2017

Marin Luther King Jr. said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is this: What are you doing for others.” Today’s readings all seem to be centered on actions, about the choices we make, about which path we decide to follow. Do we follow the path Jesus set for us or do we veer to the path unknown? Or the path of least resistance?

I love the opening line in the first reading: “The Lord’s way is not fair.” Well, is that true or is it our ways, our wills that are not fair as scripture asks us? Often, in my much younger days, one of my 9 siblings and I would wonder about how much easier our lives would be if our parents had not raised us to be kind to others, to be fair. My sister and I were very close and both of us were searching for answers in our faith.

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26th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

The theme throughout these readings is one of great importance to our well-being: forgiveness, a virtue we find challenging at times to carry out. Being human, we all sin, but how often do we forgive and seek forgiveness?

When Peter asked Jesus how often he must forgive his brother, he probably thought he was being very generous in suggesting seven times as a possible answer. Perhaps he even expected Jesus to praise him for realizing that God expected him to practice the art of forgiveness more than once or twice. When he heard Jesus’ crystal clear reply, I imagine he was speechless. Seventy seven times? Why that is impossible! To drive the point home that we should forgive as often as needed, Jesus cautions that when we refuse to forgive, God will refuse to forgive us.

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24th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

Last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the end of a program known as DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which could impact the future of nearly 800,000 young residents in our country. These young adults, collectively known as “Dreamers,” face the possibility of being deported back to their native countries. This prompted much protest across the country even from some Catholic bishops. It isn’t often that the bishops of our archdiocese issue letters, but this time they did and you will find their letter in this week’s bulletin.

Contrary to what many, including the Attorney General, assume, because they are undocumented, these young adults do not qualify for welfare or a green card, which is needed for citizenship yet they pay their share of taxes and serve in our armed forces. Nor can they stay in the program if they have a criminal record. In short, they are outstanding residents who seek to make a difference in our country.

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23rd Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

Many of you know that from time to time, I have been known to take to the mountains for a 3 or 5 day venture into the wilderness of the Cascade mountain range, usually staying at some campground that is not shown on any map. I mean places that are really off the beaten path.

Well, as I was on my last outing two weeks ago, I realized how important it was to de-compress from the day to day stuff that we all deal with. It was good to clear my head of all that was bouncing around in there. It was refreshing to get rid of all my trials and tribulations. However, one trial stayed around for a while.

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21st Sunday in Ordinary TimeRead More »

Jesus had a wake up call. He had ventured into pagan territory. Until then he had not seen his mission as including pagans, certainly not the Canaanites who were ancient enemies of the Jews. He had even told his disciples, “Go no where among the gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” His initial reaction toward the Canaanite mother who was seeking help for her sick daughter is to ignore her. We then heard a charming story in which Jesus uses language that smacks of bigotry. I cannot think of any other story where Jesus seems so harsh with someone seeking his help. She outwits Jesus, forcing him to change his attitude. He was both challenged and surprised by this encounter.

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20th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »