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23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time [B]

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  23RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] I’ll begin by linking the miracle of Mark chapter seven with the prophecy outlined in Isaiah chapter thirty five. In other words, our Gospel passage this weekend seems to build upon our selection from the Old Testament. Jesus issues the command: BE OPENED (Mk. 7:34)! It’s an expression that can be applied on more than one level. In this particular case, it refers to the opening of an ear canal. But the command BE OPENED can likewise be applied to an impaired voice box or an impaired eye socket (see Matt. 12:22).  We can widen the application further by focusing upon the subject of the human heart. We hear about the opening of eye sockets, ear canals, and voice boxes. And yet, all too often, the problem has more to do with the heart (see Mk. 7:21-23). Note this weekend’s second reading. James includes this message about partiality because hearts are sealing shut when they should be opening wide (2:1-5). Instead of being locked, these hearts need to be
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22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time [B]

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  22ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] We’ll open by recalling a 1963 episode of Andy Griffith, titled The Loaded Goat .  The storyline centers around a goat that’s known for gobbling up everything in its path. It wanders near a construction site and begins eating sticks of dynamite, thereby taking on a “loaded” status. Sheriff Taylor and Deputy Fife respond to the scene and they decide to handle the goat as if it’s an armed explosive, ready to ignite at any moment. The drama unfolds, along with the comedy, eventually bringing about a happy ending—no injuries or casualties.  The goat represents one extreme, in that it will eat anything it comes across. Meanwhile, we encounter another extreme when we review this weekend’s Gospel selection. The Scribes and the Pharisees will only eat what has been classified as kosher .  They follow a heavily regulated diet, and they also commit to strict standards of purification. The tension mounts when they attempt to impose these external practices upon
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21st Sunday of Ordinary Time [B]

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21ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] In our second reading this weekend (Eph. 5:21-32) we hear some particulars concerning the bond of marriage. Of course we know it’s a very serious undertaking when a groom and bride exchange their vows. An old Herman comic strip depicts a groom being chastised by the minister: You’re supposed to say I DO ; not I’LL TRY . The groom senses up front that this venture will involve a significant measure of challenge.  You could say something similar about a commitment that’s being made to the Lord. It’s going to involve a considerable amount of sacrifice and effort. The commitment being made by Joshua will stand the test of time. It’s firm and solid. As for the Israelites, their profession will not stand the test of time. The words come across as sincere (see Joshua 24:16-24). But if you read what follows in the Book of Judges, the narrative takes on a tone of profound disappointment. By way of metaphor, simply imagine the huffing and puffing of the Big Bad
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20th Sunday of Ordinary Time [B]

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  20TH SUNDAY, ORDINARY TIME [B] You have a visitor. This visitor goes by the name of Sam-I-Am. He doesn’t arrive empty handed; you can see that he is carrying a platter. He’s offering you a helping of Green Eggs & Ham. You insist that you are not in the mood for a helping of Green Eggs & Ham. In fact, you’re doubting if you ever will be in the mood for Green Eggs & Ham. Sam-I-Am refuses to take “no” for an answer. He continues to reframe the proposition. After you’ve declined a total of fifteen times, it eventually becomes clear that he’s not going to let up until you at least give them a try. You finally agree to have a taste. And surprisingly enough, you’re finding that you actually like Green Eggs & Ham! They are satisfying you in a way you could not have expected.  Now you’re hearing another voice. Now it’s the Word of God reaching out to you, making a passionate appeal, inviting you to PARTAKE! We’re not talking about a serving of Green Eggs & Ham. Instead,
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Homily for the Assumption of Mary

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  ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Being “full of grace” (Lk. 1:28) and “Immaculately Conceived” (CCC 490-493), we can describe the Virgin Mary as a unique Biblical figure. She possesses a unique status and this will lead her to experience a rather unique destiny. She fulfills her original role by serving as the Mother of Christ. However, from the cross Jesus will endow her with a new role: she goes from Mother of Christ to being Mother of those who belong to Christ (John 19:26-27).  In order to embrace this new role, she will need a new vantage point. The privilege of belonging to Christ will be extended to the entire worldwide population. We are talking about a church that is in the process of becoming truly Catholic ---or “universal.”  If Motherly oversight is going to be  provided for such a diverse membership, then Mary will have to be “assumed” so that she can observe from a perspective that goes beyond the earthly perspective. Therefore we celebrate what is referred to as t
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19th Sunday of Ordinary Time [B]

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  19TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] Are we grieving the Holy Spirit? Do we actually have this capability? Paul would answer by saying “yes” (see Ephesians 4:30). How does it happen? We could imagine any number of possibilities. For example, you can grieve the Spirit by adopting an attitude of despair. Note the case of Elijah in this passage from the First Book of Kings. An angel has to intervene, helping him to recognize that there is a way forward. And as a result, Elijah begins moving in a forward direction (19:4-8). Upon learning that there is a way forward, he commits himself to picking up the pace. He welcomes the prospect of moving forward.  What about the audience featured in the Gospel of John, chapter six? How do they feel about the prospect of moving forward? Are they welcoming the arrival of the Messiah? No. They dismiss him as a local derelict (6:42). Are they welcoming the concept of a new and improved Manna? No. The book has been closed on this subject. Manna had its pla
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18th Sunday of Ordinary Time [B]

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18TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [B] Imagine launching an under-fueled space mission. The people at NASA did just that back in November of 1973. The objective of the Mariner Ten mission was to explore the innermost planet of our solar system, Mercury. Carrying a sufficient fuel-load means that the mission will never clear the launchpad; too much weight will have been added. Therefore, the decision is made to launch with a reduced fuel-load. Another means of propulsion will be utilized when the probe passes within range of the planet Venus. A calculated angle of approach will place Mariner Ten within the gravity field of Venus. The pull, combined with the established momentum, creates a “sling-shot” effect. The probe has been given a “gravity boost” as it continues on to Mercury. You don’t have everything that you need as the mission gets started. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that help will be provided along the way.  Something similar happens with the Israelites. They take provisions a
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