Exactly once on Pro-Life Sunday have I heard a homily on capital punishment. It was bold, deeply Catholic, and memorable, and I thanked the presider afterwards for his courage.
“Charity begins at home,” the saying goes. That’s also where it ends, for folks who draw the circle of responsibility with a short radius. Some of us terminate our locus of concern at the nuclear family unit, a definition of belonging that’s only been around since the early 20th century.
When I’m pope, Catechetical Sunday will be elevated to a high holy day. The color of today’s vestments will be red, because religion teachers are the unsung martyrs of the church.
How many of you binge-watch your favorite shows? A recent survey noted that the crowd-pleasing series Breaking Bad is usually viewed in no less than three-episode increments. As a Bryan Cranston fan, I admit: One episode was never enough!
It was meant to be the deal breaker, and it was. Hate your parents? Your siblings? Hate your spouse and children? Who can do this? Who can imagine Jesus would even want this?
Once when I was giving a parish mission in a wealthy suburb, the pastor arranged lodgings for me with a humble family on the outskirts of town. While glad to meet this remarkable family, I was intrigued by the context in a very well-heeled community.
Recently deceased Mother Angelica insisted that those who love us tell us the truth. Jesus loves us with a great bounty of truth, but we can be sure not everyone receives such love with gratitude.
Some folks dissolve in a crisis and are no good to anyone, least of all themselves. But others shine in the critical hour.
In school, once in a while, it happened. You forgot the assignment was due and had nothing to hand in. Or you were sick on Monday and didn't know about the test on Tuesday. Or a pop quiz was thrown regarding the very chapter you failed to read. Sometimes it wasn't an academic embarrassment, but a social one.
The best things in life—aren't things. Somewhere deep down, many of us suspect this. Some may even accept it and strive to live in the direction of higher values.