Power and Manipulation

So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.” . . . David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord,[read more]

Power Or Service

Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.  You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:21-22 On this Feast of St. Stephen we find ourselves somewhat[read more]

Our Lady of Guadalupe

“With her dark skin and Indian features, the Lady offered an image of divine compassion for a demoralized people.  Speaking to Juan Diego in his own language, she presented herself in terms of compassion and solidarity, not power and domination.  Through him, she called the Church to heed the voice of the poor, to serve[read more]

What Shall I Do

The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.  I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into[read more]

Love and Courage

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written:  “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through[read more]

Fear and Responsibility

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.  You lock the Kingdom of heaven before people.  You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.” Matthew 23: 13-14 From our perspective, the seeming malevolence of the scribes and Pharisees, at least as presented in the gospels, is more than[read more]

Possessions or Conversation

Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.  Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support them if they stayed together; their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.  There were quarrels between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and those[read more]

To Each Individual

There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.  To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 Yesterday I was[read more]