Like many of the prophets before him, Jesus’ life and ministry was tied to the Temple in Jerusalem.  It was there that Jesus was presented by Mary and Joseph when he was just forty days old.  It was there that he held priests and scribes spellbound when he was twelve years old.  It was there that he was drawn to worship and teach especially during the Jewish High Holy Days.

Today we hear of one particular visit to the Temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, the ancient Jewish feast held at […]

It may have slipped your mind, but we are in the midst of the Jubilee Year initiated by Pope Francis last Christmas Eve.  You will recall that the theme of this Jubilee Year is “pilgrims of hope.”  In the decree that announced the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis called us to be tangible signs of hope for our brothers and sisters, especially those who experience hardship of any kind.  I’m sure we all know someone who could use a renewed sense of hope.  The pope’s decree that inaugurated this Jubilee Year […]

I was delighted to learn on Friday that so many of you have already filled in and submitted the Disciple Makers Index survey that opened in our parish and in parishes throughout our archdiocese on Ash Wednesday.  This DMI survey, which we first conducted in 2018, has helped us as a parish understand how we can better grow in our relationship with Jesus and as a community of faith lead each other to our final destiny: heaven.  Like all parishes, our primary mission is to draw everyone to God.  Today’s […]

“The devil made me do it!” We sometimes hear that quip when someone has been caught doing something wrong.  Unfortunately, we don’t usually take it seriously – that is, the idea that the devil can tempt us to do something.  In fact, I suspect that most of us don’t even think very often about the devil.  And, yet, every year on the first Sunday of Lent, we hear the account of the devil tempting Jesus.  And, just as he tempted Jesus, he tempts us.  So, let’s examine this account.  It […]

Have you ever wondered if Jesus had a sense of humor?  Today’s gospel makes it very clear that he did.   Just pay attention to the humorous comments that our Lord makes about the blind leading the blind and removing a wooden beam from our eyes.  We all know how silly it is to think that a blind person could successfully lead another blind person.  And why would a blind person ask another blind person to lead him in the first place?  At the same time, why would a blind person […]

I don’t know about you, but I have come to rely very heavily on my GPS whenever I hit the road.  Especially during those stormy days when roads were closed due to downed trees or wires, I even used GPS when I was going to Bryn Mawr or Paoli Hospital to anoint someone.  And, I made sure to use a GPS with real time traffic alerts where up-to-the-minute details made my journey faster and easier.

Life is often described as a journey.  For us Christians, it’s a journey through this life […]

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh.”  Woe to you who are rich, …woe to you who are filled now, …woe to you who laugh now, …woe to you when all speak well of you.’”  As you listened to today’s first reading and gospel, you may have felt a little uncomfortable.  Reviewing this weekend’s readings, I was reminded of an observation one of my scripture professors made: “Our Lord came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”  […]

“Put out into the deep and lower your nets for a catch.” Think about it, that’s what the son of a carpenter said to a lifelong fisherman.  Peter did it, perhaps just to humor Jesus, or because Jesus had just cured Peter’s mother-in-law.  And what happened?  They took in the biggest catch of their lives. A fluke? A trick? Or a sign of things to come?  Whatever, it overwhelmed Peter.  “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man,” we hear Peter exclaim as he falls on his knees […]

In all of sacred scripture, there are only two accounts that tell us of the life of Jesus between his birth and the beginning of his public ministry: his presentation in the temple – as we celebrate today – and his finding in the temple when he was twelve years old.  We hear the account of Jesus in the temple every three years on Sunday but the account we heard today about his presentation in the temple occurs only when the second of February is a Sunday; the last time […]

“We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”  The explanation that the magi gave for their journey seems so simple and straightforward.  But, like so much of our Salvation History, there is more to the story.  These wise men came from afar bringing gifts to an infant.  In return, they receive a gift much greater than the distance and effort they spent.  After depositing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, they, in turn, receive a gift: they are redirected.

That is what we all […]