Deep Calls to Deep The Transfiguration – The Case, The Place, & The Face I
I never thought I’d come up with a catchy title for a homily, but there it is. The Case has to do with Peter, James, John, you, and me. The Place is the mountain. The Face… well, you get that. The Case: Peter, James, & John are a case. Yep. Why did Jesus take them […]
The Parables of the Kingdom II – The Weeds and Wheat
Punch line: “How do we pray in a divided world in a divided country with divided hearts?” Another way to put it is, “Why don’t ‘they’ resist the gospel?” Better, “Why do we hesitate to receive the gospel fully? Why do we hold back?” This parable in chapter thirteen of Matthew deals with all these […]
16th Sunday Ordinary Time – An Hospitable Beginning
This week’s gospel will challenge gardeners who compulsively pull weeds and perfectionists who obsess about ordering every inch of space. Killjoy warning: It’s about not pulling up weeds. So, let’s ease into it all. The Greek verb that introduces the parable of the weeds & wheat (plus two others) literally sets the table for us […]
14th Sunday Ordinary Time – Give a Listen…
I thought I would post my homily from Sunday today. There may be other studies to post, but this will sum up what I would write about. Questions? Please post. Blessings!–roc,sj
14th Sunday Ordinary Time – Seeking & Finding
I was quite surprised to weigh the value of the verb, “to find,” heurisko. It draws so many themes in Matthew together into a network that adds insight to this passage from Sunday’s gospel. Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle & humble in […]
14th Sunday Ordinary Time – “Come to me, all who are weary…”
I’ll lead into the post of my homily by highlighting two key words that I found just fascinatingly different from what I expected. Here is the first. “Come to me…” The Greek, deuete, is most often translated, “Come!” There is one exception that seems interesting and that leads into an informed guess… Matthew 4:18f […]
Thoughts on Independence Day…
God, I’m grateful for the beautiful land, 50 states of remarkable grandeur. I thank you for our founders who established the ideals of democracy, a new impulse in human history which began to be made real in 1776. I offer thanks for the many peoples who have come to the U.S. from so many nations, […]
5th of Easter – Mothers’ Day, Infant Baptism, & the Place of Encounter
The community at the 9 am Mass of the Church of the Gesu welcomed two 3 month-old baby girls into the faith of the Church – Nora & Quinn. What might “preparing a place” mean to the couples who undertake the religious formation of their daughters? Here’s a thought. Or two.
5th of Easter – Mothers’ Day & the Place of Encounter
Happy Mother’s Day to all who so celebrate today! It seems to me that moms give so much and probably don’t receive enough back from those whom they love. For any moms whose approach to life resembles mine – there is NEVER enough – this is for you. The gospel of John, I propose, speaks first […]
4th of Easter – Audio homily (finally)
Perhaps these 13 minutes can help you prepare for Sunday’s gospel. Or help reflect on last week’s gospel about Jesus, the gate for the sheepfold.
Deep Calls to Deep 