Exploring the Word

19 Jan 2025

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

A name and a job description

What’s in a name? Identity and even destiny—in just about any culture but ours. Certainly in biblical times naming held the authority of creation in it: “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

12 Jan 2025

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Cycle C

Who brings the light?

Who are the future leaders in your community? Invite those younger than 20 to stand in your assembly. These children and teenagers are the hope of the future.

5 Jan 2025

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Cycle C

The King of Glory comes

In this country we gave up celebrating kings right around the time of the Boston Tea Party. Our national story was framed against the notion that kings are better than anybody else.

29 Dec 2024

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

Who are the children of God?

"Beloved, we are God's children now." That is such a beautiful idea I can't help repeating it from John's letter.

22 Dec 2024

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

Great expectations

What makes Christians different from other holiday shoppers during the month of December? That’s not a trick question.

15 Dec 2024

Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

Advent do's and don’ts

Some of us don’t do well with imperatives. Maybe it’s the rugged individualist streak in Americans that makes us resist being compelled.

8 Dec 2024

Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

The power of hope

Advent is the season of hope. But what power does hope have in this world?

1 Dec 2024

First Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

The days are coming

My grandfather from Austria used to play a little game with us when we were small. He'd walk his fingers up our arms like a spider, repeating a soft chant in his native language: El camina, el camina . . . which means "coming, coming" but doesn't say precisely what's coming.

24 Nov 2024

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Cycle B

The truth about power

Power is a tricky business. Many will try to win it, buy it, or obtain it by whatever means necessary. Yet power remains elusive even to those who seek and desire it.

17 Nov 2024

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Do the math

Most of us can produce a list of consequences we'd dearly love to escape. We'd like to go to the all-you-can-eat buffet and really eat all we can—and walk away svelte. We'd like to spend money like fools and not sink into debt.