So there is nothing new about identity theft, it is as old as humankind.  In fact, Jesus warns us about identity theft-of the deepest kind- it today’s assigned reading from the Gospel of John.  There are many thieves and imposters in this life, Jesus warns us, who will not only steal your stuff, but try…

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He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.’ Jn 10:3b, 27-28 I never thought I would have to make such an official statement,…

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Our modern avoidance of silence surely does all kinds of bad things to intimacy between partners, to people’s mental health and young people’s development, but perhaps its greatest ill effect is on our spiritual development.  Because all old Christian traditions, including ours, have always maintained the key role silence plays in our spiritual development.  Its…

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Occasionally when our kids are talking too much and getting on our nerves, we try and play the game that parents have likely played for thousands of years; Who can be quiet the longest?  It’s a a key game for long amounts of time together in small spaces, we will certainly play it multiple times…

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On my way back from a funeral service, I passed a sign in front of a humble church with the phrase “God’s ‘no’ is not a rejection but a redirection.”  Funny that a sign on Curlew road can reveal wisdom for our everyday lives which also penetrates the depths of God’s relationship with humankind.  As we talked about last week, I…

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‘These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.’ (Jn 14:25-27) On my way back from a family funeral…

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We get a fair amount of visitors and newcomers to our parish which is a great blessing.  But last week I got a call that I knew was going to be a ‘drive-by.’  My cell rang on Saturday at 4pm. ‘Can we see the church?’ they asked. No “hello”, no “how are you,” no relationship…

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And this is the confidence we have in God, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. –1 Jn. 5:13-21 We get a fair amount of visitors and newcomers to…

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And so today on Mother’s Day, it is natural and right to lift up our gratitude not only in the name of the father, but also in the name of all mothers; who reveal to us the very heart of God.  For just as a good mother out of her maternal nature is able to…

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“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Is 66:13 We speak of God the father dozens of times in liturgy, i.e…our doxology begins “Park Hor—Glory to the Father…” This is proper, of course, as the Bible speaks constantly of God as a father.   But today…

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