbidden to associate with Gentiles.  They were not to do business with them or even pass through their towns.  And yet, we hear in all four of the Gospels that Jesus often associated with Gentiles.  It was one of the many strikes against him by the time he was led out to the cross.  But, it was also a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and clearly an essential […]

Last week, we heard in the gospel that Jesus fed the thousands after they followed him to a deserted place; you will recall that he had gone to this deserted place to pray.  Today, we hear that, after he had fed the people, he dismissed them and even made his disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the lake so he could finally get some time to pray.  He knew that he had to spend some time by himself to commune with his heavenly […]

“When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.”  As we hear, once again, the well-known account of Jesus feeding the hungry crowds, I’d like to call your attention to this first line of today’s gospel account.  Remember how it came about that John the Baptist died.  He was beheaded at the whim of King Herod during a banquet that he was holding in his opulent palace to celebrate his birthday.  Notice, Herod’s feast is marked by brutal […]

Imagine that you have just won the lottery – a multi-million dollar jackpot.  Imagine unearthing a large metal box while digging in your garden, and finding it filled with cash – all big bills.  Imagine you fall asleep and God comes in a dream and offers you anything you want.

Stories of buried treasure, sudden wealth and dreams that come true are among the oldest and most universal fables in every human culture.  Even the thought of sudden wealth quickens the pulse and stirs the imagination.  What if?  Would all our […]

Once again, let me wish all of you a Happy 4^th of July weekend as we celebrate the semiquincentennial of our independence from the oppressive yoke of British rule.  Unfortunately, this year, we find ourselves struggling under the yoke of oppressive heat and humidity, as well as the burden of a seriously divided nation.  The image of a yoke is not common in our urban culture, but I’m sure you’re all familiar with it.  It’s that wooden piece that keeps two oxen together as they plough a field or haul […]

I like straight talk.  I find it so much easier to address a situation if I know, up front, what the issues are and what we need to do.  Today, we hear our Lord offer us some straight talk and we all will do well to listen carefully.  Today’s gospel passage is another portion of the instructions Jesus gave his disciples before he sent them off as his apostles.  You will recall the difference between a disciple and an apostle.  A disciple is one who follows his teacher, carefully observing […]

Many of us spend a great deal of time and energy being afraid.  Some fear a past they cannot change or a future they cannot control.  Others fear what people are thinking or saying about them.  There is fear of heights, the dark, spiders, rejection, loneliness – all kinds of fears.  Fear can cause confusion, distress and even paralysis.

One of the constant messages of Sacred Scriptures is, “fear not!”  Whether it’s God speaking to Abraham as he calls him to leave his homeland or to Moses when he instructs him […]

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, […]