Jesus says people generally recognize the signs of weather: what clouds indicate rain, what wind portends warm weather, but they don’t see the signs right in front of them. Here is Jesus, right in front of them, performing signs and miracles. They should recognize his...

Sometimes it seems there is conflict and disagreement everywhere. There is conflict between countries, between members of political parties, and religions and between those living under one roof. We can take some time today to consider sources and impact of conflict....

As I reflect on this reading, the word INTEGRITY comes to mind. There are many definitions of the word integrity. My favorite definition is: "Integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is watching." Jesus describes the two parables. In one instance, the servant...

The rich man is a fool. But why? He clutches the grain he calls “mine.” Jesus urges a crowd of simple people not to be greedy. How do we even recognize greed when the great scramble to make money envelopes the world? Abraham kept the faith. He and his people kept...

In this country, famous athletic coaches have been thought to be able to alter wind directions or make the rain stop for their teams' advantages. In our First Reading we have a picture of the head coach of Team Israel, Moses, who is seen praying over his warriors....

The Gospel tells the story of 72 people being sent out to share their stories and experiences of God... ‘The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few” The Gospel message today simply encourages us to share our stories with others, which glorifies the Lord but can...

Cardinal Newman believed that “God has created me to do him some service…” So the hope of knowing and doing that service in this life could come from being in touch with the Holy Spirit. That’s why Paul admonishes the Galatians and us, to be “guided by the Spirit,” to...

I think this is an odd sign. Jonah is the epitome of the reluctant hero. He tries to run from his duty; even after he does his duty successfully, he does not appreciate the outcome. Even as Jonah was in the whale for three days so Jesus will be in the earth for three...

To many of us, today's gospel is probably one of the simplest and most familiar stories from the Bible. During Jesus' time lepers were society's despised outcasts. They were compelled to live outside villages. If and when they came near other people they had to cry...

Today’s Gospel reading reminds me of an image of God my friend Andrew calls the Vending Machine God. The image that if we pray enough, do enough good works, repent enough God will not only let us into heaven but he will give us what we ask for. We will get what we...