Yesterday we begin reading from the prophet Ezekiel. The language is often apocalyptic in style and full of symbolism. His special contribution to the prophetic tradition was through his interest in the Temple and how it related to liturgy. He also had a great influence on the period after the Exile, when the remnant Jews
Introduction To Ezekiel – The Vision All Speak Of The Presence And Power Of God Read More »
You’ve got to be taughtTo hate and fear.You’ve got to be taughtFrom year to year.It’s got to be drummedIn your dear little ear.You’ve got to be carefully taught. You’ve got to be taughtTo be afraidOf people whose eyesAre oddly made,And people whose skinIs a different shade.You’ve got to be carefully taught. You’ve got to be
Being A Child – How Do We “Turn And Become Like Children”? Read More »
In the last 9 days, we have celebrated feast days for three founders of the great Orders of Priests in the Catholic Church: St. Ignatius Loyola (Jesuits, July 31st); St. Alphonsus Liguori (Redemptorists, August 1st); and St. John Vianney (August 4th. OK, he did not found a specific order, but he is the patron
St. Dominic – Chose For Himself Only The Most Meager Of Provisions Read More »
Today’s readings bring into sharp focus the challenges that God’s chosen people face in trying to carry out the mission entrusted to them by God. Today we see a prophet’s depression in Elijah, a disciple’s grief in Paul and an apostle’s fear in Peter. In the first reading (1 Kings 19:9, 11-13), we see a
The Storm Is Now Over – “In The World You Shall Have Tribulations” Read More »
Today’s readings seem to be focused on a question that bothers all of us at one time or another: Why does God allow evil to happen? Our first reading, from the Prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 1:12-2:4) consists of a dialogue between God and the prophet and may be the only place in the Bible where someone
Habakkuk – Why Does God Allow Evil To Happen? Read More »
Today we have a single reading (Nahum 2:1,3,3:1-3,6-7) from the very short Book of Nahum (just three chapters). Nahum is one of the so-called ‘minor’ prophets, as opposed to ‘major’ prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. Nahum made his prophecy just before the fall of the Assyrian capital of Nineveh in 612 BC. His
The Book Of Nahum – Nineveh, The Proud And Arrogant City, Is To Be Humiliated Read More »
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Accounts of the event are described in each of the three synoptic gospels (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; and Luke 9:28-36); and alluded to in John’s gospel (John 1:14) and in Peter’s second letter (2 Peter 1:16-18). The Transfiguration takes place at a point in
The Transfiguration – Life Is Bigger Than What Our Eyes Can See Read More »
The Basilica of St. Mary Major is one of the oldest and most important churches in the world and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In fact, it was built at her request! According to tradition, a Roman Patrician, Giovanni, and his wife were childless and prayed to the Blessed Mother that she would
Dedication Of The Basilica Of Saint Mary Major Read More »
Today as we listen to the words of the scriptures, we are reminded of the need for us to trust in the Lord, in His promises and in His providence. We must listen to God and hold onto Him, and not to be easily swayed by the words of false prophets and all those who
Trust In God – Ask The Lord For The Strength And Faith To Be Always Ready To Persevere Read More »
We read today (Jeremiah 28:1-17) of the dispute with the false prophet, Hananiah. It is nice, of course, to hear encouraging words, but not if they are false and misleading, and that is what we see in today’s reading. Internal evidence seems to indicate that chapters 27-28 were a distinct unit from the rest of
Death To False Prophets – The People Have Been Given A False Sense Of Security Read More »