Friday, 27th Week in Ordinary Time                            At the end of today’s gospel reading, there is a warning from Jesus about what one writer has called “the peril of the empty soul.” The Lord draws a picture of an individual from whom an evil spirit was expelled. The spirit wandered the earth seeking another victim … Continue reading THE PERIL OF THE EMPTY SOUL

Thursday, 27th Week in Ordinary Time                       Jesus makes a bold statement about prayer in today’s gospel reading. He tells us, “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find knock and the door will be opened to you.”             This statement sounds nice but it does not square off with our personal experiences. … Continue reading PRAYER CHANGES THE PRAY-ER

Wednesday, 27th Week in Ordinary Time                   Jesus’ disciples ask him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” The Lord gives them and us the Our Father. It is both a prayer and a school of prayer. It displays three essential elements of prayer: intimacy, surrender, and trust.             First, the Lord’s Prayer teaches us intimacy. As … Continue reading THE LORD’S PRAYER

Tuesday, 27th Week in Ordinary Time                        One of the most important lessons of this gospel passage is this: Listening has to come before acting. Jesus tells Martha to adopt Mary’ listening attitude as a means of overcoming her distraction so that she may be more content and effective in her ministry of service. This … Continue reading LISTENING ATTITUDE

St. Francis of Assisi                         We celebrate today the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis of Assisi was born in 1182. He was the son of a wealthy merchant.             When he heard the call of God, he gave up everything, he gave it all away, to follow the Lord – including turning all … Continue reading POVERTY AND SIMPLICITY

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time                       There are mothers who would approach me with their children and each would say some version of this request: “Father, can you please bless my child?” If I know the mother, before blessing her child, I’d usually say, with smile on my lips, “You know, I should not be … Continue reading BLESSING CHILDREN

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time                       A man came into my office several years ago. Before coming to me, he had already introduced himself to me and he had become an acquaintance. He had it all: looks, personality, intelligence, talents, success, and great wealth. It is safe to say that he was the envy of … Continue reading CHILDLIKE POWERLESSNESS

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time                       I have a friend who sums up her “love life” using lyrics of some songs: It starts off with Kuh Ledesma’s I Think I’m in Love: “Is this love? Feeling restless inside… wanting you to be always by my side…” Then, with Elvis Presley’s words, it develops into: “Can’t … Continue reading LOVE AND COMMITMENT

Holy Guardian Angels                    God gives each of us his personal protection through our Guardian Angels. That is what we celebrate today on the feast of the Guardian Angels. Guardian Angels are God’s messengers who protect each and everyone of us. God wills that his love be made personal for each of us, and that … Continue reading GUARDIAN ANGELS

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus                       We celebrate today the memorial of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus. She was born in France in 1873. She followed her siblings into the Carmelite convent and became a Carmelite nun at a very young age.             In one of her reflections, she considered what her mission … Continue reading LITTLE WAY