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  A friend gifted me with the Word on Fire Bible/The Gospels which I have found to be very nice.  As I was reading a reflection in it ("Unpacking Jesus' Greatest Sermon") by Bishop Robert Barron, I was caught in his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5).  In describing the people of Israel, Bishop Barron said that "Israel knew itself to be the people with the definite mission to become holy and thereby to render the world holy.  But instead, Israel fell into greater and greater sins; and instead of being the catalyst for the conversion of the world, the world was continually overwhelming and enslaving Israel." Oh my.   How many similarities can you find in this excerpt from his reflection on Israel, to the Church and her people (us!) today? We, as disciples of Jesus, are also called to holiness, and through God's grace, we have the potential to have an impact on the world around us. Of course, like Israel, we are quite imperfect in fu

  The Sower  November 1888, Arles Vincent van Gogh [ Web Gallery of Art ] The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground .   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Mark 4:26-34   (English Standard Version, Anglicised) Jesus said to the crowds:  “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.   He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.   The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.   But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and become

 A couple of things . . . It is very clear in today's reading (2 Corinthians, Chapter 1) that Paul saw the need to share with the people of Corinth, whatever he received from the Lord. Paul understood that he could encourage others in their afflictions. He said,  "so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God." That's not insignificant. Whatever we receive from God, we are expected to give away.  Do you feel hope?  Give it to someone who needs it.  Do you realize God's love for you?  Love someone. Are you suffering?  Help someone else who is suffering through your endurance and your understanding of the sufferings of Christ. To put it another way, Paul said: "Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement." Here's the point: If you are suffering in any way today, know that you can find

I'm intrigued by that which: Exists within this universe Exists beyond Might exist I've talked about "that which exists within this universe," what we've been learning about it, and why science doesn't upset me. I've talked about it a lot. Basically, I'm a Christian and a Catholic. I think truth matters. Faith is in part a pursuit of truth. Science is a pursuit of truth. As Pope Leo XIII said, "truth cannot contradict truth." Sometimes we learn something new, but I really don't see that as a problem. I've talked about what the Nicene Creed calls 'invisible,' too. Which isn't church-speak for electromagnetic phenomena outside visible spectrum. And that's not quite another topic. But I've written precious little about stuff that might exist. And why I don't see a problem with being a Christian and enjoying stories. Or writing them. So that's what I'll be talking about today: along with hubris

Supper at Emmaus Caravaggio [ Web Gallery of Art ] Corpus Christi, Year B The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B   In most countries, including the Vatican, this solemnity, formerly celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, is now celebrated on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday, this year replacing the Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Mark 14:12-16, 22-26   (English Standard Version, Anglicised) And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to Jesus, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”   And he sent two of his disciples and said to them,  “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him,     and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest

"...Blue skies Smiling at me Nothing but blue skies Do I see..." (" Blue Skies ," Irving Berlin (1926) via Lyrics.com) But that's not literally true. We had blue skies with clouds Monday through Wednesday. Then it rained part of Wednesday night, pretty much all Thursday and part of Thursday night. So maybe this is more appropriate. Or was, until Friday's bright blue skies and sunshine.... (I have been feeling down, depressed and worse. So I wrote about emotions, personality disorders, predestination, flowers and making sense.) More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

  Holy Trinity Jusepe de Ribera [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 28:16-20   (English Standard Version, Anglicised) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.   And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted.   And Jesus came and said to them,  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   Léachtaí i nGaeilge Antiphona ad introitum   Entrance Antiphon Benedictus sit Deus Pater, Unigenitusque Dei Filius, Sanctus quoque Spiritus, quia fecit nobiscum misericordiam suam . Blest be God the Father, a

    I was reading a reflection by Father Patrick Butler, L.C. on the Laudate App. about Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Have you ever been at a family reunion where the elders attending were given a "pride of place"?  You know what I'm talking about.  Everyone moves in their direction to talk to them, recognizing there is something special in their presence.  They are cherished not only because they are the last surviving members of the original cast, but we know instinctively that much of our history lies within them.  They have cared for the family and looked after all of us for years.  They are the glue that has held us together during difficult, painful times and they have lovingly nurtured each of us into adulthood. At our family reunions, that has always been the case, but this year it will be different because the last of our "elders" has passed away.  We hope that we can hold together because of what they gave us and the memories we share. I was think

This week hasn't been a good time for India. Statistics say Tuesday was their worst day yet for COVID-19 pandemic deaths. It's also when the worst cyclone of recorded so far hit India's west coast. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

I went to the local hospital this morning, got a sheaf of paper and a 3x5 card, had a short chat and followed green arrows to the elevator. I've walked down that corridor a fair number of times, and have even been in the elevator. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

    Pentecost El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] All [the apostles]  with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers . . .  When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.   (Acts 1:14; 2:1). Pentecost Sunday,  at the Vigil Mass  (Saturday evening), Years ABC NB: The Vigil Mass has its own prayers and readings. Those for the Mass During the Day on Sunday should not be used – though some priests seem to be unaware of this. It is incorrect to refer to this Vigil Mass as an ‘anticipated Mass’. It is a celebration proper to the evening before Pentecost Sunday and may be celebrated in an extended form. It also fulfils the Sunday obligation.   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA Gospel   John 7:37-39  (English Standard Version, Anglicised)  On the last