Saint Augustine would tell us that it all begins with the desire, yearning, longing for God. This desire is deep within every human being. Indeed, it is what makes us human. Ultimately, our desire for these gifts or qualities are expressions of our deepest desire, the desire for God.
Twenty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
The Eucharist, the Real Presence of Christ, fortifies and strengthens us to keep moving forward, pointing us towards the necessary corrections we need to make in our lives when we have taken a wrong turn, when we sin. Scripture functions as the most reliable guidebook for us in keeping our commitment to dying to Christ over self.
Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
In the Old Testament, a prophet (in Hebrew, nabi, which suggests “madman”), is one who speaks for another and challenges the community in its unfaithfulness. Called to challenge the community to faithfulness when it has strayed from God’s commands is not a popular message. So the desire to silence the prophet, one way or another, is clear. But the prophet must be faithful to the call no matter what, even if it brings rejection and suffering.
Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
If there is any fear connected with the coming of the Son of Man it will be so for those who have lost sight of the Jesus of the Gospels who welcomed the little children, forgave the adulterous woman and healed the lame and the blind and the deaf. If, however, we have worked to develop a relationship with Jesus during our pilgrimage on earth, we will, indeed, be prepared for his coming again, which will remove all fear forever.
Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
"How much is enough? By the world’s standards there are never enough material items. For the man in the Gospel today we can see that there was never enough in material wealth. As Qoheleth says in the first reading it is all Vanity. To think we can find happiness in material things alone and in our ability to accumulate is pure vanity. What he was missing was the only thing that can fill us up: the presence of God."
Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
In the reading from the gospel of St. Luke, we see a few times that Jesus prays. Even if we feel that God is not listening, the Lord teaches us to be persistent with our prayers-eventually we will receive an answer. God’s timing in answering us may seem to be taking too long, but we may learn something about patience here. When the answer finally comes, God may have a better plan than we ask for or imagine. At times, between the beginning of our prayers and the time we receive the answer, some important thing has happened. Circumstances may have changed in a way we could not foresee and the answer to our prayers ends up being more appropriate or helpful. God really does know best.
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
No one can blame Martha for what she chose, yet what Mary chose is different, is better. Martha bore the burden of service that day. What Martha chose is good, yet what Mary chose is better. Again, Augustine: “While what Martha does keeps one busy out of need, what Mary does keeps one sweet out of love.”
Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity • Year C
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity • Year C
The Feast of the Holy Trinity we celebrate today is total mystery and is not clearly explained in the Bible. Our belief has been coined by the early Church based on data from the Sacred Scriptures. Jesus prayed to the Father and promised to send the Holy Spirit; thus revealing the Trinitarian mystery.
Pentecost Sunday • Year C
Seventh Sunday of Easter • Year C
Sixth Sunday of Easter • Year C
Fifth Sunday of Easter • Year C
Fourth Sunday of Easter • Year C
Third Sunday of Easter • Year C
The grace of the resurrection was given to Peter by Jesus, and that grace was brought to completion by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost which enabled weak, imperfect Peter to become a sincere lover of Jesus. Peter gives us hope that we too can reconcile our weaknesses into moments of grace and transformation.