One of the more modern manifestations of the original sin that introduced man to his mortality is the survivalist movement. These are people who dedicate themselves to hoarding supplies and mastering self-defense techniques to protect themselves from either man-made or…
Anyone who doubts the relevance of the scriptures to modern life should come to mass once in a while and listen carefully. This Sunday’s readings echo the news of the week. I just saw a network news story on how…
It’s amazing how quickly news is spread these days. Reports of the bloody conflicts in the Middle East, Europe and Asia are sent globally and instantly thanks to fighters who use i-phones as weapons. This era of tweeted world news…
If you’re a parent, this Sunday’s readings offer a rare opportunity to put yourself in God’s place. If you’re an older parent, think back to when your child would do something they were supposed to do so they could earn…
There are many who accuse Catholics of idolatry. They look at our churches and statues and call them props that we not only don’t need but can’t need. One critic I read recently stated “If you love your wife, you…
Distance runners and songwriters will appreciate the readings from this Sunday’s mass celebrating the feast of the Lord’s presentation. They’re about the process of purification. Done right, it can result in a pain that “hurts so good.” Runners get this…
The greatest speechwriters will tell you that the secret to their craft is this: Tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, and then … tell them what you told them. There’s nothing new in that lesson. In…
When Adam and Eve evicted themselves from paradise, they also destroyed a beautiful edifice. God was just establishing his Kingdom within them and they turned their rich colony of life into a sterile husk—unfit for life. Since then our Father…
This Sunday’s first reading from Isaiah gives us a surprising assessment of the coming Savior’s power. “He shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed…
Our church uses simple symbols to communicate complex themes. The crucifix is the most important, signifying that God so loved the world that he sent his son to die for our sins. Then there’s the fish, which has become a…