Today’s gospel tells the familiar story of “doubting” Thomas. He doubted what the other apostles told him and who could blame him? No one had ever risen from the dead before, certainly not after such a gruesome death. This all changed when he saw the risen Lord himself a week later. How ironic that “doubting” Thomas was the first to say, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus’ next comment is meant for us as well. “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” How blessed we are!

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2nd Sunday of EasterRead More »

No matter how we present it, the message of Easter is incredible. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is risen from the dead! This event cannot be denied. If historians were to rank the significant events of all time, I believe many would place the resurrection of Jesus at the top of their list. Probably no singular or more incredible event has had a greater impact than what happened on the third day following Jesus’ death on the cross. All the gospels tell us that on that day an empty tomb was discovered. So what was the impact?

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EasterRead More »

Each year during Holy Week, we journey with Jesus amid the crowds that shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The day is filled with jubilation and praise. The King of peace is welcomed but a few days later, the people will demand his death on the cross.

The gospel narratives of the Passion recount how the sins of the people and their leaders at the time conspired to bring about the Passion and death of Jesus, implying that we are all to blame. Their sins and ours bring Christ to the cross and he bears them willingly. As Paul told us in this letter, Jesus emptied himself totally, becoming obedient to the point of death. He subjected himself to such torture and pain so that he could then take on the fullness of humanity.

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Palm SundayRead More »

With all the rain lately, we take water for granted. With the turn of the tap, we have clean safe water for drinking, washing, and bathing. Many people in third world countries are not so fortunate. Like the Samaritan woman, they still go to the well with buckets and jugs to carry water back home and so would we if we didn’t have running water.

In May of 1976 when Guam was hit by a powerful typhoon, we were left without power and no power meant no water. The day after the storm, my roommate and I drove to a nearby hotel with a brand new plastic garbage can to obtain drinking water. Imagine the look on the cop’s face when we drove by very slowly with the container full of water carefully balanced on the hood of our car. …

3rd Sunday of LentRead More »

A very overweight man decided for Lent to go on a diet. He even changed his usual commute to work in order to avoid passing his favorite bakery. One morning he arrived at the office carrying a large, sugar coated coffee cake. His colleagues chided him, but he only smiled, shrugged his shoulders and said, “What could I do? This is a very special cake. By force of habit, I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and there in the window were trays of goodies.

“Well, I felt this was no accident that I happened to pass by so I prayed, ‘Lord, if you really want me to have one of those delicious coffee cakes, let me find a parking space right in front of the bakery.’ And sure enough on the ninth time around the block, there it was!” …

1st Sunday of LentRead More »