The last words we sang at Vespers on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord were: “Christ our God has made all creation holy.” The next day we burst from the season of light, glory, angels and God in human flesh into what we call Ordinary Time. I suppose you have to call it something, but is it really ordinary? Ordinary can look so boring, grey and colorless. Yes.…
One last candle opens its heart to receive the light tonight and its flame quivers with expectancy. The long-awaited one will soon be in our midst in a deeper manner as the liturgical cycle draws us deeper into the mystery of God-With-Us. How can we make this mystery come to life in our own hearts? Jesus, you rest at the center of every creature. You came once in our flesh,…
One more candle adds its presence to our growing circle of advent light. The time of fulfillment draws closer and the Coming One beckons us to run while we have the light of life. We have opened our eyes to the Light of Christ, and our ears to hear his voice. This week it is for us to run in the way of God’s commands. How can we make our…
Tonight another candle dances in our Advent wreath and calls out to us, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” With the ears of our hearts awakened, let us hear what the Spirit says to us. How attentive are we to that still, small voice that calls to us from within: “Come my children, listen to me”? Let stillness quiet your being to hear the Spirit’s tender voice, “Before you…
This evening we light our first Advent Candle. The first glimmer of light and hope shimmers in the twilight and beckons us to look deep – deep within our being. What does the spark of God’s Presence reveal to our inner eyes? For what are we living? Or better, for whom are we living? What if, this first week of Advent, we opened our inner eyes to the deifying light…
November 21, 2021: A Reflection for the 34th Sunday in O.T., Christ the King, Year B John 18:33b-37 My kingdom does not belong to this world. (Jn 18:36) Jesus, you are a king unlike any king that has existed. You exercise your kingship differently than the earthly monarchs to which we have become so accustomed. Your authority is not fashioned on the patterns of this world: submission, control, domination. Your…
November 14, 2021: A Reflection for the 33rd Sunday in O.T., Year B Mark 13:24-32 In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. (Mk 13:17) This is a Gospel that needs a broader vision in order to grasp it. It took many years for me to hear it proclaimed without dread filling my heart, and confusion, my understanding. I still…
November 7, 2021: A Reflection for the 32nd Sunday of O.T., Year B Mark 12:38-44 “This poor widow has given more than all the others.” (Mk 12:43) If ever we wondered what whole-hearted love looked like, today’s Gospel of the poor widow offers us a glimpse. Leaving aside the question of whether it was prudent to give away the last two coins which formed her sustenance, what must have caught…
October 31, 2021: A Reflection for the 31st Sunday of O.T., Year B Mark 12:28b-34 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than this.” (Mk 12:29-31)…
October 24, 2021: A Reflection for the 30th Sunday of O.T., Year B Mark 10:46-52 "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." (Mk 10:51) He sat there in his usual spot by the side of the road. Passersby would notice his dust-covered clothes and his cupped hands held out in begging. He was the son of Timaeus,…
