A Reflection on the readings for Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time (June 21, 2016)2Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36Psalm 48Holy Gospel According to Matthew 7:6, 12-14 When I was fourteen years old my grandfather gave me my first bible.  Not that we didn’t already have bibles in ourContinue Reading

A Reflection on the daily readings for Monday, June 20th, 2016. 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18Psalm 60The Gospel According to Matthew 7:1-15 My mother and dad were good to me growing up.  Father’s day reminded me of that.  To look back and see exactly what it was like growing up.Continue Reading

A Reflection on the Readings for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1Psalm 63Galatians 3:26-29Gospel of Luke 9:18-24 Many years ago a dear friend of mine and his wife lost a child.  It was a heart wrenching experience.  I tried to be there for him, triedContinue Reading

A reflection on the readings for June 16, 2016. Sirach 48:1-14Psalm 97Gospel of Matthew 6:7-15 In this mornings first reading we see a list of all the amazing things that Elijah and Elisha did in their earthly lifetimes.  From raising to dead to controlling the elements, we see these menContinue Reading

Prayer, fasting, and alms giving.  These are sometimes referred to as the three pillars of Lent.  Jesus reminds us in the Gospel for today that these are not supposed to be relegated to one single season, but rather to be ways of life that we adopt throughout our days.  HeContinue 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