In St. Luke’s gospel Jesus is frequently depicted in prayer, particularly before a major decision such as the choice of his twelve apostles. “Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.” You have to wonder, though, if there were critics among those who were not chosen. “Why… Read More »

I draw a strange sort of consolation when the bible reports of the difficulties in the early Church. St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “It is widely reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans.” The Church in the US is trying to wrap its head… Read More »

Comic book superheroes are depicted nowadays as flawed characters. Batman is depressed, Iron Man is arrogant, Spiderman is full of angst, Superman is conflicted, Wonder Woman – well, Wonder Woman is perfect but then what should you expect, she’s a woman. There is even a super family, the Incredibles, who strive with little success to… Read More »

Today the Church remembers the birth of Mary (nine months after the Immaculate Conception.) The gospel readings tell the story of the birth of Jesus and the ancestry of Joseph — nothing about the birth of Mary since the Bible doesn’t say anything about her birth! Perhaps the alternative lesson from St. Paul provides the… Read More »

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus commands: “Stop Judging.” St. Paul picks up that theme:  “Do not make any judgment before the appointed time.” But we make judgments all the time! Which politician should I vote for? How would I rate this restaurant? In trying to understand the Biblical commandment I recalled an incident where… Read More »

St. Luke gives a more filled out portrait of the call of the first disciples of Jesus — two pair of fishermen brothers. Why fishermen? Why not his fellow carpenters or priests or farmers? Fishermen have to work get ready to go out on the water. Once they are out there they continue to ply… Read More »

The Bible suggests that it is really not that big a deal to believe in God. After all, the devil believes in God.  When Jesus did an exorcism, the “demons also came out from many, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God.’” What is a big deal is bringing healing, bringing wholeness into a hurting world.… Read More »

From now until Advent the daily gospel reflection will be taken from St. Luke. He seems to have used St. Mark’s gospel as the framework for telling the story of Jesus but chooses to stress or emphasize particular parts of the story. For example, in Luke’s gospel geography plays a major role. Everything leads to… Read More »

Scholars refer to the end of St. Matthew’s Gospel as “the great commission.” As Jesus ascends to heaven he tells the disciples to “make disciples,” to baptize, and “to teach them all I have commanded you.” Those tasks have guided the ministry of the Church ever since. A famous missiologist, Tony Gittens, suggests that we… Read More »

We all want to be good and to do what’s right.  Those of us who gather as church today desire to obey the scripture which says: “observe carefully the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you.”  For believers, doing God’s will is what matters. We read our bibles, listen to the preachers, follow the… Read More »