Considering the presence of Christ in our Church and in our lives
The author of the Letter to the Ephesians beautifully proclaims the presence of the risen Christ in these words: “The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill the entire universe” (Ephesians 4:10). Christians know that the Risen and Ex...Read full story »
Monday, March 25, 2013
Examining two ways to count Lent's 40 days
Last week we saw how Lent had a double focus. The primary focus is on the preparation of new Christians for initiation on Holy Saturday after a period of faith formation and conversation, and a second focus emphasizes the ongoing conversion of God’s people to become more Christ-like as...Read full story »
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Lent is about making real changes, not counting days
Every now and then parishioners ask the questions “How do we count the 40 days of Lent?” or “Do Sundays count as days of penance?” I wonder – what might be the motive(s) behind such questions? Is it a desire to do just the minimum expected of us? This is qu...Read full story »
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
God will provide a pope ready to lead our church of 'wheat and weeds'
This past Friday and Sunday, with the snow and sometimes sleet coming down, my replacement rental remained in the church parking lot at St. Matthew’s Church, Mt. Vernon. No sense taking any chances to find another slick spot on the highway! Once in a lifetime is one time too many. Perh...Read full story »
Monday, March 04, 2013
Pope Benedict's decision shows humility, trust in the Holy Spirit
Almost before the alarm clocks went off, news traveled throughout the U.S. on Monday, Feb. 11 that Pope Benedict XVI was resigning the papacy, an unprecedented event in our lifetime, but not in the history of the Catholic Church, we have since learned. Then the “alarm bells” star...Read full story »
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Appreciating the simple beauty of the Rite of Election
God’s call to the Prophet Jeremiah is described in these words: “The word of the Lord came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you” (Jeremiah 1:5). Psalm 139 praises “The All-kn...Read full story »
Thursday, February 14, 2013
