July 21: 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Sunday readings offer two wonderful stories involving biblical women. Genesis 18 contains one of the most intriguing incidents in the Bible.

July 14: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Fourth of July I watched the news reports about the earthquake in Southern California and saw an interview with the mayor of the town of Ridgecrest, Peggy Breeden. Her town was at the epicenter of the quake.

July 7: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 7: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 30: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Portraying human life as a journey is one of the oldest and most important metaphors in the Bible, as it is in other literature. The epic journey of Ulysses is at the heart of a Greek classic. “Pilgrim’s Progress” also presents human life unfolding as a journey. The story of Israel’s ancestors begins with the journey of Abraham, called by God to set out from his homeland in Ur for a land of destiny, and so the story of God’s people would begin.

June 23: Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Older generations of Catholics will remember impressive Corpus Christi processions.

June 16: Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

In a recent column, the thoughtful New York Times writer David Brooks quoted a man who said he was “spiritual” but did not accept that there should be “any strings attached in believing in God.”

June 9: Pentecost Sunday

What did it feel like when you first fell in love? Or when you held your first newborn child in your arms? Or when you learned you were hired for a job you really wanted? “Like” is the operative word. When trying to describe a joyful experience to someone, we reach for metaphors or images that might convey something of the often-indescribable experience we have had.

June 2: Ascension of the Lord

The Letter to the Ephesians uses an intriguing mixed metaphor in today’s reading: “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe.”

May 26: Sixth Sunday of Easter

Not long ago I listened to a radio interview about Berry Gordy, the man who founded the Motown sound in 1959 and introduced Diana Ross and the Supremes, one of the most successful music acts in U.S. history, to the world.

May 19: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Recently, Catholic Theological Union gave an award to Sister of St. Joseph Helen Prejean, whose dual mission of opposition to the death penalty and care for the victims of violence was spotlighted in her book and later movie, “Dead Man Walking.”
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