All of us would like to believe that what we say should be judged on its own merits, but we know—actions speak louder than words. We can go to church, say all the right words, but sometimes our actions say something else. The accusation of hypocrisy is perhaps the number one criticism against members of formed religion—often including Christians. If children observe their parents being mean to each other, the children are going to learn meanness,
The imprint of our faith
What I share with you happens frequently as a lesson of God’s imprint on those of us who believe. Last week, I went to visit people in our hospital. One of the patients was lying on her back, didn’t seem to be breathing and her eyes were open starring at the ceiling. I introduced myself, but there was no response. She died I thought.
Open the door of your heart
There are times when people come to the office on Saturdays or Sundays and when I answer, often it is a person in need of financial aid and looking for material help. I have learned from too many experiences that the right thing to do is to take the time and listen to the person, even if I am suspicious. There have been times when I have met someone who truly was in need –in danger from an abusive spouse,
How many times must I forgive?
On this second weekend of September we have a special blessing for the parish as we celebrate the addition of our new St. Helena Memorial Plaza, our new meditation fountain with the life-sized statue of our Patroness. The sculptor will be here today and explain how he created the beautiful original work and the fountain. After we will move on to our new Parish Life Center,
Who do we say He is?
The Lord could have used many ways to establish his church and not rely on humans. He could have put angels in charge of running the Church with every move on earth dictated by him from heaven—no chance for human error. Instead, the Lord put the Church in the hands of people of faith. Good people, like Peter, but still people with all the limitations of being human.
Nonviolence is not surrender
From the Prophet Isaiah “…all who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Is56:6-7
Does anyone believe the Lord means only white peoples?
Isn’t Jesus worth the gamble of our changing our lives?
In the parables from our Gospel for this Sunday, we encounter God’s gracious rule— take the plunge, —it is worth whatever we must change or give up, finding peace and joy—and to find God. I went through a period of life—not giving up much of anything, in fact the opposite, my life was off the chart as far as church teachings and sin— all confessional matter of the past,
Most of us have weeds
When I used to visit juvenile hall regularly, it was humbly to meet many of the youth there and hear their stories of survival all they endured. Beneath the rough exteriors were just children waiting for kindness guidance and hope. None of them like all of us, chose the circumstances of their birth—which family, which environment. Some have survived physical and sexual abuse, or worse,
Do we realize living is the breath of God in us?
Christ is in us always Pentecost is a remarkable reminder of the sacred air we breathe. “…and then He breathed on them and said receive the Holy Spirit…” Pentecost, the foundation of the church in the gift of the Holy Spirit.
That Holy Spirit descended in many tongues to send out in all the languages of the world the great miracle of God’s sacrificial love through Christ.
What’s your favorite meal?
On Saturday we had two First Communions and it is a joy for the children, catechists, CRE Director and teachers in both schools and of course me. A few years ago at one of the rehearsals for First Communion in a different parish, I asked the children “what’s your favorite meal?” Of course I got lots votes for pizza, spaghetti, tacos, one child answered sushi—2nd graders are becoming so sophisticated today.