Feast of St. Pius V John 14:21-26 Jean Vanier wrote: “To be in communion means to be with someone and to discover that we actually belong together. Communion means accepting people just as they are, with all their limits and inner pain, but also with their gifts and their beauty and their capacity to grow. To …
Fifth Sunday of Easter John 15:1-18 Every one of our actions affects many people, known or unknown for good or bad. We are a link in a chain; we are branches on a vine. And how these relationships can be healthy ones is the point of the allegory in the story of the vine and …
Feast of St. Peter Chanel John 14:7-14 “To those who believe, no explanation is necessary. To those who do not believe, no explanation is possible.” These words appeared on screen to introduce the 1943 film The Song of Bernadette. Again and again, Jesus underscores the source of his authority — the Father — but even his own disciples …
John 14:1-6 In his Last Supper farewell to his disciples, Jesus assures them that he goes “to prepare a place” for them in the Father’s “house.” As Christians, we live in the eternal hope of one day living in God’s dwelling place – but that “place” of hope and compassion and peace exists in the present, in …
John 13:16-20 Jesus is speaking to his disciples on the night before he died. He is talking to them about humble service and sacrificial devotion. He talks in guarded terms about how they will experience his presence when he is no longer around as a mortal man. He declares: “he who accepts anyone I send …
Feast of St. Mark Mark: 16:15-20 “They went forth and preached everywhere while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.” Thomas Merton insisted: “No one enters heaven all by herself/himself.” We reach God through a community, through one another. Yes, we are all called individually, we are loved as persons. Nevertheless, Karl Rahner put it …
Feast of St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen John 10:22-30 Jesus met increasing resistance from certain religious leaders of his day as the radical nature of his mission and message became clearer. Even the crowds began to voice their doubts about the identity of Jesus. Many had dared hope he was the Messiah but he had never explicitly …
Feast of S. George John 10:1-10 At times shepherds would have to stay the night in the grazing pastures, they would use a stone corral without a gate. After herding the sheep into it for safety, the shepherd would become the gate by lying down in the opening. In that way the sheep would not …
Fourth Sunday of Easter John 10:11-18 In today’s gospel we hear Jesus describe himself not only as a shepherd but also as a “good” shepherd. And he proceeds to tell a story about different kinds of shepherds. The difference between the two is at the point of crisis. The greatness of life lies in the realm …
Feast of St. Anselm John 6:60-69 Among Jesus’ friends there was DEFECTION. They had crowded to him now they were slipping away. They were the fair-weather friends. They had come to Jesus to get something out of him. They enjoyed being fed with the fish and barley loaves – but when it came for them …
