Do you think that because these Galileans suffered… they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? Jesus addresses here the thinking that was rife in his day (and in ours as well) that suffering and misfortune come to us because of our sinfulness. Although unfortunate events might allow Jesus an opportunity to defend God against […]

The one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. This is a passage that has bedeviled commentators and confused ordinary readers. What on earth does it mean to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit? The language of Jesus here may even seem relatively strong for the Gospel of Luke. After all, many blasphemed […]

“Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He [Jesus] replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Some people, and even a few commentators, see this as a putdown of his mother by Jesus. Not so. It is instead heightening the importance […]

I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. All week we have been reading from the book of Job. Today marks the last reading from that book, and it ends on a fitting note. Job acknowledges that he was foolish to argue with […]

Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” In each of the synoptic gospels, Jesus predicts that he will suffer and die. In Mark and Matthew, after each prediction, the disciples not only fail to understand but show themselves […]

Someone may say, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come back?” Saint Paul faces us with this question in today’s reading. He goes on to tell us that this is a foolish question. “You fool!” he says, “What you sow is not brought to life unless it dies. And […]

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16). Paul is dealing here with the question of eating meat sacrificed to idols, which was often sold in the meat […]

Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath? This accusation was one the Pharisees often used of Jesus. The observance of the Sabbath was a central law, one of the ten commandments. This ancient law was stressed, especially after the Exile. Living in a pagan world, they needed to share their faith with […]

Passion of Saint John the Baptist God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong. John the Baptist was hardly born in a palace or a wealthy family. Yet, his influence and importance in the history of salvation were enormous. The […]

Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Last week we celebrated the assumption of Mary into heaven. This week we celebrate her queenship. This feast has at least tenuous roots in Scripture. When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth called Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, she is closely associated […]