May

19

“Help My Unbelief”

May 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Today’s gospel from Mark 9 is packed.  It’s the story of when Jesus, Peter, James & John came down from the mountain after the Transfiguration.  The disciples left at the bottom of the mountain had been unsuccessfully trying to rid a young boy of a demon.  Of course, it didn’t take long for Christ to [...]

May

8

“Take Courage”

May 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Sometimes, I find myself really focused on one group of saints - those who saw Mary, saints, angels and Christ himself.  Is there a greater afffirmation of faith - to get to believe and to see?
I was thinking about these apparitions in reading today’s first reading (Acts 22).  St. Paul is in prison, yet again, and we [...]

May

3

The Good Shepherd of Cleveland

May 3, 2008 | 1 Comment

I was in Cleveland, Ohio yesterday for a meeting.  With the Indians in town, we had made plans to catch the game and stay overnight.
I decided to go for a walk because I had a couple of hours to waste between my meeting and the game.  I found out that I was only several blocks from the [...]

Apr

22

Ritual v. Relationship

April 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Sunday night, I went to one of Cincinnati’s large non-denominationals to hear someone speak.  While I was waiting, I overheard a conversation between three members of the congregation who were sitting next to me. 
One of the members is married to a Catholic who “insists” on going to Mass on Sunday and doesn’t want to go [...]

Apr

16

Loss of Hope

April 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

A while back, I wrote about an incredibly tragic story.  
Michel Veillette was an affluent father of four who lived in a northern suburb of Cincinnati.  He was on the road most of the year and was pretty much an absent father and husband.  To make matters worse, he had an affair - his wife confronted him [...]

Apr

8

Hearing What We Don’t Want to Hear

April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Tough Comments 
Today’s first reading (Acts 7) has St. Stephen telling it straight to the people of Jerusalem.  They get so ticked off by what he has to say and how close he is to the truth that they go after him.
So, what does he have to say?  “you stiff-necked people” - ”uncircumcised in heart and ears” [...]

Mar

30

What is Mercy?

March 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment

As I was growing up in foster homes and an orphanage, I developed a well-honed sense of guilt and the anxiety that comes from doing something wrong.  I lived with the fear that if I screwed up, there was always the chance that I would be shipped off somewhere else.
Even after I was adopted, I couldn’t shake [...]

Mar

22

Gathering Around the Cross

March 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The demise of the Catholic Church has been greatly exaggerated.
How do I know?  I saw it firsthand last night.
At the evening liturgy, I watched as family after family went up to the Cross in various forms of veneration.  Family after Family!
At one point, my mind really started wandering and I looked up at Mary and [...]

Mar

21

Intimate Union with Christ

March 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

This day is one to spend in intimate union with the Lord.  Good Friday - the day to truly be there with Christ in body, mind and spirit as he sacrifices himself to save us and bring us to the fullness of redemption.
Let us all be in church at some point today.  Let us gaze upon [...]

Mar

18

Betrayal and Redemption

March 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Today’s gospel (John 13) has two foreshadowing passages of the Passion. 
“‘Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’  The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant.”
Hours later, one of the disciples - Judas - would betray him. 
“I will lay down my life for you.”
Hours later, the apostle [...]

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