With the story of “Doubting Thomas” it is easy to overlook the more significant event in today’s Gospel. The Lord imparts the Holy Spirit to His community of believers and admonishes them to forgive one another’s sins. This is much more than Jesus instructing his priests. It is an instructionContinue Reading
“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are an Easter people and alleluia is our song.” Pope John Paul II What does it mean to be an Easter people? Easter is the celebration of the risen Lord, it is also called Resurrection Sunday. It is the day the Lord walkedContinue Reading
In ancient Judea a donkey was a very valuable commodity. It was transportation, it carried loads, and it helped to cultivate the land. It was often a person’s prized possession. A donkey that had never been ridden was especially valuable, much like we value a new car that has neverContinue Reading
Traditionally the fifth Sunday of Lent was referred to as Passion Sunday. Nowadays Palm Sunday shares this designation. But still, with today’s readings we shift our focus to the coming Passion. We do this because the Lord shows us it is the proper time to do so. Some Greeks wishContinue Reading
There was a time when the Lenten fast was much more severe than it is today. We can get an idea of just how severe from observing the current traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church. As they get closer to Easter the scope of the fast expands. By the beginningContinue Reading
Other projects kept me from getting back to this as soon as I had hoped but I was finally able to put some time in to get it finished. This is the cross that was started at the live painting event at Easter’s Books and Gifts. It portrays the crucifixContinue Reading
What constitutes true worship? This is the theme we meditate on as we come to the middle of the Lenten season. God reveals Himself in the giving of the 10 commandments. He introduces Himself as the sole God and any form of idol worship is therefore worthy of punishment. AllContinue Reading
Recently completed private commission. A samurai kneels before the Blessed Virgin Mary and the child Jesus. Executed in a style reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints.Continue Reading
For the Jews the sacrifice of Abraham is the climax of their covenant relationship with God. It is seen as a double sacrifice. First there is the sacrifice of the father, Abraham, willing to give up his own son. Then there is the sacrifice of the son who willingly givesContinue Reading
The shortest verse in the bible is “Jesus wept.” Jesus wept over the loss of His friend Lazarus and how that loss affected Lazarus’ sisters, Martha and Mary. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the people would not accept the love He offered them. When Jesus weeps it is perhaps thenContinue Reading