Memorial of Saint Pio of Pietralcino In today’s gospel reading, Jesus sends his apostles out on their own to proclaim the kingdom of God. He gives them power over demons and power to cure the sick. He tells them that he has given them all they need, and they don’t need to take any extra […]

Today’s Gospel reading offers us again the challenge of the Beatitudes, the call to not follow the way of the world, but to respond to the words of Jesus we hear at each and every Eucharist. Jesus is the bread broken for us, and the blood poured out for us. He commands us to do […]

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus confronts the scribes and Pharisees with a stinging assault. This is not an isolated incident as, throughout the gospels, Jesus and this group leaders had a very contentious relationship. Jesus would respond to their efforts to fault his adherence to the Law by taking them to the heart of the […]

Today’s reading from Matthew encourages us to act on our responsibility to assist each other in becoming the person God wants us to be. This “fraternal correction” often requires that we point out in charity the failings of others. The gruesome murder of George Floyd on March 25 at the hands of white policemen was […]

Saint Mary Magdalene Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene. What we learn of Mary from the gospels is that she was a faithful disciple, one of a small group of women who accompanied the men who followed Jesus and were schooled in his message and witnessed his miracles and the power of […]

These days there is much said about what our post-pandemic world will be like. What can the followers of Jesus and people of faith offer to this conversation? The prophet, Hosea, in today’s first reading, offers us a path. “Save for yourself justice, reap the fruit of piety. Break up for yourself a new field […]

The Nativity of John the Baptist John the Baptist is a significant figure mentioned in all four gospels. His birth was announced to his elderly father by an angel in the Holy of Holies, and he leaped in his mother’s womb when he heard the voice of Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus. His next […]

Keep me, O Lord, for you are my help! These have been very rough months for all of us as we try to cope with the impact of the Coronavirus. We have been confined to our homes; some have lost jobs and are financially fearful; we cannot mourn the deaths of our loved ones as […]

Our two readings today focus on farewells. Paul bids an emotional farewell to the community of Ephesus, where he had spent three years teaching and nourishing them in the faith. He consoles them, “I now commend you to God and that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance […]