Today’s readings give us the “GoodCop/BadCop” treatment in sending out the word of God. Paul, as usual, is the bad cop. He tells his men “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” John is the good cop in the second reading, telling us of a God who […]

Hollywood makes a lot of money on end-of-the-world movies, but why don’t they make an end-of-the-end-of-the-world story? Today’s second reading from Revelations is very cinematic, and the ultimate feel-good scenario. “The great distress” is over and the multitude of survivors that God rescued are rejoicing, honoring Him and enjoying a feeling of security they’ve never […]

Today’s first reading reminded me of a Chinese proverb: “Just as tall trees are known by their shadows, so are good men known by their enemies.”  The disciples had powerful enemies—after all, they were the same ones who had Jesus crucified—the Sanhedrin. And in today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, it’s apparent that […]

Thomas was weird—judging by these readings, anyway. He was with the disciples before Jesus’ crucifiction, so he must have witnessed the miracles Jesus performed. Jesus even raised Lazarus from the dead. So why was it so hard for him to believe that Jesus himself conquered death? This gospel reading makes Thomas seem faithless. In the […]