Spiritual Reflections

Isaiah 8:23-9:3            1 Corinthians 1:10-17             Matthew 4:12-23 This is the third time, the third Sunday, that the Gospel invites us to walk with Jesus at the very beginning of his public life. First we witnessed him on the banks…

Is. 49:3, 5-6; John 1:29-34 When I first read the Scripture texts for today, I thought it’s the baptism of Jesus all over again: one of Isaiah’s servant songs and the words about the dove and about baptizing and about…

Isaiah describes one sent by God who doesn’t cause an uproar in the streets, doesn’t even break a bruised reed along the river. This one speaks quietly but clearly and his voice is heard. He doesn’t carry a big stick.…

We recently celebrated Christmasm and now we celebrate the Epiphany.  We know those events took place in the Middle East. The only white people in this story were probably from the Roman Empire of Italic descent, and they were a…

When I think of Mary, the first image to pop into my head is still that of a lovely white young woman in white and blue clothing with hands together in prayer. That’s the image. It never occurred to me…

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family who fled for their lives into a foreign land, much like the journey of so many others who are displaced in our current world.  We know the story in Matthew’s Gospel…

Isaiah 7:10-14 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24 Put on your reading glasses and take another look at the Scriptures for today. You will see how early in content they are in the various books of Scripture. Isaiah, Paul and Matthew’s words…

The theme this third Sunday of Advent, like all of Advent itself, is about expectations. Those of you who have heard me talk before will expect a short explanation of the root of the word “expectation.” And you will not…

Isaiah 11:1-10        Romans 15:4-9        Matthew 3:1-12 The days are getting darker, still, and will for another two weeks.  It gives me hope in these dark days of winter to know that the darkness is…

Isaiah 2, Romans 13, Matthew 24 When I read this Sunday’s Gospel earlier in the week, I thought that, in some metaphorical way, it speaks to the current situation in the United States and what the future could look like.…

It’s pretty easy to feel good with today’s Old Testament readings. Gone are the wars and bloody battles where God has a favored side. There’s no strife or conflict. No plagues or wandering in the desert. The readings are upbeat…

Sometimes, when I stand in Lebanon, Ky., holding a sign on Wednesday mornings, I have said the rosary. One day recently, I said, I believe in – long pause. What do I believe in, I said to myself. I believe…