Today’s readings, as we spiritually await the coming of God into our lives and world, may give us pause. The messenger of God, who announces to the barren wife of Manoa and to childless Zechariah the great gift of a longed-for child, comes to them as “fearsome” or “terrible.” In the case of Zechariah the immediate effect of this visitation is that he is struck mute, unable to speak. He is quite literally unable to communicate in speech the experience of God’s messenger he has undergone.…[read more]
The Lord said to Martha in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:41-2 Realizing my agitated state of mind, a good friend sent me last evening a reflective…[read more]
“When you give alms, therefore, do not trumpet it aloud before you, as those who are playacting do in the synagogues and in the streets so they may be lauded by others; amen, I tell you, they have their recompense in full. But when you are giving alms do not allow your left hand to…[read more]
You don’t say “Thanks” to a slave, do you, for doing what was commanded? The case is the same with you When you have done everything that has been commanded you, say, “We are useless slaves! We have done what we were supposed to do!” Luke 17: 9-10 At the heart of American political campaigns…[read more]
The Lord, however, hurled a violent wind upon the sea, and in the furious tempest that arose the ship was on the point of breaking up. Then the mariners became frightened and each one cried to his god. Jonah 1: 4-5 But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the…[read more]
“I give you thanks, Father, lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.” Matthew 11:25 In his notes concerning this verse of Matthew’s gospel, Daniel Harrington, SJ, writes: infants: The nēpioi are Jesus’ disciples who hear him and perceive his significance. The…[read more]
Today’s readings, as we spiritually await the coming of God into our lives and world, may give us pause. The messenger of God, who announces to the barren wife of Manoa and to childless Zechariah the great gift of a longed-for child, comes to them as “fearsome” or “terrible.” In the case of Zechariah the immediate effect of this visitation is that he is struck mute, unable to speak. He is quite literally unable to communicate in speech the experience of God’s messenger he has undergone.…[read more]
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