Can anger, jealousy, anxiety, arousal, loneliness, or sadness be holy? Yes! Emotions are God-given gifts! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Three Scripture passages challenging those who are rich. But even if we aren't rich, are we guilty of the same sin as them: creating a chasm between us and our neighbors? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The sins of the Pharisees in Jesus' time are often the sins that those of us in Christian leadership -- both clergy and laypeople -- struggle with, too! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Genesis 22 -- the story of the sacrifice of Isaac -- raises some tough questions. What is faith? Are we ready to journey with Jesus to Calvary? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The Book of Esther (as it appears in Catholic Bibles) and prayer. Are we approaching this Lent with humility? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The Book of Jonah's fictional account of the fate of the city of Nineveh. Who is in need of repentance? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Rain and snow soften the hard soil, provide nutrients to plants, and cause them to grow and expand. How is God's Word like the rain and the snow? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

As Jesus points out, choosing between life and death may involve facing a paradox. Thoughts on how we carry our crosses. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Seeing Ash Wednesday as a starting point in a season of growth! COmments from the beginning of Mass, after the psalm, at the homily, and during the announcements. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The story of Noah's Ark -- as familiar as it may be to us from childhood -- poses some very vexing questions about the nature of God. We explore some of those questions today. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)