Is My Phylactery Showing?: 2022

The God of Reversals—Third Sunday of Advent (Cycle A)

Isaiah 35:1–6a, 10; James 5:7–10; Matthew 11:2–11

This third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin Introit for today's Mass from Philippians 4: "Rejoice in the Lord always." We rejoice because we anticipate the coming of our Savior. Advent is about anticipation. We are waiting for the coming of Jesus, not once but twice. First, we await His coming in human history, in the Incarnation. He who existed from the beginning with the Father as God became incarnate and became a human being, at a singular point of time in history.

Second, we await His final coming at the final judgment. For both of these events we rejoice. It’s typical to see these as two separate events.

Oct

Reconcile—28th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

2 Kings 5:14–17; 2 Timothy 2:8–13; Luke 17:11–19

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” You might’ve heard that adage before, but you might be surprised who said it first. It’s not from scripture, and it’s not a particularly Catholic sentiment. It was John Wesley, the founder of Wesleyan Methodism, who said this in a homily back sometime in the 1700s.

Sep

The Prodigal Father—24th Sunday for Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

Exodus 32:7–11, 13–14; 1 Timothy 1:12–17; Luke 15:1–32

I had a rosary that was given to me by a friend who took up making rosaries after he came into the Church. When I came back and was confirmed, he made this one for me. I treasured it because of the love with which he made it, but unfortunately, I lost it. It wasn't until about the time I was in diaconal formation that I recognized the image on the center medal above the crucifix.

Jul

Your Neighbor as Yourself—Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

Deut. 30:10–14; Col. 1:15–20; Luke 10:25–37

What does God expect from us? What puts us in right relationship with God? When we talk about being right with God, ultimately, that’s what we mean. But what does being right with God entail? Jesus outlines the two fundamental principles that put us in right relationship. Ultimately all commandments from our Lord come down to two: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.

Jun

Undivided Unity—Most Holy Trinity (Cycle C)

Proverbs 8:22–31; Romans 5:1–1; John 16:12–15

While we are now back in Ordinary Time, we have several solemnities that we celebrate on the next two Sundays. This weekend celebrates one of the greatest mystery of our Catholic faith, most Holy Trinity—the dogma that posits that we worship one God in three Divine Persons.

May

Mercy on the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1–19)

Today's gospel reading reminded me of the day of my ordination. If you haven't read that story, you can find it here. I will just retell one part of that story related to that day and to this gospel reading.

Commentators from the early Fathers to contemporary times often talk about the parallel between Simon Peter's three denials and Christ's three questions to Peter at the Sea of Iberias, the three questions being in a sense a reversal or an undoing of Simon Peter's denials.

Apr

I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice: Fifth Sunday of Lent (Cycle C)

Isaiah 43:16–21; Philippians 3:8–14; John 8:1–11

Have you ever experienced despair—that sense that you have failed so badly that nothing can redeem you? That the circumstances in which you find yourself, maybe through no fault of your own, are inescapable? Despair is not like fear. With fear you don’t know what will happen, but you don’t assume that you are abandoned and alone. There may be some hope. Despair is that presumption that nothing can save you. You are doomed.

Mar

Vaccine Mandates and Freedom of Conscience

The current context of global pandemic has raised many considerations around civil liberties, protections for individual conscience, and the common good. Many people take it for granted that their constitutional guarantees of freedom of conscience, religion, and thought are absolute and unassailable.

Jan

Follow Me—Baptism of the Lord (Cycle C)

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Isaiah 40: 1–5, 9–11; Titus 2:11–14, 3:4–7; Luke 3:15–16, 21–22

This weekend we celebrate another of those pivotal moments in the gospel and in the revelation of Christ, the baptism of Christ by John in the Jordan. At this moment, Jesus becomes manifest to the whole world as the Lamb of God.

Is My Phylactery Showing?

Faithful Catholic or modern-day pharisee? Sometimes I might be a bit of both.