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The Sower, June 1888, Arles Vincent van Gogh [ Web Gallery of Art ] A sower went out to sow . . . Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand) Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: England & Wales, Scotland, India) Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)    Gospel Matthew 13:1-23 (English Standard Version) At that time: Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked...

    I read a book my mother-in-law recommended titled "Eternal." I just finished it and learned a lot, as this is a historical fiction novel focused on Mussolini's reign over Rome and his laws against the Jewish people living there. It also described how many people were duped by the fascist leader. In case you don't know, Mussolini ruled from 1922 to 1943 and he created anti-Semitic race laws that wreaked havoc on the Jewish community, terrorizing their lives and attempting to destroy their existence. In the book, one of the fictional characters who was going through a hard time making a decision about a relationship, received this advice from a friend:  "Take your life in your hands, like dough. Form it the way you want it to be."  At first, it seems like pretty good advice, but compare it to Isaiah 64:7: "Yet, L ORD , you are our father; we are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hand." How do we reconcile these t...

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    As I was watching the priest prepare the vessels at the altar by distributing the bread and pouring the wine in the vessels before the consecration, I had a thought. I asked God to allow me to be prepared in a similar way . . . The vessels were sitting their empty, ready to receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus. All they could do at that moment was wait to be filled. The ciborium (which receives the consecrated hosts) and the cups (which hold the Precious Blood) make no contribution in and of themselves. We, too, are like vessels to be filled, but we are actually transformed when we receive Jesus. And, we, too, do not make the transformation happen. It is all dependent upon the Holy Spirit. But there are two more points to consider: First, unlike the precious metal or wood vessels waiting to be filled, we should come to the altar ready. In anticipation of receiving Jesus, our hearts and minds should be open, ready to receive him, by prayer, fast...