Persistence is one of the hallmarks of Christian prayer. Abraham is persistent in interceding with God on behalf of the town of Sodom. Even so, God destroyed Sodom because not even 10 righteous men were found. Were Abraham’s efforts in vain? Surely God knew the number of good people in the doomedContinue Reading
What is the better part that Jesus refers to? The story of Martha and Mary may leave us a little confused. Why did Jesus rebuke Martha for her hospitality? Even looking to the first reading does not help much. Abraham’s hospitality to the Lord seems to be the focus there. ButContinue Reading
The Creator of all things is still present in the things He has created. St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians echoes the Gospel according to Saint John. “All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.” All of creation was made through Christ,Continue Reading
There are times when, despite our best efforts, we fail. Even though we know that our ministry is desperately needed, we are sometimes rejected. Jesus told us to work hard. He told us there would be difficulties because we are as lambs going out among wolves. He cautioned us toContinue Reading
The Church is often referred to as the Bark of Saint Peter. A bark is a type of boat. From its’ earliest days the Church was seen as a boat sailing on unpredictable and sometimes dangerous seas. It is unsurprising that this analogy was extended to the ship’s wheel thatContinue Reading
As Disciples of Christ we are called to decide every day to pick up our cross and follow Him. This goes much further than bearing our own little problems from day to day. It means that we are actually called to set aside those problems, and not let them distractContinue Reading
What does it mean to live for Christ? What does it mean when Paul tells us it is no longer he who lives but Christ who lives in him? In Paul’s time it was believed that the only way to have a right relationship with God was to follow theContinue Reading
How many of us live the way God intended for us to live? How often do we do what is easy instead of what is right? Do we even notice the slow death of our spiritual lives as we engage in sinful behavior? Saint Paul was set apart, in hisContinue Reading
How can we call ourselves God’s family? When I give Baptismal Preparation classes I often ask the men in the room, “How many of you thought you were marrying just one person, and then come to find that you actually married an entire family?” The heads of the men almostContinue Reading
The Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is one God but three persons. How can one God be three persons? Too often we ask the wrong question. Rather, we should ask, what does the dogma of the Trinity say about our purpose in life? Think back to the bestContinue Reading