Spiritual Reflections

Loretto Sister Rita Bruegenhagen introduced me to the commentaries of David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart on PBS News every Friday evening. I have enjoyed their commentaries ever since but recently, in listening to a panel discussion at Georgetown University in…

I have three experiences to bring to these readings about the contention among the disciples when Paul brought the Gospel to the Gentiles; about John’s vision of the chosen standing before God and God wiping every tear from their eye;…

Acts 5: 27-41          Revelation 5:11-14          John 21:1-19 Today’s Scripture readings continue the Easter season’s focus on Jesus and his followers in the early days after his death and resurrection. They are perfect…

Acts 5:12-16 Revelations 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 John 20:19-31 Several years ago, during the Easter Vigil Elaine Prevallet quoted a phrase from a poem of Wendell Berry’s.  He used the expression: “Practice resurrection.”   In the last month, the daffodils and jonquils…

I came to Loretto on Sept. 15, the feast of our Sorrowful Mother, and it went over my head. But back then our other major feast day, the celebration of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, happened on…

Isaiah 43: 16-21 Phil. 3: 8-14 John 8:1-11 “Being forgiven by someone is nothing short of an amazing grace.“ In today’s readings we hear from the prophets Isaiah and Paul and from Jesus, the source of divine revelation. All reveal…

Luke 15: 1-3; 11-32 The story of the Prodigal Son is one of the most famous parables of Jesus.  Many of us could repeat this story almost verbatim.  The traditional interpretation is that the two brothers represent two extremes of…

Exodus 17:3-7             Romans 5:1-8             John 4:5-42 When speaking of the Scriptures, there is always a choice to be made between the familiar and a search for fresh perspectives.…

In all three cycles of Lenten readings the first Sunday is always the temptation in the desert, and the second Sunday is always the Transfiguration. They are like bookends: the beginning of Jesus’ mission and pointing to the end of…

The readings for this first Sunday of Lent are much too familiar to us. We have heard them over and over again throughout our lives. This is true especially of the Gospel where we read that Jesus is led by…

Today’s readings are full of sound advice. The same way we wait until the pot comes out of the kiln, we listen to the whole speech. Don’t rush to judgment. Wait. Listen. Then judge. That’s Sirach. Give thanks to God…

Sam.26:7-23 6:27-38 A drawing in the Missalette for this Sunday has Jesus speaking to the disciples. Jesus has his hand raised pointing at them as if to say, “I have a message for you, and you had better listen.” In…