St Clement of Rome Catholic Church

Jesus introduces himself as our Shepherd. Perhaps the Psalm most familiar and dearest to us is Psalm 23: “the Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” However, even in our familiarity with that Psalm we are in no way hardwired to appreciate the role of Christ as our Shepherd and, even less, to accept our role as his sheep. Hence, first, we ought to delve into the Hebrew psyche as evidenced in the Bible if we want…

While it is true that the Lord appreciates and counts on our contribution, symbolized by our Sunday collection and by the bread and wine we bring to the altar, what the Lord welcomes most of all is that part of our heart which can be dubbed “Doubting Thomas.” He wants our “Doubting Thomas” to reshape it according to the Father’s plan. This transformation is meant for all of God’s children, including those who have messed up as badly as Peter,…

On Divine Mercy Sunday, there are many images… The Psalmist (132: 22-24) proclaims that: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. While building upon this proclamation, the First Letter of John (1 John 5: 1-6) provides us with further insight into this “rejected” stone: This is the One who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and…

While, historically, Jesus endured one horrific passion and death on a cross, we are blessed with four narratives of that same passion and death: Matthew’s, Mark’s, Luke’s and John’s. Today, on Palm Sunday, let me share with you six points of reflection which are Luke’s gift to us for our edification and for our spiritual growth. 1. Holy Communion is a call to joyous service of each other. As, at the Last Supper, he was serving us his flesh and blood for…