Exploring the Word

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.

10 Dec 2023

Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Prepare the way!

What are you waiting for? The most disastrous answer anyone can give to that question is nothing. It’s the Advent question, boiled clean of all the theology and catechism we were taught and can’t use where the rubber meets the road of life.

3 Dec 2023

First Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Now is the time

Someone ought to find out what time is made of and get a patent on the stuff. Think of the possibilities!

26 Nov 2023

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

Sitting in the judgment seat

Have you ever had to hire someone to work for you? It’s an awful business! Here come the halt and the hopeful, resumes crumpled, palms sweaty, serving time on the death-row-of-the-unemployed. Most of these people will surely not be chosen for rescue, at least not here and not today.

19 Nov 2023

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Working hard, or hardly working?

An acquaintance confided in me that she rolls down her car window when she sees folks hanging out at the corner. “Get a job and a haircut!” she yells, and speeds off. It’s a cowardly way to express her annoyance, I admit.

12 Nov 2023

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Keeping the light on

The image shows up in countless love songs and stories. It’s a symbol of hope against hope, and heartache that hasn’t yet become heartbreak. The porch light left on, long after midnight, tells us that someone’s missing and someone’s waiting.

5 Nov 2023

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

The question of authority

For most of us, the moment comes when we are barely into our teens. Suddenly the grown-ups—who, up to now, have been omnipotent—are revealed to be what they are: mere mortals like the man behind the curtain in The Wizard of Oz.