The prophet Habakkuk wrote during a time of great distress for Israel. The nation was defeated, the people were exiled, the temple was destroyed. In the midst of great suffering he offers a vision of hope from God. “Write down the vision: For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will… Read More »

Seventeenth century artist Georges de la Tour painted several versions of The Repentant Magdalene. They picture the saint holding a skull, obviously meditating on death in a scene dramatically lit by a single candle. The custom of Memento mori (Latin: “remember that you have to die”) is the practice of reflection on mortality, especially as a means of considering… Read More »

Jeremiah’s call for “a new covenant” is particularly timely today. The number of people who are estranged from the Church are growing. The way to this new covenant comes in answering the question that Jesus posed to his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” Coming to know Jesus will create the covenant written… Read More »

One time Jesus was taking a break and someone was bothering him. And not just any someone but a woman, a foreigner, a pagan. Jesus and his chosen  twelve couldn’t do everything. Since they are only a few, they would concentrate their efforts on “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman… Read More »

Even though Israel has a long coastline on the Mediterranean, they turned their back on the sea. They were not seafarers the way their neighbors were. Look at what happened to Jonah! The sea was a dangerous place filled with monsters. In fact, when the Book of Revelation envisions a “new heaven and a a… Read More »

At the beginning of his Gospel St. Mark depicts the baptism of Jesus. The Heavenly voice speaks to him, “You are my beloved son. I am well pleased with you.” To begin his ministry, Jesus had to know who he was, the beloved son. As his ministry is winding down St. Mark tells of the… Read More »

Once upon a time a young man asked his mother for one hundred bucks. When she refused he said, “You never do anything for me.” She exploded and proceeded to name how, from the first moment of his existence she had fed and clothed and educated and comforted him. He muttered under his breath, “Yeah,… Read More »

Don’t stick your neck out, goes a common English proverb. If you take that risk, if you are too bold you will get it chopped off. That was literally true for John the Baptist who told the truth to power and paid for it with his life. It was also true of Jesus and Jeremiah… Read More »

“The priests and prophets” were so critical of the prophet Jeremiah that they told him, “You must be put to death!” The people of Jesus hometown also criticized him. ‘”Where did this man get all this?’ And they took offense at him.” They didn’t seek his death yet, but that was coming. All of which is… Read More »

“Every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” These words of Jesus are a model for us today. Some insist that the old ways are best and try to resurrect them as a cure… Read More »