Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Mark 12:17) In the context of Rome’s suppression of Jewish hopes for religious and political autonomy in Jesus’ day, the payment of taxes to the empire was abhorrent to the children of Israel. Jesus’ enemies pose the […]

Always with you. Always there. To say that mothers are always there for their children is not realistic. Tough times and situations separate children from their mothers; mothers from their children. Even the concept of ‘mother’ has different meanings and applications: fathers, aunts, grandparents, neighbors fill the role of ‘mothering’ children. Such are the times, […]

Pentecost Sunday “Come, Lord Jesus! Send us your Spirit! Renew the face of the earth!” This is the refrain to a popular hymn by David Haas. It’s certainly an appropriate hymn for the feast of Pentecost. However, in our current health crisis, with a dangerous virus circling the globe, it seems all the more meaningful. […]

When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. There is much that we don’t know about Paul’s stay in Rome. Acts tells us that he lived there for two years, and was allowed to evangelize from there. And that’s how the book ends. There are […]

Today’s gospel (John 21:15-19) describes Jesus’ third post-resurrection appearance. He appeared on a beach where he prepared and shared a breakfast of bread and fish with his disciples. Following the meal, Jesus asks Peter three times: Simon Peter, son of John, do you love me? Peter responds with three affirmations of affection, friendship, and brotherly […]

In today’s gospel, we hear the last words Jesus spoke at the Last Supper, just before he left for the garden. Jesus raises his eyes to heaven and addresses the Father. In what I find to be some of the most moving words in Scripture, we find Jesus praying for us.… I pray not only […]

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 […]

Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the Gospel of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24) The Church honors today Saint Philip Neri, a sixteenth-century Italian priest often referred to as the “third apostle […]

God is always in the details of our lives. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus states in verse 32, “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home….” Sound familiar, have you experienced this recently? Today it’s called social distancing and sheltering at home. The rest […]

Seventh Sunday of Easter This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began. The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord may be observed this […]