Author: wpadmin

“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple,” Jesus declares in the Gospel. Those are startling words. Yet, we know that Jesus loved his own family and friends, even sinners, that he healed and helped those in need, and then giving wholly of himself to his death on the cross. So what was he saying with these hard words? I think he was challenging us to get our priorities right, to recognize that half-hearted discipleship will not sustain us; that lukewarm faith will not nourish us; and that we must trust fully in him if we are to live with hope for the future and in peace in this passing chaotic…

In the Gospel just proclaimed, Jesus was at a dinner and the people were “observing him carefully.” The fact is that he was also observing them carefully with the intent to teach them. Jesus was not teaching good manners or how to get ahead. He teaches good discipleship and how to get to heaven. Our readings this week encourage us to approach social gatherings with humility. Jesus used a wedding banquet as an example. The ultimate wedding banquet of course is heaven. When priests get together, one of the topics is inevitably weddings. We are not taught in seminary how to choreograph a wedding, though we must. We learn it the hard way. It is amazing how complex weddings can become. Many in families have strong views on how weddings…

“Will only a few people be saved,” Jesus was asked. Some scripture scholars tell us that the questioner was likely expecting Jesus to affirm the belief that Gentiles, foreigners could not be saved. So he must have been taken aback with the response. ‘The gate is narrow,’ Jesus basically answered, ‘but open to all’ but not automatically. In the first reading from Isaiah, the Lord said, “I come to gather nations of every language . . . they shall bring their brothers and sisters from all the nations.” Jesus said in the Gospel reading, “people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and we will recline at table in the kingdom of God.” The universal Catholic Church includes those from all nations…

“Do you think I have come to establish peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” Those are startling words from the man we call the Prince of Peace. We can almost see some who heard those words turn toward one another with puzzled looks on their faces. Did he say he came to disrupt family life by turning father against son, mother against daughter? I thought he was about love, unity, forgiveness, reconciliation. He is. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but real peace, not a peace that sugar coats reality, not peace at any price, not peace that does not save. Most of us can attest to the fact that living the teachings of Christ and standing up for His truth can bring division. It has…

Our readings today encourage us to evaluate the depth of our faith. Is it secure enough to assure that we are prepared for the Day of the Lord? One of the beautiful benefits of the gift of faith is that it allows us to look to the future with hope. In the 2nd reading, from Hebrews, the writer raises up for us the model of Abraham, our Father in faith, and his wife Sarah who trusted in God’s ways as unfathomable as they might have seemed. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom invites us to recall the faith of the Israelites as Moses under the guidance of the Lord led them toward the Promised Land. The reality is that we can question God’s ways and therefore lose hope.…

“For though one be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Yet the acquiring of possessions is an important influence in our country’s economy. I like to think that I am not lured into the mindset of the accumulation of things. Yet I have on occasion purchased items over the internet. Ever since I constantly receive e-mails inviting me to buy more with the enticing line that those who have purchased what I did also purchased these other items. Temptation to accumulate possessions is as present as it was in the parable of the rich man in today’s Gospel. I am not faulting this business approach. I am faulting me for giving into this temptation for things. As I anticipate retirement and vacating the Bishops House for my successor,…

It was Saint Augustine I think who said, “Man is a beggar before God.” Our readings encourage us that when we beg for what are right and just, our loving Father answers. In our first reading Abraham begs God to not destroy Sodom a city consumed by sin because in the midst of it all there are good people, even saints. God responds favorably to Abraham’s persistent prayer. Our psalm response declares and reassures, “Lord, on the day I called for help you answered me.” St. Paul in the 2nd reading reminds us that we received new life in baptism when as free gift we became adopted children of God and therefore can call on God as our Father in our prayer. The Gospel reminds us that Jesus prayed regularly…

Can you imagine welcoming Jesus into your home? Actually we ought to do so each day though not as described in the Gospel reading. Having guests in our homes though can be nerve wracking. When I was a pastor and the bishop was coming, we would all be stirred up.  Now I stir others up. Of course all of us want such visits to go well, to be hospitable and to be fitting. Each of us approaches such situations in our own ways. Some are well organized and have it all together. Others, no matter how much we plan, these events seem to be on the brink of disaster. In part it is temperament or expectations or priorities. Mary and Martha, sisters, likely had different temperaments, expectations and priorities which…