|
“O God, our refuge and our strength…,” begins a traditional prayer for the needs of the Church. “Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus..,” introduces the prayer …
more
6/1/23
|
|
A line of Scripture that should give every believer a moment’s pause is found in today’s second reading for the Solemnity of Pentecost. In his first letter to the church at Corinth, St. …
more
5/25/23
|
|
The Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into heaven is perhaps, no, is definitely the most convoluted event in salvation history. All four evangelists take note of Jesus’ return to …
more
5/18/23
|
|
|
Catholics who have the opportunity of participating at Mass in various churches will certainly notice a variety in the vestments worn by the celebrants. An amice of plain cloth first may be placed …
more
5/11/23
|
|
The ancient Jews had two places of prayer. After the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek by the seventy scholars in Alexandria, Egypt, the synagogue system grew steadily throughout the …
more
5/4/23
|
|
|
Modern believers have probably acquired more information about Biblical shepherds from Christmas cards than from the Scriptures themselves. Generally thought to be gentle, kindly, caring men, …
more
4/27/23
|
|
Although the Far East nation of India is overwhelmingly Hindu, an ancient Christian church community has existed since Apostolic times along the country’s Malabar Coast. A very strong tradition …
more
4/16/20
|
|
At Bethlehem’s manger, Jesus Christ came to earth in the flesh. St. John affirmed: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” St. Paul testified that Jesus was “a man like us …
more
4/9/20
|
|
The Jewish nation cited movingly by Isaiah in this coming Sunday’s Old Testament reading is lost in self-pity. Tormented by their stronger neighbors – Assyria, Babylon, Egypt – they …
more
4/2/20
|
|
Scripture scholars often discern seven signs in the first half of the Gospel according to St. John. Chapters 2 through 11 feature seven misfortunes — some just a matter of inconvenience, …
more
3/26/20
|
|
The disciples, as many people still do today, thought that misfortune was a punishment sent from God for sins committed. “What did I do to deserve this?” is still a question asked of the …
more
3/19/20
|
|
A Bible passage that is most challenging to Scripture scholars is the episode of Jesus encountering the Syrophoenician woman who begs a cure for her daughter (Mk 7:24-30). By any standards, the …
more
3/12/20
|
|
The Apostles Peter, James and John were singled out by Jesus Christ at least three times to witness major Biblical events that would both challenge and strengthen their understanding, their …
more
3/5/20
|
|
Very early in the Judaeo-Christian tradition the number 40 begins to take on a significance that will broaden and deepen as God continues to reveal his plans for mankind through celebrated Biblical …
more
2/27/20
|
|
Although St. Matthew’s “Sermon on the Mount” and St. Luke’s “Sermon on the Level Stretch” closely parallel one another, St. Matthew’s account stretches to …
more
2/20/20
|
|
In the United States, when one refers to “the Duke,” the allusion suggests John Wayne, the great cinematic hero of the last century. In the United Kingdom, when one mentions “the …
more
2/13/20
|
|
When President Kennedy left the Massachusetts Senate for the White House in Washington, he advised his fellow senators, “We must always consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill – …
more
2/6/20
|
|
Within weeks of my ordination, after the celebration of Mass at St. Charles parish in Woonsocket, a woman approached me at the altar rail and requested the ceremony of “churching.” This …
more
1/30/20
|
|
The Scriptural Holy Land, today most generally known as the Republic of Israel, was, in the time of Christ, easily divided into three portions. Judea, on the south bordering Egypt, was quite solidly …
more
1/23/20
|
|
Certainly, St. John the Baptist had plenty of time and much family history to be able to proclaim in the very first chapter of the Gospel of St. John, “Now I have seen and testified that he is …
more
1/16/20
|