Realizing that we are a constant work- in-progress — and that God is merciful — lays the groundwork for receiving God’s Word as fertile ground that allows the seed to be received, nurtured with the help of God, and grown into fruit that solely gives glory to Almighty God.
Sunday Scriptures
Take My Yoke Upon You
Truth be told, as a late 20th-century-born Brooklynite, whenever Jesus uses farming imagery in His teaching, my mind gravitates to a television show that was always on in the Panicali household, whether in original episodes or in reruns: Little House on the Prairie.
A Step Into the Unknown And Unpredictable
Although this is not usually the forum for personal messages, I do want to make an exception today and wish my classmate, Fr. Dave Dettmer, the Pastor of St. Edmund’s parish in Brooklyn, a very Happy 40th Anniversary of Ordination.
He Knows our Unworthiness and Loves us Anyway
Before receiving communion, as the host is elevated and the priests invite us to, “Behold the Lamb of God,” we utter the simple prayer, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” He knows our unworthiness, but we have to acknowledge it ourselves to appreciate the gift we are about to receive.
The Sacred Banquet of The Eucharistic People
Being a people of the Eucharist, this meal is at the center of who we are as a Church. The gathering place for most families is the table and so it is within each parish family, we gather at the altar to feast on Christ’s Body and Blood.
Jesus’ Mission Is at the Heart of Our Incomplete Understanding of the Holy Trinity
The beginning of the Gospel this weekend should be something that people might be able to understand in these days of the pandemic. We only need to change one word and it should sound like this, “on the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the coronavirus.”
We Cannot Fulfill the Work of Discipleship Alone
The beginning of the Gospel this weekend should be something that people might be able to understand in these days of the pandemic. We only need to change one word and it should sound like this, “on the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the coronavirus.”
Love Is Shown More in Deeds Than in Words
It was late in the evening when I received a text, “Are you still awake?” It wasn’t long after I sent “yes” that the phone rang. My friend teaches at a school for at-risk youth. He told me a story that got him over the edge.
True Faith Involves Trust
During the Easter season, we frequently hear the words faith and believe since most often we reflect on scripture passages that focus on being witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. However, this weekend’s readings allow us to go deeper into the core of true faith. It is the necessity of trust that makes our faith authentic.
The Guardian of Your Souls
Today, we hear once again the identity of Jesus as a shepherd. A shepherd that spends most of his time tending and ensuring the well-being of his flock. His primary responsibilities are to protect, nourish, and lead them where they need to go.
