As you can readily see from the change in color from green to purple, we have with Advent entered into the beginning of a new liturgical season and year. Thanksgiving and Black Friday are now history. Staring at the calendar, we are aware that Christmas is less than a month away. Will we be ready when that day comes? Will the cards and packages have been sent in time? Will the shopping be done? Will all the decorations and tree be in place? Will the menu be planned and the pantry stocked? Will the travel itinerary be worked out? Undoubtedly, the deadline of Christmas can be a bit overwhelming for a fair number of us.

…

1st Sunday of AdventRead More »

What are your “Be-attitudes?” I recall that the Army once used the slogan, “Be all you can be.” The slogan was often interpreted to mean, “be strong, be independent, be successful, and be perfect.”

That message encouraged recruits to be positive about themselves; but, anyone who adopts this attitude could encounter trouble sooner or later because it could also suggest we don’t need anyone else, not even God. But in fact we do need God and one another.

…

All SaintsRead More »

Over a glass of wine one evening, a friend flatly stated that she did not believe in hell. She argued that if God loves us unconditionally then no one would ever be sent to such a dismal place for eternity. She is not alone in thinking that. Jesus shares the same hope that no one would end there but he also knows that not everyone will listen to his message of salvation. He often cautions that our ultimate destiny depends on the choices we make. God doesn’t reject sinners; rather sinners reject God, so hell should be seen as a place for those who reject God’s ways.

In our times a false gospel has arisen, which has won many hearts and minds to its misguided ethic that could be called the “Gospel of Nice.” It never mentions “hell” because that might hurt someone’s feelings and it never corrects anyone’s wrongdoing for fear of losing human respect or friendship.

…

26th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

With so many candidates running for the presidency, some whom few of us never heard of a year ago, I could picture anyone of them asking one of us, “Do you know who I am?” Of course, politicians want to be recognized.  When George Bush was president, he visited a nursing home once. He came upon a wizened old man hobbling down the hallway. Taking the man by the hand, President Bush asked, “Sir, do you know who I am?” The man replied, “No, but if you ask one of the nurses, she can tell you.”

…

24th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

The theme through these readings prompts the question of staying or leaving. Joshua knew what he was committed to. He also knew that many who had followed him in the desert for 40 years to reach the Promised Land were now attracted to the many gods of their neighbors. “If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” They replied, “We will also serve the Lord, for he is our God.”

…

21st Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »