All four gospel writers report a healing miracle performed “from a distance.” The details differ — a synagogue official, a centurion, a royal official, a servant, a child — but the commonalities are Jesus seeking to steer the petitioners to greater faith and they continuing to ask for divine intervention. St. John’s account has the… Read More »

Were you following the news of the visit of the Holy Father to Iraq last week? He brought a message of peace, of inclusion, of reconciliation – a true message from God. What a contrast to 2003 when the US invaded Iraq not with peace and reconciliation but with a plan of battle that included… Read More »

The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican states as the conclusion everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. A closer look at the story exposes the flaw that made the conclusion inevitable. We’re told that the Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer… Read More »

Jesus told the inquiring scribe: “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” Not far — he got a “B” and not an “A.” Seems like he should have gotten an “A.” Didn’t he give the correct answer: love God with your whole heart and love your neighbor? Yes, but he missed the initial… Read More »

When you speak all these words to them, they will not listen to you either. Jeremiah might have been discouraged hearing that word of the Lord. Everyone wants their efforts to pay off, to succeed. The Lord wanted Jeremiah to continue his ministry even without the prospect of it doing much good — at least… Read More »

In the play, and subsequent movie, Steel Magnolias, Ouiser brings a load of tomatoes into the beauty salon. They ask why she is giving them away and Ouiser tells them that she hates tomatoes and would never eat one. Then why to you grow them they ask. She answers,  “Because I’m an old Southern woman… Read More »

The parable of the unforgiving debtor rings true to human nature. After the experience of needing to humble himself before his master the servant determined to lord it over someone he felt was beneath him. Our tendency is to think: I might not be much but I am at least better than this other guy.… Read More »

Among the first things Pope Francis did upon his election was to confess himself a sinner. With that starting point he could admit his need for the help of God to become better. The people of Nazareth were not willing to do that. When Jesus pointed out their past faults and failings they accused him… Read More »

Bishop Perry and I were reminiscing about the olden days when we were seminarians. In the early 70s the reforms of Vatican II were starting to transform the structures of the Church. One aspect of this reform was the formation of several organizations to promote the presence and activity of Black Catholics in the Church.… Read More »

It is  curious that the story Jesus told in Luke 15 is commonly called “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” “A man had two sons.” It couldn’t be more obvious that the parable is about both sons, not simply the younger. Perhaps the Church has chosen to emphasize the younger, “prodigal” son over the ages… Read More »