Topic archive
Spiritual Reflections
These are reflections given by Loretto members at Sunday services.
Praying for Ukraine
As members of the Loretto Community, we stand at the foot of the cross with the suffering people of Ukraine. In our individual, unique way may we be united in offering our collective prayers, sacrifices and sufferings for their healing and for peace. Let us pray with…
Reflection on the Fifth Sunday of Lent
When I agreed to prepare this homily, I did so without looking at the readings. I was very happy when I saw that the Gospel story was one of my favorites. The world needs to hear this story today because…
Reflection on the Fourth Sunday of Lent
In the second reading we have a strong reminder that things have changed with the coming of Jesus in human form. We are told “… the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is…
Reflection on the Third Sunday of Lent
I like the Samaritan woman. And I like Jesus as she encountered him. I like Jesus’ interactions with the women of the Gospels. They reveal Jesus as very human, deeply compassionate, modified by others. Have you ever asked yourself what…
Reflection on the Second Sunday of Lent
Genesis 15:5-18 Philippians 3:20-4:1 Luke 9:28b-36 In these days of war and mounting danger, I find it difficult to know how to pray, for whom and for what. Probably most people turn to the Scriptures or…
Reflection on the First Sunday of Lent
Luke 4:1-13 Today’s Gospel begins where the Gospel from several weeks ago ended. Back in January we celebrated the feast of Jesus’ baptism. The Holy Spirit had descended upon him, looking like a dove. A voice from heaven had said, “You…
Lenten Journey: A Time for Spiritual Growth
It is common in educational settings and Church work to gather members around a large paper on the wall to create a Wordle. It’s a “word cloud” in which the group or committee puts words associated with the main concept…
Reflection on the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Have you ever wondered what purpose a giraffe serves in this life? Do they enhance nature? Can they be domesticated? They can’t carry a burden; It would slide right off of their slanted backs. They can’t pull a wagon walking…
Reflection on the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today we are a week and a few days away from Ash Wednesday. Lent begins. As I looked back on the Sunday Gospel events it has been a quick history of the public life of Jesus. This might be a good…
Reflection on the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
A couple of weeks ago, Eleanor Craig introduced me to a treasure trove of books containing theological, pastoral, exegetical and homiletical perspectives on the Sunday readings. Delving into these books was like trying to take a drink from a firehose. …
Reflection on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The story is clear, and it gives us a lot to think about. Jesus wishes his disciples to open themselves to a new way of living, a radical change. They are fishermen, finishing this day of fishing; They are dead tired.…
Reflection on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 1:1-19 Psalm 71: 1-17 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21:30 This morning’s Gospel reading from Luke follows directly from last Sunday’s reading. And the two together bring to completion Luke’s introduction of Jesus. From here on out, we will be…