The Use of Reason
As a Catholic, the use of reason is a term I grew up with many years ago. The Church set it at the age of seven, when a child knew the difference between right and wrong. Throughout my life, the use...
View ArticleSeeing God
As a lead in the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly known as RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), I often find the initial discussions about God challenging. How do we...
View ArticleAre We Uncommitted Spiritual Commuters?
This gospel passage (Mark 10:46-52) is the setting in which the promise made by God through the prophet Jeremiah (31:7-9) unfolds. Jericho is an oasis with an abundance of vegetation and water. In it,...
View ArticleMaking the Decision About Who Will Lead Us
Jesus is calling each one of us to follow him without reservation. “What about my problems?” we might ask. Maybe we have financial problems, family issues or difficulties with our health. How is...
View ArticleRegarding Asking, Seeking, and Knocking
In Matthew’s Gospel (7:7-8), Jesus reminds: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks,...
View ArticleDon’t Forget to Love Your Neighbor
Forgiveness and reconciliation are necessary virtues in the Christian life. I am reminded of that now that we are in the midst of a contentious presidential election. At St. Benedict’s Monastery we...
View Article46 Years Ago
October 16, 2024 marked the forty-sixth anniversary of the election of Pope St John Paul II. We all remember his words spoken from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Monday, October 16, 1978: We...
View ArticleThe “Rail” on Which Our Life Is Supposed to Run
Today’s reflection for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time is all about the law that must guide our every thought, choice, action and reaction. Today’s reflection is about the “rail” on which our life,...
View ArticleSurrendering to God’s Love
When I speak publicly, I often stress the importance of forgiveness. We all have times when we need to be forgiven, and when we need to forgive others. In His ministry, Jesus often spoke of...
View ArticleCasting a Cold Eye on Francis’ Letter on Literature, Part III: Two More of...
Cast a cold eyeOn life, on deathHorseman, pass by! –epitaph: W.B.Yeats Next up, the letter’s performative homage to the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius Loyola. Yes, with any of the several more...
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