Just as the rich man longed for Lazarus to dip his finger in cool water, the little boy’s tears began trickling into my consciousness; sitting on my organ bench, I began to wonder not “how could someone ignore the suffering in their midst,” but how “could I ignore the suffering in my midst?”
Read moreCategory: Lectionary / Liturgy of Word
Ritual Words in an Age of Drivel
I wonder how our instinctual distrust of the words spoken by so many people public figures colors the way most people hear the words spoken in and by the Church.
Read moreA modern-day Litany of Martyrs
Her imprint, Wondaland Records, released a song in 2015 that I can only call a “litany of martyrs.” Not so much a tribute to Black Lives Matter as a tributary of that movement, it turns the formula and slogan “Say his name! … Say her name!” into a litanic refrain…
Read moreArs Praedicandi: Why Lent?
Today, brothers and sisters, God is inviting us to become his shining lights, the givers and forgivers who have the courage the make friends out of enemies, to feed the poor and receive their riches in return, and to welcome the stranger and the sinner, even asking for their prayers.
Read moreWhen Does Christmas End?
Let’s not rush the season of Ordinary Time.
Read moreI believe, Lord, help my unbelief
In what ways do our liturgies manifest a faith that has no space for wrestling with God? In what ways do our liturgies manifest a confident faith that also is honest about struggle and question?
Read moreArs Praedicandi: The Pledge of the Eternal Banquet
If today’s parable presents an image of God who desires us, who will go to the ends of the world to bring human beings to him, what can we say about our desire to be with God?
Read moreThe Gospel of Christmas Day
“No wonder people don’t get it. Churchgoers at Christmas expect a tableau. John, instead, gives us a trajectory—from the dawn of time to the gift of salvation.”
Read moreIt’s a Chasuble, Not a Poncho: #PapalGoofs
Every journalist wants to get his or her story right. Every once in a while, though, an error will creep in.
Read moreArs Praedicandi: Sermon on Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
We tend to think that we can imprint righteousness on society through legislation, but in today’s letter of St. Paul to the Romans, St. Paul reminds us that God’s righteousness—the very righteousness that Jesus has called us to pursue in this life—is located not in a body of legislation, but in a person.
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