Are you a patient person? Are you patient with yourself, with others, with the world? Or do you like things done—and done perfectly—lickety-split?  Do you like immediate results? And only the best results? I admit I can be impatient—with myself, with others, ok, let me just admit it: with the whole world, and, yes, even with … Read more

People imagine their god intervening in the world to different degrees. Once, God is like a Watchmaker, Occasionally, God is a tinkerer for some but not for all. Constantly, well we are mere Marionettes! The whole idea of a tinkering God suggests that God might have created one thing, later decided to change it, or … Read more

It’s one of my favorite memories from my days at Mother of Mercy House: We were celebrating Thanksgiving Day Mass in our tiny chapel.  An elderly man peeked in our window, saw us praying and decided to come in and join us. It was obvious that he wasn’t Catholic as he didn’t know the responses but … Read more

This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, or Trinity Sunday! We priests often joke that a new seminarian is often appointed to preach on this day by the Pastor because no one can explain the Holy Trinity! I know that many will suggest that the Trinity is an obscure doctrine that we’re … Read more

Dear Friends, Blessed and Joyful Pentecost: the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—given to ALL who were present for that great and mysterious event!  There is so much I could say about this pivotal moment. But you know me: never one to say too much…  For now, I just want to share with you a quote from … Read more

Ah May: traditionally, for Catholics, the month of Mary. But which Mary: Mary, inviolate? Mary undefiled? Mary Immaculately Conceived? Mary every docile and obedient to God? Mary dressed in blue? These are all ok, I guess. A tad simplistic for me. And the stress on her virginal purity always smells like patriarchal control to me. … Read more

In our Gospel this Sunday we hear,  “Jesus said to his disciples:‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.You are already pruned because of the word that I … Read more

“See what love…” These are three of my favorite words in Scripture. See what love! I really think these words from John’s first letter (from the Second Reading for the Fourth Sunday of Easter) could be a great mantra for us to repeat often throughout the day: See what love! There are so many reasons to shout … Read more

Ah, the Good Shepherd returns! It is always one of my favorites, if but overly used at times. Seeing Jesus as the example of being a good shepherd makes sense, because that was one of the major occupations throughout Palestine in His day. His listeners knew about them. People that cared for flocks of sheep … Read more

So, what do you think of when you hear the words “eternal life”? We hear these words quite often in religious circles, and especially during Easter Season. I would bet for most folks that phrase conjures up ideas and images of “life after death” or “going to heaven” (instead of hell!). After all, Jesus conquered death, … Read more

“They were startled and terrified,” Luke tells us of the disciples when they saw the Risen Lord. Of course!  As Robert Barron says, there were two reasons for this: First, this is a strange and unknown phenomenon. A dead man is now alive again? Who wouldn’t be startled and terrified? Second, the disciples are terrified because … Read more

Imagine this:  harmony, health, and wholeness in all aspects of your life. Picture all your relationships flourishing: your relationships with God, with everyone in your life, with creation and even with yourself. Think of our entire world being in a state where everything is as it ought to be, as God intends for it to be.  Sounds nice, doesn’t it? … Read more