Lord, Increase My Faith
Dear Brothers and Sisters, We heard last week about how the ‘pursuit of more’ blinded the rich man in the gospel from seeing the sufferings of Lazarus. He was not a cruel man or complacent but he did not see the reality in front of him and by the time he saw Lazarus in the…
Read More
He Saw Lazarus At The Side Of Abraham
Dear Brothers and Sisters, We continue the theme Jesus suggested a few weeks ago of ‘counting the cost to be a disciple’ as we begin another school year. Clearing the deck in our busy lives gives us time to work on relationships with your spouse, your kids, your parents, it gives you freedom and flexibility…
Read More
To Be A Disciple
Dear Brothers and Sisters, For many years I hated my parents and myself thinking that life was unfair and my brothers were treated better than me, and that my parents had too many kids, and many other stupid things. Jesus says in today’s gospel of Luke (14:25-33) that we should hate father, mother, wife and…
Read More
Martha Has Chosen The Best Part
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Two weeks ago we heard about what makes a Christian rejoice? The seventy-two disciples showed us that when the announced the Kingdom of God they were very happy. Last week the gospel asked when should a Christian stop or pause in their life? And we saw that a Christian should stop…
Read More
Who Is My Neighbor?
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Last week we heard what makes a disciple or a Christian rejoice: it is to announce the Gospel, to speak to others of God. Maybe this couple who were tragically killed in our parish could have been saved and their three kids would not be orphans, if someone gave a Word…
Read More
Let Us Boast In The Cross of Christ
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Five weeks ago St. Paul said the gospel that he preached is not his own; it is from God. He was called to do so in his mother’s womb, and his call was a service for the Church. Every Christian is called to serve the Church in some capacity; it is…
Read More
Only Christ Will Set You Free
Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is ‘for’ freedom that Christ has set us free. So that you are no longer a slave to your self or to others, you are self-possessed, and in the face of difficulties you are at peace. You are free to say really what you think. Jesus died so that we…
Read More
Your Cross Is Your Way To Salvation
Dear Brothers and Sisters, An old and trusted slave with a good character known well by the family would be in charge of the moral welfare of a young boy. He was called paidagogos in Greek, meaning a tutor or guide. His job was to lead the young child to school and back each day…
Read More
Christ Died For Me
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Last week we heard that Paul was called by God before he was born for a mission of service to the Church and especially to the gentiles. The gospel Paul preached was not from man, but from God and God’s call is always something outside of us; it is not something…
Read More
The Gospel Preached By Me Is Not Of Human Origin
Dear Brothers and Sisters: When I told my mother that I was accepted to the seminary for the Archdiocese of Newark sixteen years ago she said, ‘I always knew you would be a priest; I felt it the first time I held you.’ Moms can easily get carried away at moments like this and truth…
Read More