ldquo Faith is the realization of what is hoped for rdquo Heb 11 1 Faith and hope are two of the theological virtues They are called theological because they have their origin and goal in God While theologians make precise distinctions between them in the Bible they tend to blend together be
The Word
Posted inFaith, The Word
Both Mary and Martha
The Martha-and-Mary narrative also challenges us to balance practical action and contemplation.
Posted inThe Word
Surprising Teachings on Prayer
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
Posted inThe Word
Who Is Your Neighbor?
The term good Samaritan means someone who helps a stranger in need It derives from the parable contained in today rsquo s reading from Luke 10 A man had been beaten robbed and left for dead on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho Both a priest and a Levite mdash members of Israel rsquo s ldquo cl
Posted inThe Word
Follow the Leader
At this time of year around Independence Day and with the upcoming presidential campaign in view public debate is focusing on leadership Last Sunday we began Luke rsquo s journey narrative in which Jesus serves as the leader for his first disciples and for us as well In today rsquo s selection f
Posted inThe Word
Decrease and Increase
We usually associate John the Baptist with the Advent season But here in early summer we encounter John once more in order to celebrate his birth on June 24 So important is this solemnity that today it replaces the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time The New Testament does not supply precise informa
Posted inThe Word
Traveling Time
Summer is a good time to travel Many of us interrupt the normal flow of life and go elsewhere for a while Travel allows us to meet different people and see different things and we often come away refreshed and renewed At least that is what we hope Today we begin a journey with Jesus and his di
Posted inThe Word
Sacrament of Ongoing Christian Life
During the Easter season a major concern in the Sunday Scripture readings was how the movement begun by the earthly Jesus might continue after his death resurrection and ascension These readings showed that we can have a personal relationship with the glorious risen Christ From that relationship
Posted inThe Word
Forgiven Sinners
One of the great themes in Luke rsquo s Gospel is forgiveness of sins As we return this Sunday to the Lectionary readings for Ordinary Time today rsquo s texts place before us three forgiven sinners David Paul and a ldquo sinful woman rdquo These three figures remind us of the horror of sin
Posted inThe Word
The God of Truth and Love
Two of the most important words in any language that I know are truth and love As we observe Trinity Sunday and reflect on the Christian doctrine of God as three persons in one God the Scripture readings also remind us that the God of the Christian Bible mdash Father Son and Holy Spirit mdash is