In this weekend’s readings, we have Jesus telling us how to resolve conflict in the church. It is not easy when people who claim to follow the Prince of Peace end up fighting with one another. Sometimes that conflict comes from people straying from the great commandments that Jesus gave us. And sometimes this conflict … Read more
I sound like a broken record most of the time. I preach about what our calling as Christians is and for many of you, it is a message that you are tired of hearing. But like the prophet Jeremiah in this Sunday’s first reading, I cannot be silent for the message burns in my soul. … Read more
This Sunday we have the story of the sower who sowed good seed and the enemy who sowed weeds. It is a parable that Jesus used to tell of the Children of God and those of evil who will co-exist in the world until the end of their lives when they will separated and judged … Read more
As I read the readings for this Sunday, I find myself reflecting on the mission and vision of our parish. Our parish attempts to chart a new course when it comes to how to be a Christian. It is not the old, tired path of following every rule and believing every dogma. No, it is about … Read more
This Sunday we read about the blind man who received his sight from Jesus. Coupled with this gospel message is the message from the first book of Samuel about not choosing the one that looks like a king, but rather the one who is to be king. And in the epistle to the Ephesians, we … Read more
There are times where I am thankful that we are on a set lectionary. The readings never fail to shine a light on what we go through day to day in our mundane life. But it easy to forget that even though the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it was a committee of theologians that … Read more
This week’s Gospel and readings center on the idea of thankfulness and gratitude. In my 24 years of ministry, I have never experienced a time where there is less gratitude or thankfulness in our world. So many people look for the fault in others, the things they can complain about, and the opportunities to pick … Read more
I received a lot of hate this past week because I chose not to celebrate the 4th of July. I did this after much prayer and reflection. It was meant to send a message that I cannot celebrate the independence and freedom in our nation until we are all free and independent. And in this … Read more
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. We take time at Mass to wander the streets of Jerusalem (and Augusta) with Jesus and see all the brokenness around him. While Jesus was being hailed as the King of the Jews, He recognized that those same people would eventually yell, “Crucify Him!” Even his own disciples, our forefathers … Read more