Archives for June 2023

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4) As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day next week, we might reflect a little bit about what it means to be “free.”  In the context of the Fourth of July holiday, freedom means being separated from the political control of a king as had been the case prior to the American revolution.  But “freedom” means many things.  Webster’s Dictionary has a very lengthy definition of freedom.  In part it reads: “a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; b: liberation from slavery or … [Read more...]

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  (Mt 10:29-31) Today Jesus tells is not to be afraid.  And how much we need to hear these words during this time of global pandemic and societal unrest!  Fear of disease, fear of racism and fear of violence have permeated the last three months.  But the words of the Gospel provide a reassurance from Jesus: “do not be afraid.” If we think about it, our lives are a succession of fears. As children we might have feared the dark or thunder and lightning.  Perhaps as teenagers we feared not fitting in at school.  At exam time we might have feared failing a test or … [Read more...]

But God proves his love for us  in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life.  (Romans 5:8-10) The readings today have two aspects to them: “election” and “mission.” In the first reading we hear about how God chose the Israelites.  He told them “if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.” (Ex. 19:5-6).  Why did God choose the Israelites, among all of the nations … [Read more...]

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (Jn 3:16) Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Do you realize that almost all of the “solemnities” and “feasts” of our Church point to an “earthly” event?  Think about it.  They’re either focused on an event in the life of Christ (His incarnation, His birth, His death, His resurrection, His ascension) or an event in the lives of His Mother, St. Joseph or one of His followers – the Saints.  But only one celebration in the Church calendar points to something that can only be described as “other worldly.”  That’s Trinity Sunday.  It points to a Heavenly Reality – the reality that God is three persons in one God.  It’s a mystery that has … [Read more...]