Exploring the Word

18 Feb 2024

First Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

The reason for the season—of Lent

More theology wars are likely to be fought over the meaning of Christmas than the substance of Lent. While many Christians gear up to do battle every December against an interesting assortment of enemies—Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty, the retail industry, and the term “X-mas,” just for starters—nobody seems to have energy left over to take on the secular foes of the Lenten season.

11 Feb 2024

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

In the leper’s defense

So here you are, moving through life cheerfully in the midst of family, community, career. And one day you wake up with a mark on your skin. It itches. Maybe in a day or two it starts to peel, crack, bleed, or ooze.

4 Feb 2024

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Free of charge

We see a lot of things advertised with that four-letter word these days: “Free!” And we’ve grown wisely skeptical of such claims. We’ve all learned by now, sometimes bitterly, that there’s no free lunch, no free subscriptions, and no free merchandise.

28 Jan 2024

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Teaching with authority

One of my favorite teachings from the epistles is almost a throwaway line from Colossians 3:21: “Fathers, do not nag your children, lest they lose heart.”

21 Jan 2024

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Caught in a bigger net

I’m not going to pretend that I know a thing about fishing. But I do know a thing or two about casting nets and being caught in them. And isn’t being caught how each of us discovers our vocation?

14 Jan 2024

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Recognizing the Master’s voice

The young boy sleeps in the shrine, curled up in the most sacred spot in Israel, though he can scarcely appreciate it. Dedicated to God in his mother’s womb, Samuel was delivered into the service of religion without ever being asked what he wanted.

7 Jan 2024

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Cycle B

Too many kings

Too many kings introduces the problem in the eternal story of powers and principalities. So doggone many earthly authorities vie for our allegiance.

31 Dec 2023

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Cycle B

Holy Family values

The great marathon of the holidays is almost over. Most of the big meals have been cooked; most of the significant family gatherings have met.

24 Dec 2023

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Where God lives

Imagine the misplaced compassion of David! David the king felt sorry for God. As he looked out of his palace window and saw the Tent of the Presence, David felt that he lived better than God did.

17 Dec 2023

Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Giving our testimony

Who are you? If you had to describe yourself to someone, how would you begin? Some of us would start with a physical description: I am so tall, with such color skin, hair, and eyes.