A rich young man who had the best the world could offer – wealth and security – came to Jesus because he lacked one thing (Mark 10:17-27). There was something essential, something in his heart, that material wealth couldn’t satisfy. He had many possessions, but he didn’t have “eternal life”;...
As I read this Sunday’s gospel, I wondered how divorced people feel to hear what Jesus is saying. It’s no secret that all of our communities are made up of people who have for one reason or another, divorced or annulled their marriage. In many cases these people have remarried. ...
In today’s gospel Jesus’ follows his dreadful parable about scandal in the Church and millstones around the neck with a thoroughly rational but breathtakingly radical teaching, “Cut it off!” Too often I see in the hospital men with red, swollen feet, and blackened toes. Obesity, alcohol, diabetes and tobacco, take...
The question ‘Who do you say I am?’ was correctly answered by Peter last week. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit he stated: You are the Christ. Jesus immediately orders them, and orders them strictly, not to tell anyone about him because another important question remains unanswered, ‘What is...
In many situations asking the right question is critically important… but coming up with the right question at the right time is an art. If a scientist doesn’t ask the right question he or she will follow paths that do not lead to solving a problem that confronts them. If...
We have a Gospel today that calls our attention – not just for the miracle, but the way Jesus accomplishes it. He heals a deaf man, but not by a simple word or touch. He takes the man apart from the crowd, places his finger in the ears, touches his...
The readings today take us back to the way God intended to work with his people. He called them together as a people and gave them the gift of his law. The law is a wisdom God shared with his people. It finds its fullness in the Ten Commandments, which...
Today’s readings prompt me to share some thoughts with you about choices, decisions, and commitments. Each and every day we consider choices presented to us, and then we make our decisions. There comes a moment when our consideration ends and we raise a choice to the level of our wills,...
In 2001 Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, published a small book entitled “God Is Near Us”. One of the chapters in that book is headed The Presence of the Lord in the Sacrament. It makes wonderful reading. He begins this chapter with the very text of the Gospel of today’s Mass: He...
Last week Jesus offered the people true bread, the bread of God, which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. They had responded enthusiastically: Sir … give us that bread always. Jesus’ reply was unexpected and challenging: I am the bread of life. He who comes to...