Posts by Joanne Huestis-Dalrymple
The Tragedy with Judas
Have you considered that Judas could have been a saint? Judas should have been a saint? “The great tragedy is that Judas might have been Saint Judas,” our pastor recently said in a homily. Today’s gospel reading brings us to the house of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus six days before Passover. It is the last…
Read MoreDon’t Give Up
Sin. Sin results in death. Turning away from sin and occasions of sin. Anger. Saving your life. Forgiveness. Fear of the Lord. Hope. Mercy. Reconciliation. Today’s readings are packed with wisdom and advice for obtaining eternal salvation. “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” says the Lord, “and not rather that he…
Read MoreHear My Voice
In the Psalm today the Lord says, “I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.” This got me thinking about prayer and how we hear God’s voice. I wondered if God speaks to us similarly or if we all have unique experiences. I concluded it is probably a little of both. I hear God’s…
Read MorePour Out Your Prayer
Have you ever cried out to the Lord in such desperation, quite literally on your knees because you are too weak to do otherwise? In today’s first reading Hannah is pouring out her troubles to the Lord in such a way that Eli thinks she is drunk. She is so desperate to have a son.…
Read MoreHalfway Through Advent
For many years we went all out during Advent. We did all the crafts with our children, celebrated every Feast Day in December with a big to do. A Jesse tree adorned with home-made ornaments sat atop the dining table, a manger in which the children had to fill with hay by doing kind deeds.…
Read MoreSt. Martin of Tours
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Martin of Tours. St. Martin lived in the fourth century and followed his father’s footsteps in becoming a Roman soldier. Interestingly, his parents were pagans. There is a story that St. Martin came upon a beggar who was nearly naked in the freezing cold weather. Martin cut his…
Read MoreThe Grace of Apostleship
Last night I had an incredible opportunity to attend an event hosted by a conservative Christian non-partisan, lobbying organization group that is firm on defending the values of traditional family, life at conception, and religious freedom. My mind is still spinning from the energy and passion the guest speakers spoke with at the event. I…
Read MoreMercifully Treated
I have been reflecting on Mercy for the past several months. Here I am again, after reading the first reading for today, faced with the words “mercifully treated.” St. Paul was speaking about himself, explaining how Jesus was so merciful to him. Jesus came to save sinners and was so patient with Paul, he explains…
Read MoreMade for Community
I love today’s gospel reading. It reminds me of how special and powerful communal prayer is. We were made for community. We were made to love and to be loved. Who is in your community? A Private Matter Where I grew up in the northeast, prayer was a very private affair within the family unit.…
Read MoreExtraordinary in the Ordinary
God uses ordinary people for extraordinary things. We are given countless examples of this throughout history. From the Old Testament reading today, ordinary Amos becomes a prophet for Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus picks ordinary men to not only be disciples, but apostles. They preached repentance and drove out demons. The ordinary apostles anointed…
Read More