“Life” and “Love” are two similar words in our language. The quality of our life is directlyrelated to the amount of love in our relationships. When Jesus is asked which are the greatestcommandments, he tells us, love your God and love your neighbor. Our love for God helps usto love others, because God knows our…
Jesus is out on the road, his favorite place to see God at work when anyone crosses his path or waits for him at the route’s turn. Jesus is a master who teaches the art of encounter. Behold, an unidentified person rushing to meet him as if hurrying to catch a breath. “Good Master,” he…
During their journey to the promised land, the people in the wilderness complained about the food, weather, their companions, spouses, and even Moses. In his wisdom, Moses composed rules to set community boundaries, achieve peace, and avoid conflict by allowing males to reject their partners. Twelve hundred years later, the Pharisees sought Jesus’ interpretation of…
John, the beloved disciple, the fine theologian, “the son of thunder,” a man with so much Godly potential, still reacts like a child of a small heart when bitten by jealousy. Master, an outsider works miracles in your name but is not enrolled in our group. He is improving people’s lives but is perhaps inexperienced…
Today I want to focus on a key word from today’s gospel and shed some light on its translation. Jesus, embraces a child and says, “Whoever RECEIVES one child such as this in MY name RECEIVES ME…” THIS biblical translation uses the word “receives,” a word that is pivotal to the core message of…
Jesus’ unexpected announcement of his impending death shocked the disciples, grappling with why and what would happen to them afterward. The disciples quietly contemplate candidates for the position. Jesus demonstrates masterful handling of relationships by not rebuking, judging, or accusing but instead presenting a strategy for educating. Jesus reveals his infallible method: ‘The first shall…
After blessing Israel with numerous miracles while facing opposition from the leaders, Jesus wanted to hear the opinions and perceptions of the crowds. He turned to his disciples, who walked with him, to voice what they heard on the margins. Who do people say I am? This poll determines whether people’s hearts can perceive God’s…
They brought a deaf-mute to Jesus. He was a prisoner of silence, living without words, lullabies, or music, but he had a circle of friends who cared for him and looked for things that made him better; they led him to Jesus. Healing begins when someone puts his hand to the very human art of…
After 20 years at St. James, I’ve developed a keen sense for how we are known as a parish. I believe we have a warm and welcoming community and that we are very active in our outreach ministries. We also have a unique church architecture that requires study to fully understand. The scallop shell is…
Jesus was stunned when a group of Pharisees from Jerusalem approached him, questioning why his disciples were not following the purification rituals before eating. Jesus clarified that the problem was not the disciples’ dirty hands but the Pharisees’ ill-oriented hearts. Jesus, instead of being discouraged, becomes an echo of the ancient cry of the prophets:…