Roc Homily – All Saints Day 2015
“Blessed are the Poor in Spirit” – It seems to me that this year our feast day is about Saint-Making. How? By receiving Jesus instruction (Sermon on the Mount) as disciples – those willing to learn today – who have been part of the crowd of the lame, blind, and deaf. Today’s theme, as it were comes […]
024 – ThE BurDeN of PerfectionIsM ThE FifTh – The Terror of Human Vulnerability
THe BurdEn of Perfectionism ThE FifTh: The Terror of Human Vulnerability I’m not a perfectionist (probably an Idealist… slightly different) but I connect with perfectionists at the sheer terror of being vulnerable before God and others. Rather, I’ve learned to put other things – accomplishments, etc. – between me and God to distract God, others and […]
Roc Homily – Thirtieth Sunday Ordinary Time
“The Two Ways – Part 2” – The 9:00 am community at Gesu celebrated the baptism of a 7 week old boy, Jack. I held the little guy during the homily and spoke to him, having invited the congregation to listen in. Here’s a summary: The Wisdom Tradition grounds the basic gospel message of Jesus as a call […]
Some New Lyrics for the Year of Mercy
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee commissioned two composers to author a hymn and a song for the celebration of the Year of Mercy that begins December 8th. I was blest to have been called to compose a song… and surprised as well. Before reading further, would you reflect upon your definition of mercy, please? Thanks. OK then: Two scripture passages initially […]
023-THe BurdEn of Perfectionism IV – Ever a Mess; Ever on Trial
THe BurdEn of PErfEctionisM IV Many who bear the Burden of Perfectionism live with the constant the sense of always being on trial, right there before the judge and jury. The terror of judgment has to do with not being unassailably perfect! Hence, the person makes preemptive strikes against the self to fend of divine wrath: “I’m […]
Roc Homily – Nineteenth Sunday Ordinary Time 2015
“The Bread of Life Discourse III” – The several days I spent hiking in the Grand Canyon last week intensified this question for me: “What is the difference between that which is transitory and that which endures?” One way this gospel addresses this is through the (implicitly stated) connect between eating the bread of life and […]
Deep Calls to Deep