July 9, 2017 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 100 ZEC 9:9-10 PS 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14 ROM 8:9, 11-13 MT 11:25-30 I have just returned with my fellow pilgrims from a three day Ignatian silent retreat in Saint Louis.   There is something amazing about avoiding using your voice toContinue Reading

June 23, 2017Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of JesusLectionary: 170DT 7:6-11PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 101 JN 4:7-16MT 11:25-30 Just a few days ago my wife and I were sitting in the garage enjoying the evening air as the sun was beginning to set.   We started listening to theContinue Reading

A Reflection on the readings for Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time: July 12th, 2016 Isaiah 7:1-9Psalm 48The Holy Gospel According to Saint Matthew 11:20-24 When we are surrounded by evil our fearful instinct is often to close in on ourselves.  After the attacks on the World TradeContinue Reading

A sunset I encountered on a bike ride just recently.  A reflection on the daily readings for Friday, June 17, 2016.2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20Psalm 132Gospel of Matthew 6:19-23 The other day in a Facebook post I wrote about how much better life was now that I actually get outContinue Reading

When I was a young man I attended church at a First Baptist Church in a small town in rural Virginia.  They used to reward us for memorizing scripture.  Free pizza hut pan pizzas, candy, even money.   The very first challenge I received in youth group was to memorizeContinue Reading

Many years ago, my dad taught me a lesson that I am still learning today.   He said: “Son, sometimes you have to choose your battles.”  He meant that you need to examine every situation to see if what you are about to argue about or correct someone about isContinue Reading

Ash Wednesday.  Such a powerful service to attend.  To receive ashes on our forehead to remind us that form dust we come, to dust we shall return.   The Church is packed.  Isn’t that intriguing?  On a normal weekend you don’t find the pews that full.  At most Holy Days ofContinue Reading