Names are important All of us like to be called by our names It indicates recognition and even friendship We are annoyed when someone gets our name wrong We are embarrassed when we do not know or forget the name of someone we should know When others make fun of our name or deliberately misprono
The Word
Posted inThe Word
People of the Promise
quot But you promised rdquo Most parents have heard this lament from their children more than once A promise is a declaration that something will or will not happen A promise indicates what may be expected A promise demands and elicits trust The Scripture texts for the Fourth Sunday of Adven
Posted inThe Word
Joyful Witnesses
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday from the Latin verb for ldquo rejoice rdquo The opening line in Paul rsquo s list of imperatives at the end of 1 Thessalonians captures the spirit of the day ldquo Rejoice always rdquo Besides the theme of joy running throug
Posted inThe Word
Whose Kingdom?
If you want to drive a New Testament scholar crazy start talking about how we bring about the kingdom of God Such talk is both unbiblical and bad theology It is God rsquo s kingdom to bring when and how God sees fit Our task and privilege is to bear witness to and cooperate in God rsquo s work
Posted inThe Word
There’s Something About Mary
Many people even some with extensive Catholic education confuse the immaculate conception of Mary and the virginal conception of Jesus According to the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception Mary was conceived without original sin and so was prepared to be the mother of Jesus In this respect Mar
Posted inThe Word
Waiting in Hope
For most Christians the First Sunday of Advent is a sign of hope We begin a new cycle in the church year We look forward to celebrating Christmas and getting into the ldquo holiday rdquo spirit And we think about the coming of Christ and what that event has meant in our lives and our history Th
Posted inThe Word
Let All Be at Peace!
quot Let all be at peace rdquo This phrase from the Rule of St Benedict envisions a situation in which all members of the community are free of anxiety receiving what they need This understanding of peace corresponds with the biblical concept referred to on the Thirty-second Sunday ldquo a l
Posted inFaith, The Word
Use It or Lose It!
One is amazed by the results of an Internet search for the phrase ldquo use it or lose it rdquo The listing is easily a seven-figure number A good portion of this listing deals with issues like free speech brain function and muscle tone to name but a few These are excellent examples for it i
Posted inThe Word
It’s About Time!
We are an impatient people and the advantages of the electronic age have only exacerbated this We have fast food instant replay and news bites We become anxious when we have to stand in line at a checkout counter and we complain when a homily is more than 10 minutes long I know people who will
Posted inThe Word
Who’s Responsible Here?
It was only a few months ago that we reflected on religious leadership Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Today rsquo s readings place this theme before us again The frequency with which the Bible considers religious leadership points out both its importance and its challenge Because of human