2nd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2012

Here I Am Lord is not just a popular Catholic hymn, but a musical expression of one of the greatest stories of our Christian heritage. Today we explore just who Eli and Samuel were, and how their story still rings true today. The world needs to hear these stories and sing this song.

3rd Sunday of Advent - 2011

An encounter with Jesus Christ can be as powerful an event as an exploding bomb. Christmas is that kind of encounter. Just as major events in history call forth new leaders, so do major events in the Church and major events in our lives of faith. Who will step up in this generation? What will this Christmas bring?

2nd Sunday of Advent - 2011

This homily is part of a Vocation Mission given at Holy Cross Parish in Kaukauna, WI. The world is full of unique people who offer their unique gifts. The question this Christmas is not what kind of gifts you will give or receive; rather, what kind of gift will you be? Today we highlight the gift that spiritual fathers make in the Church.

1st Sunday of Advent - 2011

The First Sunday of Advent 2011 marks the beginning of a new era in the Church. This homily was shared with the Carmelite Sisters of Denmark, WI, as we began this new liturgical year and new translation of the Roman Missal. It highlights four ways we can keep watch this Advent Season.

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King - 2011

There has always been a tension between the use of informal language and formal language when we pray to God. Is Jesus Christ our king, or our friend? The texts of the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal highlight Christ's rule as king, without lessening his love and friendship with us as adopted sons and daughters of God.

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

What does it mean to be a useful servant? In the eyes of the world, some of the ways we live our faith might be counted as useless. Yet God calls us to serve in the spiritual realm. Today we examine the vocation of a cloistered Carmelite nun as a way of being a useful servant and showing devotion to the Eucharist.

32nd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

Having recently commemorated All Souls Day, we reflect upon what happens when we die. In the Catholic world, we often speak of purgatory. How do we imagine, pray, and hope about the reality of death?

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

Priesthood Sunday. Humans have a taste for things that are authentic. We are called to be authentic disciples. St. Paul defines this authenticity for us today in his First Letter to the Thessalonians. A shortage of authenticity leads to a shortage of vocations. Let us be authentic in all we say, do, and live.

29th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

What happens when we step out of bounds? How often to we cross out of our proper realm and into the realm of sin? Jesus teaches us today that we must function and serve within our chosen vocation, and give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's.

28th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

Should we shield the children from Jesus' violent parables? Jesus' dramatic parable today is meant to elicit a dramatic response from his audience. Sometimes we must not only imagine Jesus' parables as they are being told, but also imagine the audience he is targeting.

26th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

Doing the will of the Father often means changing what we are doing right now. How resistant we are to change! We expect the world to accommodate to our needs. Rather, the essence of obedience is to accommodate to Christ and the Church. Obedience saved the world.

25th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

You cannot calculate God's justice. God's ways are not our ways. Too often we take the robotic, calculated approach to life. When our hearts are activated by the generousity of God, then we are living more fully alive and our ways conform to God's ways.

24th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

Today Peter asks about forgiveness. For Peter to ask this question, he necessarily must possess a personal struggle with forgiveness. Rightly then, he approaches Jesus for himself, as well as for the Church. On the anniversary of September 11, 2001, we are asked to step back and reflect upon the radical call to drop anger and un-forgiveness.

23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

Jesus Christ is always in our midst and calling us to go deeper into life and love. How often do we miss this reality because we are not aware of God's presence. This Gospel calls us to go deeper, and the story of a priest at a seminary will also help us all go deeper.

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

It is a natural human tendency to trade stuff. As we traveled to World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, it was normal for pilgrims to trade. What if we encountered Jesus Christ in our travels and he offered to trade with us? What could you give in exchange for your life? Take up your cross and follow me!

19th Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

Peter ventures out to "walk on water". This Gospel narrative captures our imaginations and makes us wonder if we could do the same. What does it take to walk on water? Jesus' encounter with Peter points to a time and place when we will be able to tread upon nature.

16th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2011

St. Paul reminds us that "We do not know how to pray as we ought". Given the help of the Holy Spirit, this should not bring us to despair. The real problem is that sometimes we just do not pray at all! Lack of prayer closes us off to the Holy Spirit's workings. Today's message from St. Paul is a call to prayer. Homily is given in conjuction with the 2011 Seminarian Collection.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - 2011

Today we go searching the streets for the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. The Trinity cannot be figured out intellectually; rather, it must be experienced. Today we reflect on the kind of love that helps us experience the Trinity and live in the fullness of God's life and love.

6th Sunday of Easter - 2011

This is a season of boldness. Bold flavors, and bold preaching. The Holy Spirit is the Boldness of God. As we prepare for Pentecost, are we prepared to be as bold as our early ancestors in faith?

5th Sunday of Easter - 2011

Building houses is part of our nature; like birds who build nests. But then again, so is longing to live in God's spiritual household. May we stir up the desire to "be built into a spiritual household" by spending time on our spiritual lives. "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places."

4th Sunday of Easter - 2011

A World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Good Shepherd Sunday. The power of Peter's preaching reveals the power of the Voice of the Good Shepherd. After the Ascension, the Voice of the Shepherd still calls us especially through preaching and prayer. That Voice can cut right into our hearts.

3rd Sunday of Easter - 2011

On the walk along the road to Emmaus, we learn that God is always listening in on our debates and conversations. The microphone is always on. When we speak about God, or to God, then Jesus often shows up. These great truths should make us examine what-and-who we talk about. Liturgy is rightly then our great conversation with the Father, where Christ once again shows up.

2nd Sunday of Easter - 2011

Peace be with you! This is the most frequent phrase that Jesus utilizes. How can we be agents of peace? On this Divine Mercy Sunday, a few lessons from the saints are in order. May we all be able to say and live: Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Easter Sunday - 2011

This homily is part of a series given to the Carmelite Sisters of Denmark, WI. They are a cloistered order and it was an honor to celebrate the Sacred Triduum with them. Please note the audience and the setting as you listen to these homilies.

Easter Vigil - 2011

This homily is part of a series given to the Carmelite Sisters of Denmark, WI. They are a cloistered order and it was an honor to celebrate the Sacred Triduum with them. Please note the audience and the setting as you listen to these homilies.

Good Friday - 2011

This homily is part of a series given to the Carmelite Sisters of Denmark, WI. They are a cloistered order and it was an honor to celebrate the Sacred Triduum with them. Please note the audience and the setting as you listen to these homilies.

Holy Thursday - 2011

This homily is part of a series given to the Carmelite Sisters of Denmark, WI. They are a cloistered order and it was an honor to celebrate the Sacred Triduum with them. Please note the audience and the setting as you listen to these homilies.

4th Sunday of Lent - 2011

God led the prophet Samuel to choose David as a king. This choice means his seven other brothers were not chosen. God chose to heal a blind man. It seems that God loves to "choose". What does this mean for us and our own life of grace?

3rd Sunday of Lent - 2011

From desert to mountaintop to hostile Samaritan country; our Lenten journey continues. Today we stand with the "Woman at the Well". After reading the literal text, we will go on an adventure with St. Augustine to understand the spiritual meaning of this woman's five husbands. Ultimately, the Lord will take us deeper into this season of Lent.

2nd Sunday of Lent - 2011

The Transfiguration is a revelation of the vocation of the Apostles. From this mountaintop experience, the three Apostles become more convicted in their hearts that they are on a mission. Life is more meaningful when you are convicted that you have a mission. This applies to every area of our lives, but most especially to our spiritual lives.

1st Sunday of Lent - 2011

Eve and Adam face the forbidden fruit and fail. Jesus faces the devil and wins. Sometimes we conquer our temptations, and other times we fail. Today we learn a lesson on temptation from St. Therese, and we make the choice this Lent not to rely on our own power.

7th Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

The Sermon on the Mount could also be seen as a gathering of the troops before spiritual battle. This brings back the phrase "Soldier for Christ" in its positive sense. Today we use St. Martin of Tours as an example of one who allowed the Sermon on the Mount to transform his life.

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

Our first reading from Sirach reminds us that we do not have a license to sin. If that is the case, what kind of licenses do we have? As the Sermon on the Mount continues, Jesus reveals to us what our new license and our new law is all about. We have been issued a license to love.

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2011

Jesus makes clear that earthly life is more than a journey; it is necessarily a "spiritual" journey. The Beatitudes offer us the moral map for that journey. Let Jesus Christ be your guide as you venture into the Sermon on the Mount.

3rd Sunday of Advent - 2010

Gaudete Sunday! We rejoice as we listen to God's promises to make the desert bloom and bring forth joyful song. Do we trust in God's promises? Do we believe that new life can come from the dryest, most barren parts of the world and the rockiest parts of our lives? John the Baptist asks the same question as he sits in jail today. The answer is a resounding YES!

2nd Sunday of Advent - 2010

Advent and Christmas are seasona full of bells. They ring at the shops, and they ring in our homes. Bells are a powerful means of communication. John the Baptist is like a bell for us today. They saints, like St. Francis Xavier, are also prophetic voices for us this season. The bells are all here to warn us about Christ's coming. Be the bell!

1st Sunday of Advent - 2010

Christmas is coming. Today in the Scriptures we do not hear about the manger or the baby; rather, we hear about Noah, the flood, and the second coming. These are the days of Noah. If we want to survive the floods of life, we must learn a few lessons from Noah, from Christ, and from the Church. God wants us to survive this Advent Season.

Solemnity of Christ the King - 2010

The world is fascinated by royalty even in these modern times. The Bible has its royal stories as well. Are we of royal blood or are we commoners? This feast has something to teach us and tell us about our nature, and the saving work of Christ, and the royal wedding Christ has with the Church.

32nd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

What is Jesus trying to tell us with his teachings on the Resurrection? Perhaps we should not over-think the whole matter or make it into a complicated theology. The resurrection of the body is simply an optimistic stance/promise concerning life here and hereafter. If our eyes are open, and we receive grace, we can see the resurrection all around us.

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time - 2010

Are vampires real? The Gospel today reveals to us that there are many realities - seen and unseen - that want entry into our spiritual houses. Who will you let in? Zacchaeus let God in and his life changed! This homily touches on Halloween, Priesthood Sunday, and the story of Zacchaeus.

29th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

What are some traits of good prayer, and what are some errors in prayer today? Jesus gives us a parable on prayer that reminds us that we need to pray over, and over, and over again. There are other things in our lives that we make habits of, such as shooting a basketball. Why not prayer?

27th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

It's the little things in life that matter most. This spiritual truth is given to us throughout the Bible. Even a little faith, the size of a mustard seed, can change the world. This is also the lesson of the saints, like Therese of Lisieux. And this is Respect Life Sunday... where little things (embryos) matter.

26th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

Today the Poet Robert Frost speaks speaks to us. For those who think poetry is boring, give this poem a chance. "The Mending Wall" helps us understand the profound statement that Jesus makes with his parable about the Rich Man and Lazarus. It's all about walls and fences.

25th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

In order for the great St. Paul to build up the Church, he needed a guy like Timothy. Today we explore Paul's first letter to Timothy and realize that their deep freindship is important for us to understand today. Together they traveled, preached, and brought order to the Christian Communities. This vocations homily was given at a youth mass at Nativity Parish in Green Bay, WI.

15th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

Today God asks us to listen; which is the same as to obey. There is such a history of disobedience in our human story that it makes this command seem impossible. In spite of our perpetual disobedience, the Lord keeps telling us to obey and follow our hearts. This same struggle is illustrated as well in film and media.

13th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

Why did Jesus want to go to Jerusalem so badly? A simple modern church hymn highlights our desire to follow Jesus to Jerusalem without excuses, or whining, or opposition. Jesus calls us to march onward.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - 2010

As many sermons revolve around food examples; so does this Trinity Sunday sermon. The mystery of the Trinity must be tackled one bite at a time. It teaches about the ordered life of God working in the world. There is a special emphasis on Holy Orders.

6th Sunday of Easter - 2010

The Holy Spirit is a forward moving Spirit. We can watch that Holy Spirit in Acts move the Early Church forward, and it is apparent that it wants to move our lives forward as well. In fact, the Holy Spirit does not have a reverse gear. Happy Mother's Day.

5th Sunday of Easter - 2010

Why would we read from Jesus' farewell discourse/speech in the midst of the joy of Easter? Perhaps we are not supposed to forget his last dying request as we travel down the Easter road. As Jesus faces death, he tells us his last wishes. We need to carry them out!

2nd Sunday of Easter - 2010

Are the words "Peace be with you" still words that we can use? The Risen Christ has a few words for doubting Thomas, denying Peter, and for each of us. He says, "Peace be with you." A real life example shows us how to use these words today.

Easter Sunday - 2010

He is Risen! The power of this proclamation sends people running in all sorts of directions. Today we celebrate our salvation as revealed by the Risen Lord. Will this message send you running this Easter season?

5th Sunday of Lent - 2010

They were ready to stone the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. What are those stones really all about? How does Jesus address them? Perhaps the stone is but a symbol of the human heart, and we need to allow the Lord to change our hearts from stones into flesh this Lenten season of grace.

4th Sunday of Lent - Laetare Sunday - 2010

The prodigal son returns! But who is the real prodigal? There are multiple characters in this story who are so-called "prodigals" and we find ourselves trying to identify with these characters. There are "good" prodigals and "bad" prodigals. On this Laetare Sunday we take the time to understand what "prodigal" means.

3rd Sunday of Lent - 2010

The presence of God helps us to "power-up". Today's generation of youth is quite familiar with this concept because of all the video games they play. God's presence is distinct and tangible most especially in the sacraments. As we celebrate the 1st RCIA Scrutiny of exorcism, I have chosen to read the option for the "Woman at the Well", who had an intimate encounter with the presence of God.

1st Sunday of Lent - 2010

Today Jesus teaches us how to use the word, "NO". Why do we always feel like we have to say "Yes" to everything and everyone? There are many lessons to be learned about saying "No". Lent is all about self-denial and denying temptation; that requires an honest "No".

6th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

On this Valentine's Day Weekend and a World Day for Marriage, we reflect on love poems. In some ways, the Beatitudes are a love poem; but in Luke's Gospel we are reminded that they are so much more. These are certainly moral teachings meant to guide our lives. Today these Beatitudes can prepare us for lent, teach us about love, and challenge our hearts.

5th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

Life lessons are learned in all kinds of places. The call of the Apostles can teach us a few life lessons. Today we reflect on the tools that those fishermen relied on for their work; the tools they left behind; the new tools Jesus would equip them with; and the tools that we need to be disciples today. This homily is linked with the bishop's appeal.

3rd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

"Radical" is from the Latin "radix" meaning roots. To be radically God-centered means to go back to our foundations. Nehemiah, Ezra, St. Paul, and Jesus the Christ call us to do just that. When you are God-centered nothing is left as mere "chance". Today we preach a the radical Gospel of Life and how we are called to be radically more than just mediocre.

2nd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2010

The "Wedding Feast at Cana" captures the imagination of Christains and college students alike. But the story is not just about a ridiculous amount of wine. Tonight we highlight three truths that are found in his Scripture Story. The story also evokes some personal witness form my own life.

The Baptism of the Lord - 2010

Jesus' Baptism is our Baptism. As Christ suffocated Satan in the Jordan, so must we suffocate and choke evil through the power of our Baptism (St. Ephraim). Learn how Jesus unmasks sin and death through a non-violent attack on evil and pride. It was all revealed in Baptism.

The Epiphany of the Lord - 2010

Bethlehem's guest book has many entries in it this time of year. The final entry is the three Magi. Everyone who visited the baby Jesus and is recorded in the Scriptures is quite significant. So what can we learn from the Magi today? Are you in the Lord's guest book?

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Aren't we supposed to be just like the Holy Family? Well... not exactly. But we are certainly supposed to draw from their holiness. Today we learn that holiness comes in the everyday tensions of family life. In this tension - with love - we grow closer to God.

4th Sunday of Advent - 2009

Count your blessings! But what is a blessing? As Christmas approaches, we must focus not only on the blessings, but also our love of God himself. St. John of the Cross helps us do this, and so does the story of the Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth, John the Baptist and Jesus.

3rd Sunday of Advent - 2009

Gaudete Sunday! Studies show that smiling makes us love longer. Today is a day to smile since Christmas is almost here. But the true source of a smile must be something deepr than mere emotion. The Scriptures relate that our closeness with God is the true cause of our joy.

Immaculate Conception - 2009

Today we understand the power of God, the mercy of God, and the providence of God as he chooses Mary to be set aside from Sin so that we could be saved. She is the weakspot in Satan's plan and the tear in the veil of sin and death. Ultimately, this is a feast of hope.

2nd Sunday of Advent - 2009

This week I will only offer a short reflection on the Gospel. It is important to grasp the reality that Christ entered into corrupt historical/political structures. That includes the past, present, and future. It alos includes our own lives. We must be ready for his earth-shattering presence and his bold prophets.

1st Sunday of Advent - 2009

As we begin Luke's Gospel, we find yet more doomsday prophecies. What about the happy and joyful Advent readings? How should we respond to all of this? Jesus is preparing us to be lifted up into His kingdom. Advent 2009 is about lifting up our souls to God.

The Solemnity of Christ the King - 2009

To Jesus Christ our Sovereign King we give glory and honor and obedience. But where is his reign? His reign is in the Church who instructs and guides the faithful. On this feast, we must look at the active relationship of Obedience we have with Christ and His Church.

33rd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Will the world end in the year 2012? There are so many theories floating around about the apocolypse. Where does the Church stand? Nobody has the answers, but we do have a way of approaching the question of Christ's return in the fullness of time.

32nd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Today the old widow has returned to put her pennies in the treasury. And so yet another stewardship message is upon us. Maybe stewardship is not always about giving "more". Sometimes it involves giving "less" so we give "from our poverty". This message ties into our RCIA Accceptance and Welcome Weekend

Solemnity of All Saints - 2009

Like a GPS system, the saints help us to know where we are and where we are going. Today we draw out this analogy and see how the saints help us along "the way". They continue to live and be active in the world today for our salvation and so everyone needs at least 5 saints in their lives.

30th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Priesthood Sunday [USA]. The Scriptures reveal to us the essence of the priesthood of Jesus Christ, which is linked to the ancient sacrifice of the altar. Fulton Sheen once said, "The countries that have priests are the countries that want priests." What did he mean by that? What is a priest?

29th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

A new saint and a new hero has been declared: St. Damien de Veuster. As we read the Gospel and reflect on heroes, it is time to see how LifeTeen is doing with this years theme of heroic virtue. When will your local church be part of a papal homily? Is their heroic virtue and humble service in your midst and in your life?

28th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

The rich young man walked away sad, for he had many possessions. So what is the rest of the story? What if we were to encounter this man at a ten-year reunion? How has life been different since that day? Will he eventually find eternal life? This homily was also given on Respect Life Sunday.

27th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

In order to get somewhere, you need a vehicle. In the spiritual life, there are many vehicles. Ultimately, your Vocation is your Vehicle for Salvation. Today we look at one such vocation: Christian Marriage. The Lord takes it seriously, and so should we.

26th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

If your hand causes you to sin; cut it off. How do we make sense of Scripture passages like this? The answer can be found through our Catholic methods of interpreting the Scriptures. These methods do NOT detract from the seriousness of what Jesus was trying to tell us. The story of Aron Ralston can help us here.

25th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

The first LifeTeen mass of the year at SFA. As the year begins, we must look at passions. The Letter of James implies that passions can either start wars, or lead us to joy and love. What do we believe about passions? Does God want us to have passions? One of the remedies for bad passions is virtue; which is the theme for our LifeTeen year.

24th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

The disciples go on a journey with Jesus, and he asks them to define who he is. There is a right and a wrong answer to his question. Some answers are somewhat close, while others are balderdash - nonsense. Peter seems to be on to something here. How does Christ define your life?

23rd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Today Jesus gets close and personal with a deaf man. He touches his ears and his tongue. Would you let God that close to you? Why do we often treat Jesus like a stranger? This homily is about right boundaries and healthy intimacy with God and others.

22nd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2008

Hypocrites! Jesus rants against the hypocrites. How do I know that I am not a hypocrite? Maybe I am? Some people claim that the churches are full of hypocrites and that they cannot stand it anymore. What should I say to them?

21st Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

As we finish the "Bread of Life" discourse, we must develop the attitude of a fisherman. Fishermen say, "Go Big, or Go Home!" This is the way Catholics ought to approach the Eucharist: If it is anything less than Christ's true presence, then we shouldn't bother even coming to mass. We need to "Go Big", "Think Big", and "Believe Big" as Catholics.

20th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Lately we have been talking about the Eucharist as a food. Now it is time to zoom-out and focus on the whole meal experience - not just the food. The Liturgy is the whole meal. This is not "fast food", it is a whole-meal-experience that dips back into history for thousands of years. This is also our seminarian collection weekend at SFA.

19th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

As we encounter Elijah's story, the Bread of Life discourse, the Liturgy, and our own stories, we must ask ourselves an essential question. Today I offer you that one question that will help with all of life's discernments and even Scripture Interpretation as well. It is a very biblical question. It is a question that could save us from trouble as we journey through life.

18th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

All foods will eventually spoil. The "Bread of Life" discourse continues this week as Jesus appeals to our senses. The Lord tells us to work for imperishable food that brings everlasting life. What does it mean to "work" for this food? This reflection on the Eucharist also comes on a day when we welcome a new candidate into the Church at SFA.

15th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Prophet training part II! The work of the prophet continues this week as we look deeper into the prophetic way. Today Amos and the Apostles show us what we should be doing as prophets. Prophets never shut-up, they speak emphatically, and they refuse to run in the face of adversity. Instead they focus on the WORD of God and God's grace.

14th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

What is it like to be a prophet-preacher? We learn a lot about the prophetic mission today from a few different prophets. A prophet must ride the line between being "well-liked", and never compromising the Truth. In other words, the mission of a prophet is not simply to be "well-liked". How tough it is to be a prophet!

13th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Why does Jesus say that this 12-year-old girl is not dead, but that she is only asleep? Maybe sleep is important and death should be looked at as more of a "sleep". Who doesn't want more sleep? This homily is part-two of a series on why death should not be so awefully feared in light of what Christ has done for us.

12th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

We are talking about rain storms, thunder, and lightning today. It is also Father's Day Weekend. How does God bring us to the storm and bring us through the storm? Afterall, it was Jesus' idea to put the disciples in a dangerous situation on the Sea of Galilee in a boat. How do we cross to the "other side"?

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Feast of Corpus Christi. St. Ignatius of Antioch called the Eucharist the "Medicine of Immortality". It saves us from death and brings us to life everlasting. Even if you struggle with belief, it still works on your soul. So today we worship a presence that surpasses modern drugs and pills.

Most Holy Trinity - 2009

Is the Trinity simple or complex? Rather than talk about God - Father, Son, and Spirit - as a mere doctrine, today we experience the Trinity in the Liturgy. The Trinity is the inner-life of God. We too have an inner life, and this reality helps us encounter the Trinity, especially in worship and Eucharist.

Pentecost - 2009

All of our encounters with God come through the Holy Spirit. In our God-language, we need to call upon and rely on the Holy Spirit. Drawing from Scripture, St. Ambrose called the Spirit a Great River. This is a good image for us today on Pentecost.

Ascension Sunday - 2009

The Ascension is not the most popular feast in the Church. Perhaps that is because this is not a feast where we "get" something, this is a feast where we have to let something go. What happens when we let go of Jesus' physical body? Is there life without his physical presence? This feast says there is the fullness of life!

6th Sunday of Easter - 2009

In Jesus' farewell discourse found in John's Gospel, Jesus tried to tell us what to do after he was gone. Most of our prayer life however is spent telling Jesus what to do. Maybe it is time we change our prayer! Perhaps we have it all backwards and we need to approach the Risen Christ with a different attitude this Easter Season.

5th Sunday of Easter - 2009

Easter feasting and organic foods. Jesus calls us to have an "organic" relationship with God through this image of the vine and branches. This Gospel challenges us to be pruned, and fruitful, in a natural ways. Artificial fruit in our spiritual life is no good. Go natural.

4th Sunday of Easter - 2009

Sheep, wolves, and the Good Shepherd. What is this all about? We can learn from St. Francis how to deal with wolves this easter season. He is just one example of how we are called to imitate the Good Shepherd and lay down our lives. Day of prayer for Vocations.

Palm Sunday - 2009

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. Jesus is the master director of a saving plan. He constantly gives commands even as he faces death. He says to us through the Church, "The Master has need of you." Our Passion becomes His Passion and we are saved.

5th Sunday of Lent - 2009

March Madness! There has been plenty of madness this month. What does God have to say about all of it? There is no March Magic to fix our March Madness, but there is plenty of Mercy. How do we encounter the Mercy of God?

4th Sunday of Lent - 2009

Laetare Sunday! As humans we are fascinated by shows like "Law and Order". Likewise, Nicodemus was fascinated by the Law and Order of Jewish life. Today Jesus gives him and us the verdict. Tune in and find out!

2nd Sunday of Lent - 2009

Abraham and Isaac: A story that gets your heart racing. This story inspires us to want to be a Hero of Faith, but most of us do not have what it takes. That's okay. We need to learn to rely on Christ's sacrifice and not to do things for our own reward. That's the "Abraham mentality" that Lent puts forth.

1st Sunday of Lent - 2009

From the flood to the desert. What is Lent all about? A season of conflicting images challenge us to get on board with the Church, follow Christ through the desert, and renew our Baptism. Also the RCIA Rite of Sending today.