January 17, 2009
The “power of the Spirit” which anointed Jesus “rests upon” you urging you to see yourself as “the captive, the blind and the prisoner” of today’s gospel. Are you a “captive” needing release from exhausting schedules? Is life so hectic you are “blind” to the needs of others? Are we “the captives” who need to be set free?
December 20, 2009
December 20, 2009
Mary was excited with her first pregnancy and rushed to tell her cousin. Some consider children as a liability, a “mouth to feed” or an obstacle to a career. While Christmas is “for children” it is also “for adults to appreciate the gift children are to us.”
December 12, 2009
When the crowds in today’s gospel asked “What shall we do?” the Baptist was very clear: SHARE. Resist giving token obligatory Christmas gifts. Instead give NECCESSITIES to the poor. If those who have nothing or very little are not on your Christmas list, you missed the point of Christmas.
November 22, 2009
When we are young, our parents “tell us about Jesus” and we believe what our parents believe. At some point we must leave our parents faith and ask Pilate’s questions: “Are you the King?” Pilate is just asking these questions on our behalf.
November 28, 2009
The Christmas season pressures families to buy and consume. Today’s gospel warns: “Be on guard and alert” lest you get caught up in the buying frenzy. The most important shopping you can do is in your own heart to discover what you can change. It is not what you get or give which makes the difference this Christmas, it is who you become.
November 15, 2009
Parenting is a constant state of uncertainty. Like the fig tree in today’s gospel, there are “signs” we look for and “angels” who come into our lives to give us guidance. But for the most part, parenting is a journey of uncertainty where we experience “darkness, being shaken, trials and falling out,” a journey demanding faith in ourselves and in our children.
November 8, 2009
The widow in today’s gospel invested “everything she had.” We are called to totally invest our trust, love and forgiveness in our family because this is the currency which glues a family together. Marriage and parenting are not for part-timers; they are full time careers demanding total investment.
November 1, 2009
The Beatitudes are The Charter for Family Life. Parents constantly address “hunger and thirst, mercy and peacemaking,” coax a “meek” child to speak up and teach the children to be “clean of heart.” When we “mourn” a loved one, our family is there to “comfort” us. Believe Jesus: You are “BLESSED” in living as a family.
October 18, 2009
“Advise” books abound on marriage and parenting. Jesus tells us in today’s gospel the real secret: satisfying relationships depend on how we sacrifice our needs to serve others. It is not about “getting,” it’s about “giving” the gift of ourselves. Life giving service is the sacrament of family life. If you feel like you are a servant to your children and spouse, then you are doing it right.
October 11, 2009
In our family we are taught to respond to the need of each other. But it does not stop there. Today’s gospel reminds us we have responsibility to our brother and sisters across the world who are not from our immediate family. Families are designed to be launching pads, not dead ends.
October 5, 2009
Today’s gospel is about a “new math.” In a Christian marriage, 1+1 does not equal 1 or 2, but 3. Each person retains their own unique identity but together create another identity (the “one flesh” Jesus speaks of in the gospel) which is greater than the sum of the individuals. Christian marriage is a challenge to be greater than ourselves.
September 27, 2009
While it is true parents raise children, it is also true children raise parents. Children help us discover our ability to be tender, compassionate, understanding, forgiving, loving and much more. This is one of the perks of parenting; we discover ourselves.