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Fifth Sunday of Lent [C]

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FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT [C] Jesus wins a reprieve for the woman caught in adultery. He sends her on her way with the words: “sin no more” (John 8:11). Does she comply? We don’t know. But let’s suppose that she does comply; she takes the message to heart. What will this signify? As far as St. Paul is concerned, this signifies a type of liberation. She’s no longer carrying the burden of sin. Now she can run freely. In pursuit of what? Paul refers to it as “the finish line” (Phil. 3:14, original NAB translation). It’s “the prize” (revised NAB translation). In other words, it’s something very desirable, something appealing. It’s appealing in the same way that a river would hold appeal for someone journeying in the desert (see Isaiah 43:16-19). Isaiah looks forward to the day when God will transform the desert into a place of vitality. A river will be released, providing satisfaction for those who are in need of refreshment. God has had enough of the old; now a new plan will be unfolding....
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Fourth Sunday of Lent [C]

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  FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT [C] Perhaps you’ve seen the character “Dr. Jekyll” portrayed on film. The performance of Frederic March stands out (1931), along with the performance of John Barrymore (1920). Prior to appearing on screen, the character first appears as the subject of a Gothic novel, a novel authored by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886). He presents Henry Jekyll as a physician, who enjoys spending time in the laboratory, conducting experiments. The day arrives when he conducts a particular risky experiment—upon himself. As a result, suddenly he’s changing. Before long, he establishes himself as his own worst enemy. His savage persona will become known as “Mr. Hyde.”  The two identities contend with each other, vying for supremacy. The cycle continues to repeat itself, until the story brings us to a tragic ending—typical within the category of Gothic fiction.  Your heart goes out to Dr. Jekyll. It’s a tormenting experience when you find that you are acting as your own w...
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Third Sunday of Lent [C]

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  THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT [C] You’ve heard the expression: Don’t go there!! Essentially that’s what we’re hearing from Jesus in the Gospel of Luke chapter thirteen. The disciples are being warned not to speculate. Yes, a tower did collapse in Siloam (a district located just south of Jerusalem). Yes, eighteen people died as a result. And yes, the reports are true about a council of Galilean conspirators; they have been apprehended and they also have been put to death.  For your part, you’re thinking this has to do with unconfessed sin. You’re seeing two cases of divine retribution. These untimely deaths have occurred because transgressions were being committed. I’m saying: Think again!! Concentrate on your own transgressions, your own level of culpability! The call for repentance is universal. It’s not as if your purity exceeds the purity of those who died in Siloam or those who died at the hands of Pilate (see Luke 13:1-9).   In other words, don’t act superior; don’t ...
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Second Sunday of Lent [C]

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  SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT [C] Back in 1964, Chuck Berry was singing about the experience of having “no particular place to go.”  Was it a problem for him, not having any particular place to go? Actually, he didn’t seem to mind at all. What about the patriarch Abraham? He evidently has no particular place to go. Does it bother him? We don’t know for sure. We can say this much, however: if it doesn’t bother Abraham , it does represent a source of bother for the God of Abraham . An apparition takes place; suddenly Abraham is on the move. He has somewhere to go. He leaves the region of Mesopotamia, traveling several hundred miles west, and then another few hundred miles south. By the time he concludes his journey, Abraham is now residing in the land of Canaan (see Gen. 12).  Are we talking about change for the sake of change? Is it simply about a change of scenery for Abraham? Is this God having some fun, moving pieces around on the chess board? No, in Genesis chapter 15 we hea...
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First Sunday of Lent [C]

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  FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT [C] Some of you will remember a film called “In Harm’s Way.”  Originally it was released as a novel [1962]; soon afterward it was adapted for the screen [1965]. A number of story-lines are covered throughout the course of the feature. One of the more intriguing story-lines centers around a Naval officer being reunited with his son. He had long ago drifted out of contact with his ex-wife and his toddler son. Therefore it comes as a surprise when he learns that the son is now serving as an ensign in the Navy.  This leads to an eventual reunion. Can it be described as a happy occasion? Not exactly. For his part, the father has high hopes. However, tension fills the air, from the very first moment that the encounter gets underway. The son offers the courtesy that would befit a superior officer, but he offers nothing beyond that. No warmth. No smile. No acknowledgment of a family bond. The gripping scene concludes with the presentation of a stiff salute....
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Sermon For Ash Wednesday

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  ASH WEDNESDAY Imagine that it’s 1961. You’re Audrey Hepburn, entering into your daily ritual. This ritual places you before a store window. Why are you stopping in front of this particular window? You like what’s being displayed on the other side of the glass. You dream about the day when you’ll be able to adorn yourself with what’s being featured on the other side of this window.   What is it that has you so captivated? Is it a bowl of ashes? Are you dreaming about the day when a priest will reach out and mark you with ashes? That’s an unlikely prospect. Why would ashes be put on display? Furthermore, why would anybody want to be adorned with ashes? Customarily, the more natural desire is to be adorned with jewelry. That’s what Audrey Hepburn dreams about in that 1961 film, Breakfast At Tiffany’s . She’s looking forward to the day when she can be adorned with the jewelry that comes from Tiffany’s. She’s attracted to jewelry, not ashes.  Having outlined her ritual...
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8th Sunday of Ordinary Time [C]

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  EIGHTY SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [C] You judge a tree by examining its fruit (see Sir. 27:6 & Lk 6:44). Therefore, initially you will be focusing upon the branches of the tree. Paul, however, has shifted his attention away from the branches; it’s more about what’s happening with the roots (see 1st Cor. 54-58). What can we say about the roots? Are they reaching out? Have they tapped into a source that will bring some level of nourishment and vitality to the tree? Essentially, if you have successful roots then success will begin to likewise appear on the branches. In other words, if there’s action underneath the tree, this will lead to action taking shape upon the branches of the tree. You will have fruit, and you will have it in abundance.  Fruit of what type? Well, a lot can be said about this theological subject. In the interests of time, we’ll restrict ourselves to the specific fruit being emphasized in First Corinthians chapter fifteen: namely, the virtue of hope. Appre...
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