2013

To be a Catholic in 16th-century England was dangerous. Parliament passed laws that made life for Catholics very difficult. For example, celebrating the Mass was outlawed; many priests were persecuted and even killed for doing so. To shelter a priest was considered treason and punishable by death.

Many brave English Catholics kept the faith alive in England back then and paid the ultimate price for doing so. One valiant woman was a young mother, St. Margaret Clitherow. She allowed priests to live in her home and celebrate Mass there. She also ran a small school for children.  In March of 1586, a raid on her home revealed what she was doing, so she was imprisoned, then sentenced to death. From her prison cell the night before she died, Margaret made a final request; that her shoes be given to her oldest daughter, Anne, who was then 12 years old. Her message was clear: Follow in my footsteps.

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Ascension SundayRead More »

Scripture:
1st reading    Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
2nd reading   Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23
Gospel          John 14: 23-29

In different parts of the world, the sign of peace exchanged before communion takes different forms. Americans generally like the handshake of peace and extend it to all within their reach. Kisses and hugs are also sometimes exchanged. I believe we do it all here.

Europeans are more reserved. In England, for example, a raised eyebrow or a slight inclination of the head seems enough. On the West African Coast the handshake is followed by much finger cracking; and this handshake is exchanged just by the men. In Northern Ghana, the celebrant waives his handkerchief to the entire congregation and they wave back, singing joyfully as they wave.

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6th Sunday of EasterRead More »

A junior high music teacher had just organized a band in her school. The principal was so proud of her efforts that he decided the band should give a concert for the entire school. The music teacher wasn’t so sure her young musicians were ready, so she tried dissuading the principal to no avail. Just before the concert was ready to begin, as the music teacher stood on the podium, she leaned forward and whispered to her nervous musicians, “If you’re not sure of your part, just pretend to play.” And with that, she stepped back, lifted her baton and with a great flourish brought it down. Lo and behold, nothing happened! The band brought forth a resounding silence.

Sometimes we in the church are like that junior high band, unsure of our parts, tentative in our roles, reluctant to trumpet forth the music of faith that God desires of us. And that’s because we have trouble deciding what’s most important to us.

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5th Sunday of EasterRead More »

Did you hear the story of a woman who went to see an attorney about getting a divorce? He asked, “What are your grounds?” She replied, “We have about half an acre.” The lawyer then inquired, “Do you have a grudge?” “No,” she responded, “We only have a carport.”  The lawyer tried again, “Is your husband running around with another woman?” “Heavens, no!” the wife exclaimed. “He has arthritis and he can hardly walk, much less run.” The lawyer then asked, “Does he ever beat you up in the morning?” “Oh, no,” she replied, “I always get up first and make the coffee.” Finally the attorney asked, “Well, then, why do you want a divorce?” The woman said, “I just can’t seem to communicate with him.”

Jesus would never divorce us, but how often have we “divorced”him? The number of Catholics in America who chose not to grow in their faith has been steadily increasing over the past 25 years.They think of themselves as Catholic and claim to believe in God, but they have little contact with Jesus in terms of attending Mass and practicing the faith. While church attendance is not a clear indication of internal faith, one has to wonder if their faith is fading away. Would Paul accuse them of rejecting God’s word?

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4th Sunday of EasterRead More »

What an interesting gospel but then I imagine any fisherman can relate to Peter’s bad luck, fishing without a single bite and having his patience truly tested. Hearing someone tell him to throw his net to the other side, Peter was challenged to try a different approach and this time he and his companions caught so many fish that they could not haul the net onto their boat.

The gospel, however, really isn’t a lesson in fishing. Peter’s inability to catch any fish was John’s way of symbolizing Peter’s failure to love. Think back to the night Jesus was on trial after being betrayed by Judas. Peter stood in the courtyard to watch what was going on. When pressed by a servant girl, he denied that he even knew Jesus, much less loved and believed in him.In this brief encounter, he had turned his back on a friendship that had been three years in the making.

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3rd Sunday of EasterRead More »