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19 Jun 2011 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Cycle A

Let God speak for himself. People erroneously caricature the God of the Old Testament as a punishing God. Here's how God introduces himself in today's first reading, "The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." Paul urges the believers of Corinth to "encourage one another." If you stopped at the end of a typical day and analyzed all your conversations and interactions with others, how much of your behavior would fit easily in the "encourage others" column and how much would better fit the "discourage others" column? Sometimes habits we acquire run counter to our true beliefs and hopes. Take an honest look this week to see if you are building others up or dragging them down.

Old Testament encourage habits

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Food companies craft mega-merger

29 Mar 2015 - Preaching the News for Sunday

This Sunday’s gospel centers on preparations for ceremonial meals related to the Passover feast in ancient Israel. Fast forward 2,000 years and many meals prepared in the U.S. quite likely involve at least one product from either H.J. Heinz or Kraft Foods Group. The two corporations said Wednesday that they would merge to form one of the world’s biggest food empires, combining two of the most iconic names in the American kitchen and potentially signaling big changes for how the country eats. Homily hint: One of the reasons these two food companies are merging is their need to adjust to changing consumer perspectives on prepared foods. The public is demanding more organic and natural fresh foods. Taking care with what we eat is good stewardship over the miracle of life we have been granted For more on the merger, see: Heinz will buy Kraft Foods in mega-merger for American food

stewardship natural foods consumer eating habits

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Homily stories

09 Mar 2025 - First Sunday of Lent, Cycle C

Three of us seasoned moms were reminiscing about when we were young parents. My friend Kathy recounted how anxious she was about making the right choices. “I kept thinking,” she said, “if only I could have a practice kid that I could use to test the effects of some of my parenting decisions, regarding such things as time-outs, naps, and daycare. I just worried that I didn’t know what the heck I was doing.” We all agreed. Likely nearly every parent has felt that way. When the baton is passed, you don’t feel fully prepared. I remember thinking as I left the hospital with my beautiful baby daughter, “I can’t believe they are letting us take her home.” The reality is that we are all “practicing animals,” to use philosopher Peter Sloterdijk’s phrase. We are made up of our habits, but at times we are forced to break out of those routines to do something different, perhaps even extraordinary—like caring for another human being. Lent presents us with a golden opportunity each year to practice life in a new way. It invites us to let old habits die and allow new ones that stretch and strengthen us to form. It is not easy. Often, we feel that we don’t know what we’re doing, much like a new parent. But stepping outside of familiar patterns offers us the chance to encounter God’s grace in new ways. And, just like a new parent, we find that we have more capacity for love and growth than we ever imagined.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

habits patterns practice

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