2014

For some years now, we have heard of the New Evangelization and in some ways, the scripture today emanates that. This is something for you to ponder as I continue on. Keep it on the back burner for now but not to far back.

Today’s story begins by introducing us to a familiar scenario of a father who asks his sons to go out into the vineyard to work. Just imagine yourself as one of the listeners back then. You are introduced to a story of two sons. That definitely brings memories to you of other stories about brothers from the Hebrew scripture. So you are now thinking there is going to be some kind of tension between the brothers. You anticipate some problem in this story before it is even told.

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26th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

Our gospel today is the well-known parable of the workers in the vineyard, who each receive a full day’s pay even though some worked only an hour.  The parable is unique to Matthew’s Gospel  and sounds surprisingly contemporary in its description of the plight of day laborers –then and now. There are, however, two important aspects of the story we need to keep in mind as we reflect on this passage.

First, this is a parable.  We must remember that Jesus’ parables are prophetic and demanding.  They call us to conversion and humility.  They draw us in, softly and with subtlety.  Then, they confront us with revelation.  Jesus’ parables point to the Kingdom of God—and today are intended to break through our deafness and our hardness of heart.

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25th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

I was left dismayed and surprised when I first heard this gospel! What did we just hear Jesus say to Peter? I have always seen Peter as the rock, the first pope of our Church, and now what does Jesus say to Peter? Get behind me Satan?

The artist Andy Warhol once said that everybody is famous for 15 minutes. However, we see that this is not necessarily true in the gospel today. Last week in the gospel of Matthew Peter answered the one million dollar question. Jesus asked him- “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers; “You are the messiah, the Son of the living God.”

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22nd Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

At a glance, the readings today dealt with religious leadership; a sacred trust in both ancient Israel and early Christianity that played a significant role in the evolution of our Church, which stands out as the oldest institution in the world, having survived 2000 years in the face of persecution, blessed along the way with good leaders and bad ones.

What motivates us to belong to the Catholic Church? For some people, being Catholic was an expectation of the time and place in which they lived. In some societies, one had to be Catholic in order to get ahead, much less survive. In our neck of the woods, being Catholic is a choice most of us freely make but would we if our lives were on the line?

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21st Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

When Chris and I met for lunch recently, he reminded me of Marcia’s fascination with tombstones. I recall that she visited cemeteries in New Orleans; together we looked at some while visiting cathedrals in England and the mausoleum in the new cathedral in Los Angeles. I have no clue what her children plan to put on her gravestone at Sunnyside Cemetery but given that she spent many years in religious education and parish ministry, perhaps what one person had placed on his gravestone could serve as Marcia’s last chance to pass a bit of wisdom on to us.

Remember stranger as you pass by
as you are now, so once was I
As I am now, so shall you be
so prepare yourself to follow me.

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Marcia Halligan’s Funeral HomilyRead More »