Yesterday we began the first of only two readings that we will have from the Second Letter of Peter (2 Peter 1:2‑7).  Today is the second reading (2 Peter 3:12‑15, 17-18).  Scripture scholars believe this letter was written by one of Peter’s disciples, sometime …

Since Pentecost, our scripture readings have focused on our rejecting the allure of “false” teachings in favor of following the” true” teachings of Jesus.  One of the most serious of these false teachings, during the early years of the Church, was that of Gnosticism. …

When I think of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, I am reminded of an old African folk tale that speaks of three blind men who examine an elephant to try to determine what sort of animal it might be. One grabs hold …

Today we have a solitary reading taken from the Letter of Jude (Jude 1:17, 20‑25).   Jude is a very short letter, consisting of just one chapter of 25 verses.  Our reading comes from the latter part of the letter.  In general, the letter …

Today’s is a challenging Gospel reading (Mark 11:11-26).  We are presented with a story within a story.  Most of us can recall how Jesus entered the Temple complex and found merchants selling all manner of things in the very place where people should have …

Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 10:46-52), superficially, appears to be just another pleasant story about Jesus healing a blind man. Mark’s gospel frequently is the one that gives the most details when telling a story.  Some commentators suggest that is because he is using first-hand …

In today’s First Reading (1 Peter 1:18-25) Peter reminds us that we have been “ransomed”.  In the Scriptures, to ‘ransom’ means to free someone from something bad by paying some sort of payment.  In this case, the ransom price is not silver or gold …

This week we begin readings from the First Letter of Peter. This letter was written around 64 AD and sets forth the nature of the Christian life begun in baptism as an experience of constant regeneration. By their acceptance of Christianity, the Christian communities …

Today, in the United States, is Memorial Day, originally known as “Decoration Day,” an opportunity to decorate the many graves of the over 600,000 men who died in our Civil War (April 12, 1861 to April 9, 1865). It was, by far, our nation’s …

The name “Pentecost” comes from the Greek word meaning “fiftieth.” Like Easter, it is tied to a Jewish feast. Jews celebrate the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) 49 days (7 weeks, or “a week of weeks”) after the second day of Passover.   Passover celebrates …