The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?”
He said to them in reply,
“Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven
has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. (Mt. 13:10-11)

In previous chapters, Jesus has been preaching, teaching, and healing the crowd. The disciples have accompanied him. They are starting to understand what Jesus is about but they can still at times be very dense. The crowds do not seem to be getting it. They are hearing and seeing but do not understand what Jesus is trying to teach them. This passage points out a basic distinction between the disciples and the crowd. Continue reading →

Ex. 1:8-14, 22

A new king, who knew nothing of Joseph, came to power in Egypt.
He said to his subjects, “Look how numerous and powerful
the people of the children of Israel are growing, more so than we ourselves!
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase;
otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies
to fight against us, and so leave our country.”

Accordingly, taskmasters were set over the children of Israel
to oppress them with forced labor.
Thus they had to build for Pharaoh
the supply cities of Pithom and Raamses.
Yet the more they were oppressed,
the more they multiplied and spread.
The Egyptians, then, dreaded the children of Israel
and reduced them to cruel slavery,
making life bitter for them with hard work in mortar and brick
and all kinds of field work—the whole cruel fate of slaves.

Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects,
“Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews,
but you may let all the girls live.”

Exodus Revisited (2009) or We Never Seem to Learn Continue reading →

We had a wonderful three weeks in Ireland. We visited places we had not seen on previous trips and attended bodhran (bow-ran) school on the lovely island of Inis Oirr. Three pubs, 90 Irish drummers and pleasant weather –what more can one ask for? I said trip but it was actually a pilgrimage—we visited holy places and sacred sites. I learned more about the beauties of Celtic Christianity, Celtic customs, feasts and practices. More of this at a later writing.

Today’s Gospel reading strikes me as being particularly appropriate at this juncture in time. I have started three files. Two files deal with national politics and one with local—immigration reform, health care reform, and the abolition of the death penalty. These are all about life.  Immigration reform is about justice and life and opportunity. Health care reform is about having life and having what we need to participate in life and in democratic government. Ending the death penalty is about life and forgiveness. Continue reading →

Palms Reflecting in Pond at Sunrise

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. (Jn 16)

First, Richard Rohr reminds us that John’s Gospel presents the mystical vision of the Christ. That insight has helped me better understand John. The mystical tradition has long been subjugated in the church. Some people would hold that Julian of Norwich was a great mystical theologian, somewhat lesser status than a dogmatic theologian. The fact is that Julian of Norwich was a great theologian! Continue reading →

God SPRINGing Forth Click to enlarge

After I wrote yesterday’s reflection, I was walking myself and my dog, Spike-my 9 pound Min Pin (Miniature Pincher). Instead of listening to Irish traditional music, I decided to listen to some blues on my IPod.

It is important to know that the blues are deeply rooted in African American spirituality-the very spirituality which helped them endure the depravity of oppression. One song caught my attention.  It was We’re Gonna Make It. The song is so appropriate for today and the current economic climate. Continue reading →

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Mountain Peace - Click for larger panorama

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

At his farewell banquet, Jesus continues to teach his followers. He wants them to understand that the peace, the shalom, he gives is not the peace the world gives. Continue reading →

Jesus came into the darkness. Jesus came to set us free. Jesus came to give us sight. Jesus said, “I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.”

Merton teaches that we find God in darkness. His is an apophatic theology which says we can speak of God only by way of negation. In his early years, Merton subscribed to John of the Cross’ theology which speaks of the “dark night of the soul.” Later, Merton’s interests would shift to a more positive mystical approach such as that of Julian of Norwich. Continue reading →

Jesus continues the Eucharistic dialogue with his followers in John 6:

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said,
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer walked with him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

“This is my body broken for you. This is my blood poured out for you. Do this in memory of me.” Continue reading →

Saul hears the words on the road to Damascus, “I am Jesus whom, you are persecuting.” Jesus identifies himself with the victims of Saul’s hatred for Christian. In so doing, Jesus reaffirms his identity with the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized throughout history. Saul is blinded. He lives in darkness. Jesus will remove the scales. Paul will see the light and the world will be changed. Continue reading →

In Acts (5:17-26) the angel told the miraculously released prisoners to go to the Temple and tell the people about this life. The reference is probably to the Christian life-the life of the followers of the nascent Jesus Movement. It could also reflect an emphasis on this life-life in the world. Continue reading →