This is the third week in a row that Jesus offers the crowds a parable containing the image of a field. First there was the field in which the seed of God’s word was sown. Then came the field into which the enemy sowed the weed seeds. This week we...
The gospel tells us of a field. The field is the world. Jesus is the master of the field. Jesus sows seed – good seed, of course – the subjects of the kingdom. Hopefully that’s us. The seed grows and matures until the harvest. At the end of time the...
We are advised to take care of our heart, to watch our diet, to exercise, to undergo cardiovascular screening. But there is another heart, our spiritual heart. Jesus spoke often about our spiritual heart. Let us listen to some of what Jesus said about our heart: This people honors me...
The simplest truths are, sometimes, the deepest truths. Because such truths seem so simple and too familiar, sometimes, we take them for granted. In today’s Gospel Reading, we have such truths, with Jesus saying: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will...
Today we are reminded afresh by Jesus in the Gospel just what the cost of discipleship truly is. When He tells us that those who love father or mother, son or daughter more than Him are not worthy of Him, He is not telling us not to love our parents...
A martyr is one who gives his life for Christ and his Church. In every age the Church has brought forth many martyrs – men, women, and children – who surrendered their lives rather than deny the Master. These Christians chose to accept being thrown to the lions, crucified, beheaded,...
The miracle, that God gave his people manna from heaven to eat is wonderful indeed but is it any more wonderful than that he gave them oxygen to breathe or sunlight to walk in? We tend to classify the gifts of God according to how often he gives them to...
The Blessed Trinity is the central mystery and doctrine of the Christian Faith. In fact, it is more than a doctrine, which simply means teaching or belief; it is a dogma, a truth revealed by God, which must be believed by the faithful if they are to consider themselves Christian...
Do you know that birthday parties have a ritual and liturgy? They do; there is always the ritual of fire in the lighting of candles, the making of a wish, and then, with a big breath, breath blowing them out, followed by a hymn: “Happy Birthday to you…” You can...
Final moments with Jesus, Ascension, departure, a new presence, at the Father’s right hand, glorified. This Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord into heaven. In the Creed we confess our faith in Christ who “ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father”. But...