Spiritual Reflections

Exodus 22:20-26, Matthew 22:34-40 It is as though the reading from Exodus was written for our times.  “Don’t oppress.  Don’t extort.  Be compassionate.”  Oppression, greed and lack of consideration of another were prevalent enough in the early times, too, as…

It’s probably not news to anyone that I had many brothers and sisters and living and coping with that many siblings taught me some important life lessons. One of the most fascinating subjects I learned about was power — what…

Matthew 22:1-22:10 In the last few weeks, we’ve been reading, in Matthew’s Gospel, a group of stories that seem to involve what experts call “parables of reversal,” — stories that involve a change in the “audience” — when one group fails to respond,…

Matthew 21:33-43 Throughout both the Jewish and the Christian Scriptures grapes, wine, vineyards, vines and branches, owners, tenants and laborers are some of the most common allegories for the relationships between God and God’s people. I Googled “vineyards in the…

Ezekiel 18:25-28 Philippians 2:1-11 Matthew 21:28-32 I have my own version of the Gospel story: My mother would say to my sister, ‘Please wash the dishes,’ and my sister would say an emphatic, belligerent ‘NO!’ It was clear she would…

As I reflected on Jesus’ use of parables, I was reminded of an experience soon after I arrived to live and work in El Salvador. Felipa, a Poor Claire novice, was teaching a literacy class while a soldier watched through…

This Community is called to be Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross. That title has resonated with me often since both Lynn Levo and Mary Pellegrino talked about it in their presentations. So, as we look forward…

Ezekiel 33:7-9, Matthew 18:15-20 I find the Ezekiel reading today difficult to understand.  I also find it filled with thoughts of hopelessness. It seems to be about correcting the other person, the wicked one, and about being responsible for that person’s death…

In her book “So Far From Home” published in 2012, Margaret Wheatley said that the human race was on a roller coaster traveling at full speedwithout anyone knowing how to apply the brakes. COVID-19 has applied thebrakes — efficiently and…

Matthew 16:13-20 Today’s Gospel speaks of  a moment in the life of Jesus when, in response to Peter’s recognition of Jesus’ identity as Son of God, Jesus pronounces Peter to be “the rock” on which Jesus will build his church.…

I must admit that the preparation of this homily comes at a very mind-disturbing time.  How to keep concentrated on a Gospel text when the United States of America is faced with the challenge of acknowledging the social and economic…

Matthew 14: 22-33 Last Sunday’s Gospel and homily spoke of John the Baptist’s disciples coming to tell Jesus that John had been beheaded.  Jesus would have to be thinking that he might be next.  He and his disciples went off…