(Part One) After the 2022 United States Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, that overturned the deeply flawed 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, where do U.S. Catholics stand in this debate?  The Catholic Church always has been one of the …

Feast Day September 8th  The birthdates of great men and women are remembered for posterity. The presidents of the United States are commemorated near the February birthday of George Washington. Many nations celebrate their birthday on the date they gained their independence. The Church …

As we cheer on workers and their work this Labor Day, shouldn’t Christians be the loudest cheerleaders of all? After all, the Bible unequivocally affirms that work was designed by God; that it is intrinsically “good”; that all kinds of work — from the …

Today’s first reading (1 Corinthians 4:6-15) continues yesterday’s passage. Paul has been describing himself and Apollos as stewards or managers of God’s message. He argues that the focus should be totally on the message rather than on the messengers. The Corinthians should not be …

Today’s gospel (Luke 5:33-39) refers to problems associated with change.  Jesus uses parables to teach about these problems, though his teaching is somewhat enigmatic.  First, tearing a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one does seem rather silly.  Other gospel writers …

PRAYER FOR VICTIMS OF FLOODING Compassionate God, source of all comfort, we pray for the people whose lives have been devastated by rain and flood.  Bring them comfort, we pray. Most merciful and compassionate God, giver of life and love, hear our prayers.  Let …

After driving out the demon from the man in the synagogue, Jesus goes to the house of Simon (Luke 4:38-44). There, He heals Simon’s mother-in-law who is sick with a severe fever.  She instantly recovers. The news of His miraculous healings and exorcisms spread …

Throughout history, great leaders have arisen to lead peoples, nations, and kingdoms. There have been such leaders from ancient times until the present, leaders like Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Constantine, Tamerlane, Charles V, Suleiman the Magnificent, and Napoleon. These leaders ruled vast territory and …

Today we begin the reading from Luke’s Gospel, which will bring us to the end of the Church year. We have already gone through Matthew’s and Mark’s, and John’s Gospel has been spread through various parts of the year, especially during the Advent, Christmas, …

Perhaps today should be called “Prophecy Sunday”. We start with Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:7-9). Prophecy was not a job Jeremiah wanted. “You tricked me, Lord” he tells God. “I have received nothing but derision and reproach.”  The job of a prophet was not to serve …