“AND HE CURED THEIR SICK”
Over the past two weeks, we have heard several parables in the Sunday gospels. As I explained last week, Jesus used these parables to teach his followers about the kingdom of heaven. Over the next few weeks, we will hear several accounts of Jesus performing miracles. We will hear him cure the sick, feed vast crowds and even calm the sea. These miracles are also opportunities for Jesus to teach his followers – then and now. Not only do they demonstrated God’s mercy and compassion but they all point to [...]
“AND JESUS SPOKE TO THEM IN PARABLES.”
This week and next, we will hear several parables in the Sunday gospels. Jesus often spoke in parables to teach his followers. In fact, there are over 100 parables in the Bible and Jesus uses at least 35 parables in his teachings. About 20 of them are found in Matthew’s Gospel - the one that is featured this liturgical year - so it’s especially helpful this year to understand them. But what exactly is a parable and why did Jesus choose to use them as a teaching tool? The English [...]
REFLECTIONS ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
As we continue to celebrate our nation’s semiquincentennial, I would like to offer some more reflections on the tremendous freedom we enjoy in our country. One of these freedoms is freedom to worship God according to our consciences. Our nation’s Constitution declares in its very first amendment that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The Constitution regulates Congress which, according to its first amendment, should not make any laws that would prohibit the free exercise of our religion. In 2012, [...]
CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Our Lord calls us to “do to others whatever you would have them do to you” (Mt. 7:12), and then teaches us to love our neighbor, using his parable of the Good Samaritan to demonstrate who is our neighbor (cf. Lk 10:29ff). It should be a matter of great concern for all of us that, in a country as prosperous as ours, so many of our fellow Americans (approximately 11% of the 340 million Americans) live in poverty. For more than half a century, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development [...]
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH PARTICIPATES IN OUR NATION’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY
Our nation’s semiquincentennial is well underway with a variety of special celebrations. Since one of the important freedoms that make up the foundation of our country is religious freedom, the Catholic Church has gotten involved in a number of significant ways. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops consecrated the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on 11 June, the eve of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This historic event was designed to recognize the Kingship of Christ and promote healing and peace in our nation. [...]
PETER’S PENCE COLLECTION AND FATHER’S DAY
“Together, as one people, as brothers and sisters, let us walk towards God and love one another.” - Pope Leo XIV, Homily at Mass for the Beginning of his Pontificate, May 18, 2025 From his first appearance after his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV has called upon Catholics to live in peace and unity with one another within the Church and to share this invitation to peace and unity with the whole world. Throughout history, Catholics have shared the peace and unity of Christ with the world by [...]