Posts

Image
  Monday Feast of St. Joseph Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a A Righteous Man Church of St. Joseph, Nazareth In the last year or so before he passed away, my grandfather, my Pop Pop, moved in with my parents so that they could better manage his declining health.   And when it became clear that things were rapidly taking a turn for the worse, I made plans to fly home for a final visit.   Throughout the preparations and, in fact, every morning that I was home with him, I kept telling myself – I need to say the words!   I need to tell him how much I love him.   Unfortunately by the end of our visit, I still had not said the words.   A few months later I was on the phone with him for what I knew was the absolute last time we would talk.   And after all the harmless conversation about the weather and sport, I finally, finally, got up the courage to say – Pop Pop, I love you.   He responded with the same words and then we cried together!   I always look back on that moment with a sens
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  4 th Sunday in Lent Gospel – John 9:1-41 With the Eyes of Faith Baptism, Jordan River One evening, the whole family went out to dinner at a local restaurant.  Everyone got a menu, even the youngest, Aimee, who was 6 years old.  Since the conversation was an ‘adult’ one, Aimee sat there feeling ignored.  When the waitress took their orders, she came to Aimee last. “And, what would you like to eat, young lady?”  she asked.  Aimee answered, “I will have a hamburger, French fries and a large coke”. “No” , said her mother.  “She will have a small salad with low fat dressing, baked chicken, carrots and boiled rice”.  “And milk to drink” , chimed in her father. The waitress looked at Aimee and asked, “Would you like catsup or mustard on your hamburger”?  She said, “Catsup with some fried onions on top please.  Oh, and put a very small piece of lettuce on top to please my parents.  Thank you very much”.   Her parents sat there stunned! As the waitress walked away to
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Saturday - 3rd Week of Lent   Gospel – Luke 18:9-14 Let Us Pray! At Prayer, Church of Holy Sepulchre The Pharisee and the Tax Collector!   Two very different individuals – one an elite and highly regarded member of Jewish society, a religious leader.   The other – reviled and hated, looked on as a collaborator with the Romans, someone who cheats and steals from the people. The Pharisee offers God a prayer of thanksgiving, well, sort of!   What is he thankful for?   That he’s not like others, that he is better than everyone.   He is blind to the needs of those around him and selfishly puts himself on a pedestal.   The tax collector, on the other hand, can’t even raise his head to the heavens.   His is a prayer of repentance, sorrow for his sins and failings.   The Pharisee thanks the Lord that he is not greedy or dishonest like others; and yet, that is exactly what he is.   The tax collector, the one everyone assumes to be dishonest, greedy and uncaring, is honest with
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Friday - 3rd Week of Lent Gospel – Mark 12:28-34 Almost There Sea of Galilee Were you ever one of ‘those’ kids?   You know, the kids sitting in the back of their parents car on their way to vacation.   Maybe it was Disney World or Wisconsin Dells.   Wherever you were headed, there came a point (or a number of points) where you asked: “Are we there yet?”   And if you were really lucky, you heard those magic words.   Almost!   Almost There!   What a great feeling that was!   What joy and anticipation!   What wonders to look forward to! That must be something like what the scribe in today’s Gospel felt.   The reading starts off with the scribe asking Jesus a question.   Uh oh, we know where this is going!   Jesus is going to teach him a harsh lesson; this is not going to go well.   But quite the reverse happens.   The scribe asks Jesus what is the greatest commandment.   You think this must be a trick question.   There are actually 613 laws in the Torah.   How to choos
Post a Comment
Read more