Deep Calls to Deep Holy Thursday
First, John connects the Foot Washing scene (ch. 13) with Jesus’ death on the cross through the noun, telos – Knowing his hour had come… “He loved them to the end, to the finish, to the fullness.” Then, before Jesus died, John wrote: John 19:28 (NRSV) — 28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was […]
As Lent concludes… A personal reflection
Thanks to all who shared how Lent went for you. It seems that you covered the gamut from 1-10. I was surprised at how many registered above 6! It’s not what I hear from folks after Mass or in confession. So, here’s my story. I resolved to give away 8 things a week for Lent, […]
Why did Judas betray Jesus?
Here’s how I interpret what the gospel of John says in 12:3-6: Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who […]
Palm Sunday 2017 – Homily audio
Palm Sunday’s reading of the Passion seemed to ask for a very brief word in reply. Four minutes, fifty-four seconds. Happy Holy Week! –roc,sj
How’s Lent been – on a scale of 1-10?
Are we where yet? The end of the inconvenience of Lent? End of winter? End of suffering? Or, beginning of Spring? Beginning of a new life? Beginning of joy? Would you please answer the following. I plan to reflect on my own Lenten resolutions and how I did with them and why next week. Your responses would […]
5th SUN LENT – Hurt people hurt people…
The “other part of the story” that came to light for me about the raising of Lazarus (while studying to preach) was opened up by the insightful commentary on the gospel of John, “Life Abounding,” by Brendan Byrne, SJ. It’s about the Pharisees. The gospel on Sunday ended with verse 45, which in fact, is […]
5th SUN LENT – “What would you say to Jesus…?”
This came up at a Saturday lunch conversation. “What would you say to Jesus if you were raised from the dead after four days?” I asked that this morning at our celebration of the 5th Sunday of Lent. I heard a chorus of “thank you!” That’s sweet. However, think about it… It’s now four days since you […]
True Self, False Self, Soul????
As I learned from Ernest Becker’s review of 19th century psychology (Denial of Death, chapter 9), scientists opted for the term “self” to mean one’s history of neuroses going back to childhood that could be studied and understood as a path to happiness. 19th century science opposed religion pretty much at every point. Becker names this as […]
4th SUN LENT – Tug-o’-war with God
What are we to do about the tug-o’-war we play with God? Deny it? Accept it grudgingly? Red badge of courage? Name it for what it is? God pulls me toward living completely in trust and surrender. I pull God toward my will to make myself great. Yep. As best I can discern, I grew up […]
Deep Calls to Deep 