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Gethsemane

Holy Thursday

It was a meal that gave Jesus’ disciples a lot more than they expected.

They had prepared a Passover meal, eager to celebrate this great feast of God’s liberation of their people with their Master. Jesus, unexpectedly, redefined the meal. He would be their Passover lamb. His own sacrifice would be the means by which humanity would be reconciled with God. The disciples, on their part, were to reenact this new Passover in memory of what Jesus was about to do.  “What did this mean?”, the disciples must have wondered.

But there was more.   Continue reading “Gethsemane”

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He Emptied Himself

Palm Sunday (B)

Living in our multimedia society, we cannot help but notice how many people, near and far, are in great need. News reports bring to us people who have endured great poverty, famine, disease, war, and natural disasters of all kinds. Local reports tell us of the needs of people much closer to home. Many of us get a steady stream of form letters and emails, requesting our help for some great need or other good cause.   Continue reading “He Emptied Himself”

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Taking Away The Stone

Fifth Sunday of Lent (A)

You are a parent who has reached retirement age. You have had several children. Only one or two of them still practice their Catholic faith in any recognizable fashion. You know you made mistakes as a parent – who hasn’t? – but you also know that you did the best you could to raise your children and to pass on your faith. Have all your efforts been in vain, you may wonder? What will become of my children? Will my grandchildren have faith? Continue reading “Taking Away The Stone”

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What Are You Looking For?

Fourth Sunday of Lent (A)

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” – John 1:38

“I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.” – John 4:35

“Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” – Matthew 13:17

Seeing is believing – or so the saying goes. But is it so?

In the ninth chapter of John’s Gospel, we are presented with a story of Jesus healing a blind man, and its aftermath. Many witnessed the healing, or at least its result. Yet, many did not believe, for various reasons. How can this be? Continue reading “What Are You Looking For?”