Weekly Reflections (Page 10)

The first thing that stands out about the wedding feast of the Lamb, the eternal Eucharist of Heaven (Matthew 22:1-14), is the fact that its choice foods do not spoil; last forever; and without need to be reheated, they are continually delicious. This is a mere human way of introducing us to the most unfamiliar concept of durationwithout the passing of time. This concept of duration without the passing of time is what we commonly refer to as “eternity,” which is…

Once upon a time there were three friends—Ralph, Reuben, and Roger—down on their luck and searching for work, but without success. Then they finally got very lucky: a wealthy landowner hired them to live on and take care of his large apple orchard. They were quite grateful and determined to do a good job. The men soon decided each of them should be in charge of one-third of the orchard, so they divided it into three sections by means of a small fence,…

Alas, I know of a few men and women who turned bitter, disenchanted, depressed and unable to trust another human being for the rest of their life because their love was not reciprocated. As we clearly see in the Book of Isaiah (5:1-7) and the Gospel of Matthew (21: 33-43), God himself laments this experience of unreciprocated love, of a broken heart, not once, not twice, but repeated times throughout history. The analogy of the vineyard fails to hide God’s…

The parable given us for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time— stings. It is very brief, to the point and, ouch! It stings because it is aimed at most of us, “the insiders.” I mean, it is directed at those who have available all the tools, the means, and the information on how to act in a manner always pleasing to God. It was, originally, aimed at the chief priests and elders of the people. (Matthew 21:28) However, nowadays, who are the targets of Jesus’…

The Lord’s Prayer provides us with insight regarding our relationship to the Father: We are His children! We are His sons and daughters! St. Paul (Rom 8:14-21; 9:8; Gal 3:26; and Phil 2:15) reminds us that through this “adopted” relationship, we have become heirs of God’s promises. In the Gospel of Matthew (5:9), Jesus teaches that the children of God should be peacemakers. And in the Gospel of Luke (20:36), He reminds us that as children of God, we are also children of…

Here is a sobering fact: if God were to treat us with justice, we would all be wiped out, erased off the face of the earth in an instant. If you, Lord, mark iniquities, Lord who can stand? (Psalm 130) Today we are all invited to rejoice that God is not just with us in a distributive sense but, rather, he is “just” in his divine way. Any of our sins, however small, is an offense against God who is infinite.…

The phrase that comes to my mind reflecting on the Gospel passage from Matthew (18:21-35) is the one immortalized in the book and film The Godfather: “An offer that cannot be refused.” Yes, when it comes to forgiving or unwillingness to forgive, we face an offer made by God which we cannot refuse. We often hear that God’s love is unconditional. That sounds good and comforting but it is fluffy stuff, pure and simple. God’s love and forgiveness are conditional: they…

By Deacon Gregory Webster I struggle. But don’t have much to complain about. I fear. John Paul II told me “Be Not Afraid.” I worry. Anxiety is a monster I try to cage. I rush. Even when I am not in a hurry. I hunger. But not sure for what. I hope. Knowing in God is my joy. I petition. For my needs. I pray. Seeking understanding. I bleed. But won’t admit I was cut. I ache. My football coach said to get back up. I ponder. Looking at the stars.…

College students are back in the classroom now that a new academic term has begun—but this year some of them will be tempted to take advantage of a new form of cheating previously unavailable: using A.I., or artificial intelligence. Programs such as Chat GPT are now capable of writing term or research papers on virtually any subject imaginable, using correct grammar and including a bibliography and reference notes (though there’s evidence that sometimes Chat GPT will itself cheat by completely fabricating…

About seventy years ago there was a boy named Eugene Orowitz—a skinny, unimposing 100 pound high school student who seemingly had nothing going for him. One day in gym class the track instructor taught the boys how to throw a javelin, which is a sort of spear. All the other students tried hurling it; the longest throw was 30 yards. Then it was Eugene’s turn. Some of the kids taunted him:  “Hey, stupid, can you lift it? Careful, don’t stab yourself”—but they were…

Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18) What is quite intriguing is the fact that Jesus gives to each one of you, lay people, the authority which he had given to Peter and to the other 10 and, consequently, to bishops and priests ever since. (Matthew 16:19 and John 20:23) First, this means that, in Christ, heaven and earth are…