“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2) I was once told by a priest that clergy should not share too much of their personal life with the congregation. In his opinion, clergy needed to keep a professional distance from parishioners…
All posts in October 2017
A Commentary on Prayer
‘We set forth our petitions before God, not in order to make known to Him our needs and desires, but rather so that we ourselves may realize that in these things it is necessary to turn to God for help.’ – St. Thomas Aquinas I am really bothered by all of the “prayers” that are…
From the Editor
As I write this, Hurricane Irma is ravaging the whole states of Florida, Georgia and parts of South Carolina. The devastation caused by this powerful storm will be monumental. Sadly, there is another hurricane right behind Irma that will add insult to injury to those areas hardest hit. While this is going on, I am…
When Jesus Goes Apocalyptic
“To believe is very dull. To doubt is intensely engrossing. To be on the alert is to live, to be lulled into security is to die.” -Oscar Wilde INTRODUCTION: OBSESSED WITH THE FUTURE The first part of the Gospel reading for the First Sunday of Advent describes apocalyptic events and signs in the heavens and…
No Room at the Inn
“What’s brought you here?” I asked. “They said I could find help here,” the voice responded brusquely. I prodded further, “How long?” “Seven, no – wait – eight years now I’ve been here.” “Why didn’t you go back?” I asked without thinking. As that last question barely left my lips, I could see a tear…
The Needed Message of Advent
Liturgy is a repetitive cycle not just in terms of seasons, but in the day to day or week to week themes. If you are a regular church goer you may have noticed it because the Church centers her prayers/readings on the life of Jesus Christ, Who always had an underlying if not clear eschatological…