As an adult convert to Catholicism, I can relate to the religious leaders who question Jesus in today’s Gospel reading. A few verses prior, they plead, “How long are you…

There are times when we feel absolutely helpless to prevent terrible injustices, abusive language and behavior, and unnecessary disasters. Our helplessness may be fed by fears of reprisals and revenge.…

Adapted from Gerhard Lohfink's The Most Important Words of Jesus It is not with the help of the head of all demons that Jesus drives out demons, but with the…

For me, the most challenging part of today’s Gospel reading is Jesus’ command to “do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you.” Before Jesus describes the hypocrisy of religious…

In her time of dire need, Queen Esther knows where to turn in today’s first reading: to God, her only hope. Her uncle, Mordecai, has warned her of a plot…

The exultant fronds of Palm Sunday have been reduced to ashes. The Church reminds us of our own mortality and bids us to reorient our lives. There is a certain…

In the Gospels, we see Jesus perform a number of miracles that have to do with the healing of eyes, ears, legs, speech impediments, and the kind of internal bleeding…

God’s love is contagious. When you catch it, you are sent. For God always seeks human partners. Sending is necessary because the need of our wounded world is great. So,…

There is a lot going on in the passage from the second book of Samuel today. Nathan, sent by the Lord, sets a trap to catch his king, David, who…

Our liturgy today sets three figures of courage before us: young David of Bethlehem, healer Jesus of Nazareth, and twelve-year-old maiden Agnes of Rome. What can they say to us…