“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

The world has simply become more caustic by any measure. The interactions on social media, between persons, and against the vulnerable, and those who identify as LGBTQ, and the foreigner and refugee are all more acidic and debilitating. The political rhetoric is nothing short of vile. We, as a people, have become less patient, less … Read more

Are you obedient? Let’s face it: most of us probably cringe at that word, “obedient.” We might become defensive, asking, “Obedient to whom?”  It conjures up images of being submissive, being subject to somebody—and that is not at all popular in our autonomous society. No, obedience certainly isn’t in vogue. But what if the question were … Read more

If You Think We Aren’t Needed… As I greeted folks departing from Mass last Sunday, I realized how fortunate we are to be a progressive and truely welcoming Franciscan Catholic Parish. I was reminded how needed we are; not so much myself, but all of us together that make us so special, and this place … Read more

. Imagine. Did you every try to imagine a scene in your mind: maybe you stir up a view of your “happy place” when you can’t be there, trying to conjure up for yourself the peace and joy that place brings you? Or maybe you bring to mind a particularly special time from the past … Read more

Poverty comes in many forms. It isn’t just financial. Trust me, as a priest I find that some of the poorest people I’ve met in my journey have had the largest bank accounts and the weakest spirituality. The love of things that will pass often drive people to insanity as they chase the elusive dream of happiness … Read more