As we move toward the Holy Nativity and Christmas, we hear stories of John the Baptist, Mary, the Archangel Gabriel, the dream of Joseph, the journey to Bethlehem, and the mystic stargazers from the East. We are given rich opportunities to anticipate the coming of Jesus and reflect on what it all means in our lives.    The Advent stories are part of the belief narrative that Christ has come and will come again. It is a narrative that looks both to the past and to the future b

John 18. 33-38 This scriptural account of the exchange between Jesus and Pilot feels fitting in that it speaks of kings and of truth, both of which are relevant to the times in which we live. Ours is a time when many people are resisting the desire of the one who seems thirsty for power and eager to wear the crown of a king. This is also a time when there are big questions about what is truth.    I have learned that scripture does not have all the answers but instead filled w

by Brother Robert Sevensky, OHC I begin with a quote from Father Dan Ward, a Benedictine monk of St. John's Abbey, Collegeville:   “Monastic life is not a static life of perfection...but a journey of coming to recognize human weaknesses and then depending upon God's mercy and help to grow into a tender, understanding and gentle person. Thus, monastic commitment is not a commitment to be instantly perfect, but a commitment to seek God and grow into perfection. This is why a mo

Luke 18:9-14 I like parables, and today’s is no exception. As the story goes, two men went to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee who seemed quite pleased with himself; the other a tax collector who couldn’t even raise his face to God out of his sense of unworthiness and need for mercy. The Pharisee thought that he had gotten it all right and thanked God he wasn’t like the wretched tax man who had it all wrong, right? Wrong. Jesus identifies the tax man as the one who is justi

Matthew 11:28-30 When a young ox is being trained to pull heavy loads, they are first yoked with a stronger, mature ox at their side. ...

Luke 16:19-31 The Gospel teaching from Luke (16:19-31) once again focuses on the evil of wealth and the lack of concern for the poor. In...

Luke 16: 1-13 Well, hands down this may be the most confounding of all the gospel teachings. According to the commentaries this is the...

Skid Row in Los Angeles has roughly 10,000 homeless, poor, and marginally employed residents. The area, with its numerous street...