Ash Wednesday Homily, 2023 Once again, another Lenten Season begins with the invitation to return to the Lord. (Joel 2:12-18). The Greek word for conversion is metanoia which places this invitation to return to the Lord in stark relief. Metanoia means to turn completely around. This is the kind of conversion we seek. We Read more…
This past week I was fortunate to make it to a few more places for pastoral visits. Thursday evening I had dinner with seven of our priests in Northern Deanery. Thanks to Fr. Cody Ross for hosting us at Sacred Heart in Bellingham. I believe that was the sixth such Read more…
Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we enter another Lenten season on Ash Wednesday, March 2, it is helpful to place it in the broader context of the reality of Christ. Through the will of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was born into the world through Read more…
The Scripture readings for this 5th Sunday ‘set the stage’ for the Holy Days ahead. As the Jewish people are gathering in Jerusalem to prepare for the great feast of Passover, the Jewish leaders are preparing to kill Jesus. (the Sacrificial Lamb!) At the same time, Jesus visits Bethany, which is Read more…
The Word of God for this weekend continues to ‘cleanse’ us for true worship – worship in Spirit and Truth. (John 4:23) Jesus cleanses the temple of money changers and the animals used for making sacrifice, is a good ‘symbol’ for what is taking place each Lent, as Jesus is Read more…
We continue to turn to God’s Word for instruction in this time of Lent. Joseph in the Old Testament reading from the Book of Genesis is the ‘beloved son’ of Israel, and hated by his other brothers. Joseph ‘pre-figures’ Christ as the Savior: ‘beloved son’, thrown into a cistern, sold Read more…
The Prophet Isaiah in today’s readings again renews the call of Lent: “Let us set things right.” The readings today give us three perspectives for self-examination. The towns of Sodom and Gomorrah were notorious for the sinful practices so prevalent in their day. Thus, the first point for our consideration Read more…
Today’s readings for the Second Sunday of Lent can be found here. The many individuals of our readings today communicate we are clearly created for relationship with God. From Abraham to Moses and Elijah, to Peter, James and John, we see how God calls all of us to live our Read more…
As a part of his sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches: “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Heavenly Father”. (See Matthew 5:43-48) This is indeed a Word of Truth and Wisdom for a world fractured with so much division. Read more…
Today’s readings for Mass continue the call of Lent to ‘return to the Lord.’ The call today is for us to recognize our sin in the face of the righteousness of God. The Prophet Ezekiel speaks of ‘wicked men’ and the need to turn away from sin. Do we Read more…