2017

Jesus undoubtedly stunned his listeners with what he said in today’s gospel by challenging their views on morality. Last week what I said along with the Bishops’ prayer for migrants and refugees ruffled some feathers. Several parishioners complained to me that politics do not belong in Church. The way we deal with immigrants and refugees may sound like partisan politics. However, like many others, I see the issue of immigration as a matter of faith and justice, not politics.

The heritage of our nation is based on immigration. Every one of us owes our presence here to migration. If not us, then our ancestors who came seeking a safer life than what they left behind. The motivation to leave their homeland and face an unknown future outweighed the situation they were in, be it economic or political unrest or religious persecution. …

6th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

Collecting things of all kinds is somewhat of a popular activity to do. We collect stamps, bottles of all kinds, bells, rare books, art, coins, and many other articles. A group of collectors was holding an exhibit in a Catholic Church hall. The altar Society ran a snack bar selling hot coffee and hamburgers.

One visitor purchased a cup of coffee and a hamburger. As he was walking around looking at the items on display while eating his burger he went past a display of salt and pepper shakers. (a couple hundred of them) He discovered that his hamburger needed some salt. He set his coffee down and reached for one of the salt shakers and found no salt. He tried at least a dozen of them and guess what-No Salt! Finally he went back to the snack bar and got some salt. …

5th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

In July of 1776, 57 men who believed in our intrinsic human right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness signed the Declaration of Independence. That has been the American credo ever since. Our very presence here suggests that we have life and liberty, but have we found happiness?

If not, then perhaps we need to first consider what happiness is. Many people associate happiness with pleasure and having what they desire, yet psychologists tell us happiness cannot be purchased. The Oxford Dictionary defines happiness as “deep pleasure in, or contentment with, one’s circumstances.” In other words, the poorest person in our community could be quite happy while the richest person could be very unhappy in spite of his or her wealth. …

4th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

Once while having lunch with Archbishop Brunett, he picked up the bottle of water on my tray and exclaimed, “Thirty grams of sugar! Wow!” Stunned by his comment, I felt like he was saying, “Shame on you!” He then told me that he had pretty much eliminated sugar from his diet. Now, I could see the value of cutting out candy, cookies, and deserts, but any thing that has sugar, like carrots and potatoes? With skepticism, I asked him if this sugar free diet really worked and he bragged that he had lost 35 pounds.

I am not suggesting that any of us here need to go on such a diet but in today’s gospel, we find Jesus walking through the most unchurched region of ancient Israel, Zebulun and Naphtali, urging those who would listen to consider a diet free of sin. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” …

3rd Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

In the mountains of northern India, where the temperatures can drop dangerously low, travelers keep warm with a small vessel, wrapped in cloth that contains a burning coal. Three men were traveling toward the sacred cave of Amarnath when one of them saw other travelers suffering from the cold. He took the coal out of his vessel and lit a fire so everyone could get warm. They continued their trip alive.

When it grew dark, the second traveler used the burning coal from his vessel to light a torch so that all in the party could see the path and travel safely. Mocking the other two, the third man said, “You fools! You wasted your fire for the sake of strangers.”

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2nd Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »