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Unclean!

Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

“Cooties! You have cooties!”

Perhaps you heard that childhood chant aimed at you in the schoolyard when you touched (or were touched by) a child of the opposite sex – or a child that stood out as ‘different’ in some way. Perhaps you aimed that chant at some other unfortunate kid caught in the same circumstance. Children, from a very early age, set up among themselves certain boundaries. Some are marked off – for whatever reason – as ‘radioactive’ or ‘unclean’, and woe to those to transgress the boundaries!  Continue reading “Unclean!”

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A Spirituality of Sweets

I owe someone an apology.

You know who you are. The one everyone calls “Little Debbie”. The girl whose picture graces a vast collection of inexpensive delights!

For years now – for some unfathomable reason – I regarded myself as being somehow “above” your sweet treats.

I would pass by your smiling face without so much as a wave. How rude! I never, ever, bought a single box from your display. I would hurry on to desserts from the Big City, with exotic names like Tiramisu or faux-folksy names like Ben & Jerry. But Little Debbie? Never.  Continue reading “A Spirituality of Sweets”

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Jesus in Capernaum

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

As we read the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel, it feels like a spiritual D-Day. Jesus appears in Capernaum. He quickly establishes a spiritual beachhead, healing, teaching, and driving out evil spirits. Having liberated that place, he moves on to take the rest of Galilee by the end of our Gospel passage.

Today’s segment of that story is not long, but it is dense. It leaves us with plenty of food for thought and prayer. I will focus on three moments in this passage and offer some reflections on each. Continue reading “Jesus in Capernaum”

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The Holy One Of God

Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (A)

So… how are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions?

Some of you, having been down this road (without much success) one time too many, may have given up on such resolutions. Others, who are still trying, may find it very hard to stick with them – even after only four weeks.

Why is that? Why should it be so difficult? After all, whenever we make New Year’s resolutions, we make them with every good intention of following through. We pick some bad habit we seek to curb, or some good habit we seek to promote, and focus on that. We try to eat better, to do more exercise, to be more available to family and friends, or more generous to those in need. We try to pray more consistently. We may try some other good resolution. We are excited about it, we want it, and we commit to it. It seems to be consistent with our best values, and with what the Lord has taught us. Why do we stumble? Continue reading “The Holy One Of God”

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The Time of Fulfillment

3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

When you hear or read the Gospel for this Sunday, try putting yourself in the story. Imagine that you are like Peter or John. You are going about your business, as you do every day: at home, at work, at school, or wherever you find yourself. Then, from out of the blue, a Stranger approaches, someone you have never met before. That person says, simply, “The time is at hand. Follow me.” That’s it. No résumé, no explanation, no time to ponder it.

Follow me. Now. Continue reading “The Time of Fulfillment”