Shawn The Baptist - Sunday Scriptures

Scouts know a lot about finding the way. We're famous for it. Here are some thoughts given to Scouts camped on the Kansas City NASCAR track.

Anyone can look at a bunch of facts and reach some kind of conclusion to say what we "know," but what do we "believe?"

We thirst for many things and look for way to satisfy these desires. In today's Gospel, we see that Jesus also thirsts... for us.

The Hillside City of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee

In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks of a city on a mountain or hill not being able to be hidden. Perhaps we might think of a city high up on a mountain. When I went to Galilee to the spot where Jesus spoke these works, I found that he might be referring to something different. A city set on a hill might be something more like the city of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. It is literally "set on a hill" by being built into the hillside. You can see each successive terrace of the city as it climbs higher and higher. Indeed such a city cannot be hidden, especially at night.

Today we look at the city of Tiberias at night and think how beautiful it is. Yet, when Jesus spoke about such a city, his apostles would have though also about how dangerous it is. In the ancient world you constantly had to worry about your city being attacked. For protection you could make high walls or, better yet, completely hide the city underground. A city that could be hidden was a safe city, a "city that cannot be hidden" as Jesus spoke of was a dangerous city.

Despite the dangers, Jesus clearly wants his disciples and his Church today to take the riskier path of being a city exposed for all to see. We are to let our light shine. The readings today tell us that the best way to do this is not just with words, as St. Paul cautions, but with our actions. We know that if we stand for moral principles, bear witness to the truth, live our faith in public, then we will be exposed and vulnerable to attack like a city on a hillside. Yet this is what we are called to do.

When we know this we shouldn't be surprised that we get singled out for special scrutiny or that the devil seems to be constantly putting up obstacles. If you're under attack, it means you are doing real damage to Satan's kingdom, it means you have a city that is worth attacking. Good for you! It won't be easy, but it's worth the risk. In the end, there are two options. We can build our city on a hillside with all the opportunity and danger that go together or we can try to hide underground where it will be safer. Which city do you want your life to be?

The role of a prophet of God is to speak the word of God to the world right now as seen with Martin Luther King and with the March for Life.

Today's homily reflects on three important things that the Magi did that we should also do if we want peace (Latin: Pax) in this New Year.

Today is World Day of Prayer for Peace. If you want peace in your hearts this new year, here are five practical tips based on the word peace.

Explore the reality of family problems and the quest for perfection. Discover how the holy family offers guidance for our struggles.

Have you ever hoped for the perfect Christmas? The first Christmas wasn't so perfect, so yours doesn't have to be either.

Courage to Fight

Today's is the 238th anniversary of the birth of the United States Marine Corps. Tomorrow is also Veterans' Day. While neither those who serve in uniform nor the Church glorify war, we are rightly inspired by the selfless sacrifice of those who serve in our country's armed forces. Today's homily explores some of the important lessons we can learn from our men and women in uniform and how we can better fight so as win the many spiritual battles we face each day as the Church Militant.