Saturday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time                        When someone asked St. Francis of Assisi why and how he could accomplish so much, he replied, “This may be the reason: The Lord looked down from heaven upon earth and said, ‘Where can I find the weakest, the littlest, the poorest man on the face of the … Continue reading HUMILITY

Friday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time                            I read a story about a guard in the middle of the garden without a sentry. For many generations, a guard was posted there without knowing why. The only reason given was that the queen ordered it. Someone was dissatisfied with this explanation so he tried to uncover … Continue reading HEALING ON THE SABBATH

Thursday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time                       Jesus, in today’s gospel passage, pronounces a lament over the doomed city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is more than a city. It is the center of both religious and political power. However, as laments by Jesus, it has become a symbol of everything that is wrong with religion at … Continue reading CONFRONTING THE POWERS OF EVIL

Sts. Simon and Jude                        Today, we honor St. Simon and St. Jude who were among the Twelve Apostles sent by Jesus into the world to continue his work. Neither Simon nor Jude is well known. Simon is not given much attention because the spotlight is often on Simon Peter. Jude is not given much … Continue reading SIMON AND JUDE

Tuesday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time                        St. Francis once invited a young monk to join him on a trip to the town to preach. Honored to be given the invitation, the monk readily accepted. All day long he and Francis walked through the streets, byways and alleys, and even into the suburbs. They rubbed … Continue reading SMALL BEGINNINGS

Monday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time                         “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”             Two things move me in today’s gospel story: First, the joy of the woman who for the first time in eighteen years could stand up straight; Second, the confrontation with the leader of the synagogue, who loved laws and … Continue reading YOU ARE SET FREE

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time                       There is a story about a man who had a huge boulder in his front yard. He grew weary of this big, unattractive stone in the center of his lawn; so, he decided to take advantage of it and turn it into an object of art. He went to … Continue reading CHIP IT AWAY

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time                       There is a “common denominator” among Olympic champions: They devote and focus practically all their time, energy and resources on their goal. They put their whole being – heart, soul and mind – into winning the Olympic gold medal.             Should we do less in fulfilling the Greatest Commandment? … Continue reading LOVING GOD WITH OUR WHOLE BEING

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time                       There was a man who wanted to have a house for his family. He went to his architect friend in order to discuss the details.             The architect asked him what kind of a house he wanted – how many rooms, how many floors, did he want a garden, … Continue reading PUTTING THE DOORKNOB FIRST

Saturday, 29th Week in Ordinary Time                        “If you do not repent, you will all perish…”             Jewish belief was that whatever evil befell people was punishment for sin. The more a person had to suffer, the greater their sin must have been! Jesus rejects this simplistic notion. Instead he emphasizes repentance.             Repentance is … Continue reading ELEMENTS OF REPENTANCE