Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wisdom 2:12-20; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37

Family is about putting your siblings first; attending to their needs before your own. Jesus does not demand radical things from us. He simply asks us to be the family that we already are, and for that we must kill him. He is like the crazy uncle at Thanksgiving, who speaks the truths no one wants to hear, that we try to laugh off, even though we long to be just like him, but we won't, because truth is too scary, so it's better to mock the old fool and live in fear, after all, who the hell is he to question our choices, our desires, I mean, look at the world we've created ...

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 50:5-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35

"You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." These words should give us pause. It wasn't just Peter who had false expectations of the Christ. If that was so during Jesus' own lifetime, how much more so is it today? There are lots of preachers, and politicians, with lots of details on the "works" God desires most, and the kinds of crosses we should "take up." What kind of faith are they encouraging us to live? And what kind of salvation are they promising in return?

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 35:4-7; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37

We are the ones impressed by bright and shiny things, not God. Our groveling and pleading are pointless. She loves us because that is who he is, not because we give them presents. Jesus did not want our praise. He wants us to love as he loved. How else will God's "vindication" arrive? Who else can provide "divine recompense" if we refuse to? We must love our family without favoritism or conditions, for God's saving grace is meant for everyone, especially those who feel like they least deserve it. Is that really so difficult or complicated?

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 7:1-23

"'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.' ... You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition." These words seem particularly appropriate as we enter into our political season. We know what God's Love demands of us, but we cling to our partisan ideologies instead. Enough! It is time to love our family, all of it.

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Joshua 24:1-18; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6:60-69

"Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ." We Americans cringe at the idea of being subordinate to someone. It offends our notions of freedom. But you cannot be in relationship with another unless you are willing to be subordinate to that other. How do you think the Trinity works? Yes, this is hard to accept. But if it is truth, where else can you go? "If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve." You have plenty of gods to choose from. So whom will it be? "As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Always.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Proverbs 9:1-6; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58

"Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me." Most of those who heard these words must have believed them to be foolishness, not wisdom. Do we really see them any differently? Sure, we have our Communion rituals, but are we truly partaking of Wisdom's food and drink? Jesus offers us Love incarnate, and we turn it into a magic cookie. Is that wisdom or foolishness?

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Revelation 11:19-12:10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56

These readings do not mention the subject of our feast today, for it is not found in Scripture. And yet the People of God still believe it is Truth. Why? Because it says something about God that we like: they loved Mary so much, they were willing to suspend the laws of nature to honor her faithfulness. Who wouldn't want a Parent like that? "Blessed are you" indeed, Sister Mary.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

John 6:41-51

"Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, 'I have come down from heaven?'" When a mighty prophet speaks, you listen. But what about when it's the kid next door? It looks like God and Truth are rather ordinary after all. Are you disappointed?

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Daniel 7:9-14; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10

Where are such signs of glory and majesty today? If they appeared, would you believe? I say that such belief is the faith of fools. Perhaps it was good enough at one time, but God desires much more of us. They do still provide signs, however. Just look upon the vast universe before us. Talk about glory and majesty! Such signs are far grander than any supernatural parlor trick can every be. And yet we seem to prefer the magic to the truth. Wake up! Whoever has eyes, see!

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Exodus 16:2-15; John 6:24-35

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." Is Jesus just some supernatural version of quail and manna? Believe in him and he will give you an unlimited supply? That sort of exchange is still about seeking "food that perishes." If we want "the food that endures for eternal life," we need to dig a bit deeper. Perhaps he is saying to us: believe in me and in the love that sent me, and hunger, thirst, even existence itself will melt away to reveal something else far grander that endures forever.