Deep Calls to Deep About “Love Your Enemies” 6-14-16
The right response to Jesus’ teaching, “Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you,” is “You’ve got to be kidding! Are you living in the real world, Jesus? Click.” It’s the right response because it reveals where we actually live. It’s a biblical ink blot test! Perhaps then we can hear this teaching from the […]
Roc Homily for the Eleventh Sunday Ordinary Time 2016
Yes, it is still the Year of Mercy. And, today’s gospel contrasts two different ways of dealing with Mercy. The first is Simon the Pharisee, who acts as an observer-critic, as one completely detached from Jesus. The other is Susanna (I gave her a name; every one needs a name) who trusted Jesus would receive her as she […]
An anniversary worth recalling… GM Hopkins
Gerard Manley Hopkins: Jesuit Priest and Poet (1844–1889) Gerard Manley Hopkins was born in England to a prosperous Anglican family. Though he excelled at Oxford and seemed destined for a brilliant career, these expectations were dashed when he announced his decision in 1866 to become a Roman Catholic, and then a Jesuit priest. A gifted poet, […]
Roc Homily for the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ 2016
In the homily, I asked people to meditate on their open palms – what does this gesture elicit? Might doing it mindfully help be present to the Christ whom we receive? And, I asked folks to reflect on meanings of the ‘breaking of the bread’. Lastly, how can we hungry people tolerate our hunger long […]
A Reflection on Memorial Day 2016
We do remember those who died in battle to maintain the integrity of the U.S. – 620,527 in the last 100 years: 116,516 in WWI / 405,399 in WWII / 33,686 in the Korean Conflict / 58,209 in Vietnam / 4,488 in Iraq / 2,229 in Afghanistan We do remember all who serve in the military today. Let us […]
Preparing for the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ 2016
As a way of preparing to celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ 2016, I post this interview from 2008 for Catholic Comments Podcast with Creighton University Theology faculty, Dr. Wendy Wright & Dr. John O’Keefe. You’ll hear some history and theology. I did not name the encyclical of John Paul II […]
Happy 75th Birthday, Bob Dylan!
I’m supposed to dine with you sometime, Bob. That’s what our rabbi told me anyway – me and Rev. Dr. Lucy Forster-Smith, former head chaplain at Macalester College, now chaplain at Harvard University. Just before Rabbi Bernie Raskas (God rest his soul) was going to Jerusalem for the summer in 1999, Lucy and I had […]
Roc Homily for Feast of the Most Holy Trinity 2016
Rather than speaking about the Trinity (still a mystery!) I reflected on our immersion in the life of the Trinity in the liturgy. See whether it helps. Blessings! –roc,sj
Roc Homily 2 for Feast of Pentecost 2016
From earlier in the day (11:30 am Mass), this homily has more word study and background from Luke’s gospel leading into the descent of the Spirit. Happy Feast! –roc,sj
Roc Homily for Feast of Pentecost 2016
Homily for Pentecost (6 pm Mass) I find three things in the reading from Acts of the Apostles that speak to this feast this year: regeneration, purification, & mission. What seems like the next better step in our spiritual lives toward living a more mature discipleship? How do we in fact pray, “Come, Lord Jesus, send […]
Deep Calls to Deep 