A Time of Testing (1st Sunday of Lent: Deuteronomy 24:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13) Lent is upon us. We have made resolutions, perhaps to attend daily Mass or say more prayers. We have imposed certain sacrifices on ourselves (fasting from electronic devices, for example), possibly in view of benefiting others. In…

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What’s in Your Heart? (Sirach 27:4-7; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45) There is an ad for a credit card that ends with the question, “What’s in your wallet?” Sirach, in today’s first reading, and Jesus in the Gospel, both ask, in effect, “What’s in your heart?” and they look for…

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What a Challenge! (7thSunday: 1 Samuel 26:2-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38)  At La Salette, Mary reminded us of our obligation to honor the Lord’s Name and the Lord’s Day (Mass and rest), to respect the discipline of Lent, and to pray. These are all included in her call to submit….

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Like a Tree (6th Ordinary Sunday: Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26) Twice today we encounter the image of a fruit tree planted by a source of water. Jeremiah uses it to describe those who trust in the Lord; the Psalm applies it to those who delight in…

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