Author name: Essjay Peatoo

Part 1 For the next two days we read the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. As we begin the reading (Genesis 18:16-33), we see Abraham’s three mysterious visitors preparing to continue their journey to Sodom. As an act of courtesy on the part of a host, Abraham accompanies them on the beginning […]

APOSTLES St. Peter “I do so love St. Peter,” says a friend of mine. “Whenever he opens his mouth, he puts his foot in it.” She is right, of course. Whatever else St. Peter may be, he is not the model of a wise and noble hero. Yes, he walks on water – but then panics

If today you were walking down the street, would you recognize God coming toward you, coming to greet you as His friend, coming to do wondrous things for you?   Would you be willing to give up all your worldly status, humble yourself before your Lord, and be receptive to what Jesus has to say?

Solemnity Each summer, usually in June, nineteen days after Pentecost, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.   In the Gospels, Jesus’ heart is moved with pity for the crowds (Matthew 9:36) and He tells us that He is gentle and humble of heart (Matthew 11:29). The Sacred Heart of Jesus

In today’s first reading (Genesis 16:1-12,15-16), Abram, Sarai, and their entourage have been living in Canaan for 10 years.   Sarai is aware of how she has disappointed her husband by not giving him a son.  In keeping with the culture of the time, an infertile wife could offer one of her female slaves to

So far this week, our first readings are excerpts from the Book of Genesis introducing us to the relationship that God had with a man named Abram of Ur (Genesis 12-15).  This Chaldean, from one of the great “metropolitan” areas of the ancient world, will become the father of three great faiths:  Judaism, Christianity, and

Apart from Mary and Joseph, John the Baptist is the only saint who has two feasts to himself: One, in August, that celebrates his death; and one, in June, that celebrates his birth. This is as it should be, for as Christ himself said, John was the greatest of the sons of men.  John, it

After a 6-week hiatus, our first readings at Mass return to the Book of Genesis. Today we take up where we left off, after the pre-historical stories of the Creation and the Fall.  Starting today, we begin following the datable history of Israel, starting approximately 1,800-years before Christ was born.  We will hear the stories

Solemnity While today’s Solemnity was not celebrated in the Church until the 13th Century, the reason for the celebration dates back to the very beginnings of our faith, Holy Thursday.    On that occasion, the emphasis was on the institution, the gift of the Eucharist to us as one of Jesus’ last acts before his suffering

Today we come to the final reading from this letter as Paul continues to defend his credentials as an Apostle of Christ to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). Paul says: “It is necessary to boast…” He says this though “nothing is to be gained by it”. It doesn’t do any good in itself, but he sees