Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 18: 15-20; 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35; Mark 1: 21-28

For too long our family has been plagued by notions that the spiritual is better than the material, that we must flee the world and the flesh to truly love and serve God. I say to you that such ideas are nonsense. Who do you think created the material? Who do you think created our flesh? We are meant to be together. Celibacy may be of practical necessity in some cases, but it is certainly not a higher calling. Yes, the world and flesh are full of distractions, but it is precisely there that the One is to be found. The Kingdom does not lie in the extraordinary, but in the average and the mundane. There is truly the delight of the Spirit. Time is not passing away, but even if it were, Father would want us to revel in her creation until the very last second. That is "adherence to the Lord." Do not expect miracles to prove that what I say is true. Listen to the authority of the Spirit that dwells within you; she will not lead you astray.

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Acts 9:1-22; 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31; Mark 16: 15-18

Our brother Paul was a great man. Without him, would our family even exist? But he was still a man, full of passion and imperfection just like us all. Honor him, listen to him, emulate him, but do not be afraid to criticize and disagree with him. He would expect and desire no less of true believers in the Way. He would be the first to say that the Spirit is present in each of us, not just those officially labeled as apostles and saints. And so I say to you that while "the world in its present form" may pass away, time will not run out. The journey of humanity may some day come to an end, but the journey of life never will. Life is the center of the universe, not us, and it is past time that we recognize our place within it.

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Samuel 3: 3b-10, 19

I am Samuel. I hear the call and respond, but I have yet to respond to the true caller. I think I am familiar with my Father, but she hasn't really revealed anything to me yet. Glimpses and hints perhaps, but my own will is still blocking the view. So let me be still and peaceful, and wait for my Lord to whisper my name when I am asleep. Speak father, for your servant is listening.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7; Mark 1: 7-11

This is not the coronation ceremony of Jesus the prince, as some Christians would have you believe. Rather, it is a father, our Father, giving praise to a child for a deed well-done. By accepting baptism, Jesus was acknowledging and embracing the identity and future for which our Father had called him out of creation. This is a call she makes to each one of us. Jesus is not our mighty ruler, but a brother, servant, and mentor, who once and forever is here to lead us, his people, his family, into God's reign of love. Stop denying the truth and accept the baptism of the Spirit in whatever way she appears to you. Then listen closely and you too will hear, "You are my beloved Child; with you I am well pleased."

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Matthew 2: 1-12

Love incarnate is not always welcomed by the world. It is too messy for the powerful; it threatens their control. But like the magi, we cannot deny its existence. We must approach it with our gifts and praise God for its presence. The world will fight back in fear, and may even seem to win at times. But know always that love will not be denied its victory.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Hebrews 11: 8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2: 22-40

A celebration of family today, and look at what families we have. Abraham, Sarah, & Isaac: two old sterile people and a son offered up in sacrifice. Joseph, Mary, & Jesus: an old man, his young virgin bride, and the Son of God (also to be offered up in sacrifice). So much for traditional family values! We are given a sign here of what it means to be true family: obedience to the will of God. It is not genes, law, or ritual that makes us family, it is faithfulness to that which is our true mother and father. Above all, it is faithfulness to love.

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Isaiah 9: 1-6; Titus 2: 11-14; Luke 2: 1-14

Rejoice my friends, for tonight love comes into the world once more. Did you think that the nativity was a one time event? Did you think that Jesus only came once, and now we must patiently await his return? Fools! Jesus never left us, because love never leaves us, we just forget about it for awhile. Tonight is a moment when we are called to remember that God comes to us each day in love. We are his beloved children, not just in some symbolic sense, but in a real and true way. So let us celebrate not just the divine birthay of our Brother, but also our own. Have a very merry Christmas!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Luke 1: 26-38
To you devotees of natural law and logic, I say this: just how natural and logical was it for God to use a virgin to bring Jesus into this world? My father does not operate by your rules, you operate by hers. What you see as natural is but a moment of order in the grand chaos of love. Just because you understand the mechanics behind a small portion of life, does not mean that you know life itself. There are grander things in this universe than you can possibly dream of, and they all fail to follow your natural law and logic. God has but one law: love.

Third Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 61: 1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24; John 1: 6-8, 19-28

My friends, I struggle to find my voice today. (Who am I kidding, this is my constant struggle.) How do I share all the "glad tidings" that our Father has shown to me? How can I "not quench the Spirit" that moves inside of me? How can I "not despise prophetic utterances" when I fear the consequences of my own words? How I long to "testify" like my brothers and sisters before me. This is what I pray for this Advent, this is what I cry out to my God for: the grace to speak his truth boldly and clearly, so that I may be truly worthy of her anointing.

Second Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3: 8-14; Mark 1: 1-8

Why do you await the arrival of my Brother like some celebrity red carpet event? Don't you know that he'll sneak in through the back door and tap you on the shoulder when you're not looking? Maybe he's already here! Stop looking for signs of something better and embrace the Spirit that is already present. She's tired of being ignored.