Vincent was born in France on April 24, 1581 during a time marred by war, disease, and poverty. As a young peasant boy, Vincent learned the meaning of hard work by tending the family livestock. His parents recognized that he was clever and creative, …

The readings today seem a bit gloomy.  Qoheleth, the writer of Ecclesiastes, warns one of his youthful acquaintances about the inevitability of death.  The message one might take from the First Reading (Ecclesiastes 1: 2-11) is one should live it up while young because …

Today we have our last selection of readings from Proverbs (Proverbs 30:5-9).  We are urged to take refuge in the unalloyed or flawless word of God, which will be our most effective security in life. When we fully assimilate that word, we are endowed …

Today we have our last selection of readings from Proverbs (Proverbs 30:5-9).  We are urged to take refuge in the unalloyed or flawless word of God, which will be our most effective security in life. When we fully assimilate that word, we are endowed …

We have today a set of two-line moral aphorisms which are quite distinct from each other and with which we are not likely to quarrel (Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13). However, whether they reflect the way that we always behave is another question, so we do …

“Padre Pio” 1887-1968 St. Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione, on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy. His parents were peasant farmers. He had an older brother and three younger sisters, as well as two other siblings who died in infancy. As a child, …

Today our first readings return to the Old Testament and we begin reading from some of the so-called “Wisdom” books. This week we will be reading selections from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The wisdom books consist of a series of “wise sayings” emanating from the …

There is a force in our human nature both to reverence and protect innocence, yet at the same time to suspect and exploit it.  It is based in our own longings for innocence and our disappointments in having lost or disturbed our own. We …

No one likes taxes. But anti-tax animosity was especially intense in ancient Israel during the first century of the Christian era. In the Gospels, tax collectors (also known as publicans) are frequently mentioned in the same breath as harlots and sinners. If tax collectors …

Before retiring from Federal Service 23 years ago, I used to travel frequently.  While traveling, and not frantically rushing to the gate to catch my plane, I sometimes would ‘people watch’ other travelers. There were students and business people engaged with their laptops until …