It amazes us to think that the strange imagery of Revelation and other apocalyptic literature was part of the purpose of encouraging people! But in fact, this writing is for the sake of comforting people under persecution. They are invited to recognize the cosmic significance of their own sufferings. The woman was given a place of refuge in the desert; this is a fitting image of Mary's assumption into heaven. Recorded at Sacred Heart, Franklin.

The Assumption of the Mother of God calls to mind the presence of the Son of God in this world. Awareness of the presence of God focused, among the people of Israel, upon the Ark of the Covenant. The title "Mother of God" is literally translated "God-bearer." Recorded at St. Sebastian, Waverly.

A consideration of the concrete experience of faith. This was recorded at the end of my current weekend schedule, at New Berlin St. Mary.

I recorded this homily at the beginning of my weekend schedule, at Visitation BVM Church in Alexander, an unincorporated community on Old U.S. 36 between Springfield and Jacksonville. We hear from Ecclesiastes the word "vanity," which perhaps for you and me is better rendered "foolishness."

For the last time at Holy Cross, a summary of the strangeness of the Christian faith, and its power to shatter all distinctions among human beings.

Walking in on the second act of "David and Bathsheba," as we do today, is proof that our appreciation of our worship depends on our taking time to be more familiar with the Bible. The second reading and Gospel make abundantly clear the gratuitous nature of mercy, forgiveness, and salvation.

When I tried to record this, I failed to turn it off until it had been recording for about four hours. So here's a summary. "Eating helps." This was my discovery in the midst of the pain of facing up to a move. The eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ keeps sustaining us.

Aspects of God as Trinity may be reflected upon when we say the Profession of Faith. The new English translation highlights the "consubstantiality" of Father and Son, and the incarnation of the eternal Word of God.

The flesh is not evil. We must understand Saint Paul's use of the term "the flesh." Perhaps a contemporary equivalent is the modern concept of "addiction."

"What's up, Doc?" What is the meaning of "up" when we consider the Ascension of the risen Jesus? Clues may be found in the Hebrews passage, about Jesus' entrance into the heavenly sanctuary, and in the Gospel passage, about the Apostles frequenting the Temple of Jerusalem.