“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” Mt 1:24 What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do? For Joseph, it was probably the action he took in today’s verse. For modern readers, the difficulty of this decision for Joseph is sometimes lost. In Joseph’s own day taking a pregnant Mary into his home as his wife would have violated the social code, religious code, and... Read more

Cyril was one of the most famous liturgists in the early Church. The way he celebrated the liturgy seems to have had a huge influence on Christians all over the known world in the fourth century. He was clearly a man who took the power and dignity of the liturgical life of the church very seriously. However, one of the criticisms he faced was an episode where he sold off much of the Church’s liturgical items, including sacred items given... Read more

“How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?” Jn 5:44 I’ve heard it said that people are the sum of the five people they hang around most. While perhaps this is somewhat reductionistic, there is truth in the sentiment. The individuals that we spend time with the most matter. The more space we give people in our lives and in our hearts the more those people... Read more

“But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” Can a mother forget her during child, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” Is 49:14-15 Has God ever put a particular place on your heart? Today’s passage speaks to this but requires a little unpacking. Just before this passage, God had made a promise to restore the people of Israel in exile. At this, it is... Read more

“One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.’ Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up... Read more

“Thus says the LORD: Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create.” Is 65:17-18 Do you ever peek at the end of the book you’re reading? It can be tempting, particularly when there’s a lot of tension or mystery. I’ll confess, I’ve sometimes looked ahead. In today’s passage, God offers a... Read more

The world is full of “either/or” scenarios. We’re told that we need to choose between a limited number of options. Do you like Chocolate or Vanilla? Android or Apple? Taking a bath or a shower? Being a passenger or driver? Are you a Democrat or Republican? Do you prefer a pen or a pencil? I could go on. In today’s passage, Jesus has been given an either/or question. He’s asked if a blind man’s condition was caused by his own... Read more

“Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD, as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.” Hosea 6:3 Today crosses the halfway point in Lent between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Lent emerged in the church out of a need to take time to step back and clear a path for God to work. Hopefully,... Read more

  Saint Maximilian of Tebessa was an African saint from the third century. When he was compelled to enlist in the Roman army his conscience would not allow him to swear allegiance to the emperor. As a result, he was beheaded. He is the first documented conscientious objector but he would not be the last. Indeed, the Order of Maximilian, a group of anti-war clergy formed in the 1970s took their name from him and were inspired by his example. May God... Read more

“Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mk 12:29-31 Human life requires us to be a lot more like jazz musicians than classically trained musicians. We don’t get a... Read more