(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: http://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mass-Blog-for-Ascension-Sunday-2022.mp3) A recent job fair for people who’ve been unemployed for quite a while offered prospective employees a variety of tips—including how to dress for success. A collared shirt and jacket were highly recommended. But cynical hiring managers sometimes call this a “Sincere Suit,” based on […]

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: http://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mass-Blog-for-the-6th-Sunday-of-Easter-2022.mp3) Between pandemics and wars alone, fear seems to be consuming the world. The Methodist church on our city’s public square recently noted that trend on its messaging sign with a simple “Psalms 34:4.” Readers looking that one up will find this: “Magnify the LORD with me; […]

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: http://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mass-Blog-for-the-5th-Sunday-of-Easter-2022.mp3) The ancient battle between atheists and believers continues into this modern era of “information at your fingertips.” A new book titled After Disbelief purports to offer common ground to these two sides, describing God as humanity’s limitless ability to understand our world. Author Anthony Kronman […]

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: http://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Mass-Blog-for-the-4th-Sunday-of-Easter-2022.mp3) Do most of us live in “quiet desperation”? Maybe the answer depends on your faith in something bigger than yourself. The question was inspired by a quote from Transcendentalist philosopher Henry David Thoreau: “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” It comes from […]

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: http://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Mass-Blog-for-the-3rd-Sunday-of-Easter-2022.mp3) Most citizens of the free world have never been interrogated, but they know it’s a fearsome experience. Living under an oppressor’s boot will change you for better or worse—if you can survive it. Many who didn’t survive it are among Christianity’s greatest saints. And of […]

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: http://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Mass-Blog-for-the-2nd-Sunday-of-Easter-2022.mp3) For the original disciples, the distinctions between Jesus and “The Christ” were as stark as the differences between the priesthood and prophecy for many modern Christians. This Sunday we contemplate the mental transition the apostles had to make, from knowing Jesus to BEING Jesus for […]

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: http://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Mass-Blog-for-Palm-Sunday-2022.mp3) As Lent closes with Christ’s passion, we join Jesus’ disciples as they witness their master at his most vulnerable. He faces his own death, but the thorn that digs deepest into his flesh may be knowing the vulnerability of those he chose to complete his […]

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: http://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mass-Blog-for-the-5th-Sunday-in-Lent-2022.mp3) Whatever courage we take from Scripture comes from people who abandoned their past and welcomed God’s spirit into their hearts. This “living in the presence” gave the saints and prophets courage to be martyrs. They didn’t worry about what would happen to them corporally as […]

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: http://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mass-Blog-for-the-4th-Sunday-in-Lent-2022.mp3) The past couple years have broken millions of hearts. Almost everyone has been touched by the ravages of Covid, whether through illness, isolation, job loss, freedom loss, or the loss of a loved one. And now, people watching the news are witnessing unimaginable acts of […]