• The Inchained

    Jesus is disobedient to the rulers of his time; the “scribes and Pharisees,” and “the Sanhedrin.” He will not be chained by them, not made subservient to their divisive system, as others are. Jesus is free and is teaching others to be free. Jesus keeps encouraging common unity. Therefore, he keeps encouraging reconciliation, “be…

  • Light In The Darkness

    Isaiah writes, “(I)f you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness.” So too Jesus speaks of bestowing Beatitudes or Blessings and then telling us, “You are the light of the world.” “Just so, your light must shine before others.” “Give your light…

  • Changing the Narrative

    The stories of the Old Testament are replete with the Religion of Militarism’s warriors and their glory. That truth is reflected in this Sunday’s Psalm, “Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong, mighty in battle.” (#24) That narrative changes with the Gospel which tells us the story of a baby, Jesus, and…

  • Called to Community

    Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit. In the midst of rulers who devise division and hatred, Jesus is on a Spirited mission for community and love. “As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew.” “He said to them, “Come…

  • A Dove’s Mission

    Jesus receives the Spirit in the form of a dove as John the Baptist gives witness, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him.” Doves periodically appeared in early art; from Mesopotamia and Syria to the Canaanites, Israelites, and Greeks. Doves have tended to represent love, romance,…

  • The Authority of Artists

    Jesus is beginning his creative expression on this earth. He will author much beauty across his life. He is an artist, born of Divinity. It is confirmed in his baptism, “and behold, the heavens were opened and John the Baptist saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon Jesus.” We…

  • Who Knew the Magi Were Parents?

    “Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem.” “Where is the newborn,” they wondered. Then, they “saw his star rising” “and stopped over the place where the child was.” “On entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.” Then what? Might the Magi have forewarned the new parents about kids, ‘A child…

  • Journeys of Holy Families

    An angel said to Joseph in a dream, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod… is searching for the child to destroy him.” Who would want to destroy a child? What must be the anguish, the horror to be a parent who fears…

  • Inside Edition: Joseph and All Fathers

    I think sometimes I shall never have a son. I’ve wondered why I am forsaken. I am forsaken of my legacy, a bestowing of my self, my property to an heir. How then shall I live on? How shall I show I made a difference in this world? What will be my mark, if…

  • Inside Edition: John and All Truthtellers

    Though I live in the desert, my senses bring in so much. I see the beauty of people and the verdant landscape. I see too their suffering and its depletion. I hear words of love spoken and laughter exclaimed. I hear too the cry of the poor their sobbing cascading. I feel the softness…