Do you know why your priest postures change during the mass?  Do you know why/when he faces East (the apse) and faces the people at the celebration?  Have you (been) asked that question?  In this piece, I will address some aspects of that very important theological question. During the mass the priest’s posture changes alternatively  Read more …

No Worries In this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 6:24) we are called to simplify our lives and focus more on God. Jesus calls us to radical simplicity:  “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear…” The American Psychological Association says that 70% of Americans  Read more …

The tithe is 10% of your income, and it should be given to God faithfully. Tithing honors God , the Scriptural principles of generously providing for those in need, and laying up treasures in heaven. Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to give the first part of our resources to God as an expression of honor  Read more …

Please heal me. Coping with health issues is stressful whether it is injury, receiving a diagnosis, chronic disease or terminal illness.  According to many experts, depression, sadness frequently stems from an “incoherent story”, an “inadequate narrative account of oneself” or “a life story gone awry”.  Serious illness is a time of profound change for people  Read more …

“Rise and Come forward.” Jesus spoke these words to a man He had singled out in a synagogue almost 2021 years ago.  For us, these words also express our mission and our faith.  Our passion is for people.  For many, life-changing treasures in the Church have remained “buried”.  The Scriptures, the sacraments, the lives of  Read more …

Over the centuries, the head of John the Baptist has ranked high on the list of the most sought-after relics in Christianity.  The Jewish preacher and prophet, celebrated as one of the earliest Christian saints, is believed to have paved the way for his distant cousin, Jesus, whom John famously baptized in the Jordan River.  Read more …

The Good Samaritan What would you do? The story in today’s Gospel stirs up a mixture of emotions:  Compassion and admiration for what the Samaritan did on the one hand, shock, indignation and disappointment on the other hand over the ways the “religious-pious” peoples reacted to this tragedy. The Samaritan arrives on the scene.  What  Read more …

Last week, we reflected on why we build a church.  This week we look at why a church needs a bridge to the community: go out of the walls in to the world to get back in the walls.  Bridges are amazing structures that fascinate us and provide so much connection.  Imagine a world without  Read more …

Ephphatha!  Be Opened At the heart of today’s Gospel (Mk 7:31-37) there is a small but very important word.  A word that, in its deepest meaning, sums up the whole message and the whole mission of Christ.  Saint Mark writes it in the same language that Jesus pronounced it, so that it is even more  Read more …

“Let it be done unto me accordingly to thy Will” “Let it be done unto me accordingly to thy Will”  Today, with the universal Church, we affirm our belief that Mary, the Mother of God is the perfect model of Christian life; who was preserved from the corruption of the grave and who is the  Read more …