Poor King Herod. Which one? Take your pick. They were all pathetic individuals in their lust for power under the boot of the Roman Empire. At the root of that lust was fear; fear of losing the earthly trappings that…
“I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” How many of us have felt like…
The combination of readings for this Sunday’s celebration of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is like reading a Navy SEAL training manual. The SEALs are trained to operate in all environments, including climate extremes like the scorching…
“If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own.” What a timeless sentiment in Moses’ prayer in…
This is the weekend of Pentecost Sunday. We associate this day with the Holy Spirit’s possession of Jesus’ disciples, enabling them to speak many foreign languages. But we can also look at Pentecost as the day when people of many…
Christianity wouldn’t exist if Christ hadn’t been a smart businessman. Every successful business requires a succession plan, and this Sunday’s readings let us in on the culmination of that plan. Our gospel passage from John (jn 17:1-11a) puts us right…
I just returned from a business trip in Hannover, Germany, but it turned out to be a spiritual journey, as well. I arrived in Hannover late last Sunday morning and, having not yet attended Mass, asked the hotel attendant where…
We’re entering the fifth Sunday of Easter and before you know it, we’ll be in “Ordinary Time.” This is the timespan outside of the Easter and Christmas seasons in which we live our lives neither feasting nor repenting but simply…
Earlier this week The Wall Street Journal recommended a new source of inspiration to its readers: their own inner voice. In an article titled “Self Talk, or a Heart-to-Heart with Your Closest Friend,” author Elizabeth Bernstein describes self-talk as what…
After all the pain and sorrow Jesus went through before his earthly death, it’s delightful to see him having a bit of fun with his disciples in this Sunday’s gospel reading. That’s how I read it anyway. He’s toying with…