faith

  • Listening Sheep

    Listening Sheep

    “My sheep hear my voice.” – John 10:27 I wanted to return to something Pope Leo XIV said to the College of Cardinals in his meeting with them on the day after his election. In what seems to be his first draft of a program for his papacy, Leo underscored his commitment to build on…

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  • Better Him Than Me

    Better him than me. Before I dig into something Pope Leo XIV said to the College of Cardinals over the weekend in another post, I just wanted to take a moment of gratitude that I don’t have his job. Today he had a meeting with some of the 6,000 accredited media who have been covering…

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  • Millstones

    Millstones

    I’m glad I’m not a Catholic bishop in the US. In the Gospels, Jesus saves his harshest words for religious leaders that lead their followers astray. I think especially of Matthew 18, where, after saying that his followers should humble themselves like a little child, he says, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who…

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  • Be Not Surprised

    Though an unexpected choice, the new pope quickly won the hearts, not only of the faithful, but of others around the world with his humility, humor and ability to express an authentic connection with common, everyday people. He was a tireless advocate for peace who interceded with world leaders to try to end global conflicts.…

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  • A Saint and a Pope

    A Saint and a Pope

    Last summer, I went on retreat in Assisi with an outline I called “Francis x Francis”, and I don’t think I ever got around to sharing it here. The bottom line, though, is that I think you can find a lot of similarities between the life and teaching of Pope Francis and those of the…

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  • Holy Week

    Where are you this Holy Week? For those of you who are Catholic, Holy Week – starting with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter – includes a LOT of listening to Bible stories. Especially if you participate in the Triduum – marked by the services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on…

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  • Reconciling

    A couple quick things about the readings chosen by the Church for the 4th Sunday of Lent (which was today).  The Gospel is the parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15, one of the most famous stories Jesus tells. It’s worth noting (I think I heard Luke Johnson say this) that the context for…

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  • Canticle of Lent

    Canticle of Lent

    Altissimu, omnipotente bon Signore, Tue so le laude, la gloria e l’honore et onne benedictione. One year I tried to give up impatient driving for Lent. That didn’t go so great. Count me among those who can’t wait for autonomous vehicles to replace all the other drivers on the road. Ad Te solo, Altissimo, se…

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  • You first

    You first. Starting with yesterday’s Gospel, the readings for daily mass have some challenging things to say about how we Christians ought to act. Yesterday, we heard: “Love your enemies,  do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you,  pray for those who mistreat you.” And: “Give to everyone who asks of…

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