Media reaction to the recent United States Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the federal ban on partial-birth abortion reflected unfortunate confusion concerning the legitimate relationship between religion and political debate in American society. The case, Gonzales v. Carha
Fools Errand?Once more it appears that the United States, Israel, Palestine and their Arab neighbors might have a chance to make progress, if not toward peace, then at least toward alleviating the oppressive effects of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. The parties seriousness of commitment ab
The graduation season is finally over. All over the country young people have completed their studies and received the diplomas that, they hope, will unlock a future of their choosing. In Britain the ritual of graduation involves the donning of graduation hoods and gowns (hired at great expense for
As my spiritual directee described what she called “a meltdown” in talking with her husband, she sighed, “I just don’t care anymore.” Things were not going well at the parish where she is on staff. She was fatigued; her husband was not recovering well from an injury; sh
Our Sunday Gospel readings this summer from Luke rsquo s journey narrative provide a framework or outline for developing a sound Christian spirituality One essential element in any variety of Christian spirituality is prayer Luke rsquo s Gospel is an excellent place to learn about biblical prayer
Margaret Thatcher once claimed that the Parable of the Good Samaritan showed Jesus endorsement of the benefits of capitalism The then British Prime Minister argument ran that the hero of this famous story is the one who could afford to pay for the victim s care She surmised that the reason th
A Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion When we hear or read in the news of the day that a person went out of his or her way to help someone in need they are often called a good Samaritan This parable has become part of our language At first hearing the meanin
The Deuteronomy reading and the Psalm if the Ps 19 option is selected offers an opportunity to preach well about Torah both biblical and as observed by Jews today As Christians look from the outside the particulars of the law can seem burdensome pointless or worse as we may be tempted to
This Sunday is the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Daniel Harrington s reflections on the readings can be found here John R Donahue s column from 2001 is here And Dianne Bergant s column from 2004 is also available
First an old story that is worth repeating A man was in his dinghy on a lake when a large yacht rammed him and his dinghy sank As the man began to drown the crew of the yacht threw him a life jacket but the man yelled back I don t need help for God will soon save me Straight away anot
Once again this week America offers FREE access to The Word commentary This is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Diane Bergant writes that the readings for today offer us two conflicting images One is of abundance and rejoicing the other is of the cross and self-denial John R Donahue S
The apostle Thomas is best known for his stubborn refusal without further empirical evidence to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Perhaps because he is my patron saint I have always been dismayed--and admittedly defensive--about the moniker Doubting Thomas What follows is a playful midras
No one would choose to live without friends, even if he had all other goods. Rich people and holders of powerful positions seem to need friends…. In poverty also, and in other misfortunes, people think friends are the only refuge. —Aristotle, NicomacheanEthics, Book VII Having heard so m