Posts by John and Kathy Schultz
Have no fear
Today’s readings should comfort us, strengthen us, remind us of who we are and call us to repentance. Repentance seems to sound harsh to our ears. We much prefer those images of being comforted and strengthened. Paul’s Letter to the Romans is one of my favorite Scriptures. It assures us that believers cannot be condemned,…
Read MoreThe Shock of Recognition
Jesus Amps it Up. Jesus has just finished denouncing the Pharisees in strong and unmistakable terms – “Woe to you Pharisees!” In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus intensifies His criticism to focus on the Lawyers. Hear what Jesus has to say to the Lawyers – “This generation may be charged with the blood of all the…
Read MoreWoe to you, Pharisees!
To lead them astray: Jesus saves his harshest words for false shepherds. “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God… You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. (Lk.11: 42-43)…
Read MoreUpsetting the Order
We often gloss over the implications of living fully as a Christian. It’s more acceptable to many if we embrace the Christmas card image of the Incarnation; that is a stable as clean as a cottage with happy barnyard animals surrounding a beatific Mary who cradles a chubby infant Jesus. Easter should be full of…
Read MoreLessons in Salvation History
Today’s readings remind us that God reaches out to us across time. In the first reading from Genesis, Joseph, saved by the hand of God from his jealous brothers and Potiphar, feeds the starving masses. Joseph has been given great power from Pharoah. Yet, he wields that power with great mercy; even extending mercy to…
Read MoreHealing of the Paralytic
The story of the healing of the paralytic man in Matthew’s gospel reading continues to resonate even after two thousand years. All three synoptic Gospels (Mt. 9: 1-8, Mk. 2: 1-12, and Lk. 5: 17-26) include this story. In a few short paragraphs, we are given a rich account of friendship, faith, doubt, forgiveness, and…
Read MoreBlessed Stanislaw Kostka Starowieyski
Our reflection this month centers on one of the saints the Catholic Church celebrates. His name is Stanislaw Kostka Starowieyski. Blessed Stanislaw was a decorated soldier in the Austrian Army during World War I, founder of the Polish Army in 1918, and after his military career went on to study agriculture and manage a large…
Read MoreThe Second Calling of the Apostles
In Luke’s story of the road to Emmaus we see the apostles at an inflection point. It appears their ministry has been utterly crushed. Jesus has been crucified and they are no doubt racked with guilt over their abandonment of Him. But then… a few days after the crucifixion, wild stories begin to circulate. A…
Read MoreProphets
Priest, Prophet and King: By our baptism we Christians are called to be priests, prophets, and kings. Whether we were baptized as unaware infants or as fully consenting adults, the priest’s words “Just as Jesus was anointed priest, prophet, and king, so may you live always as a member of his body sharing everlasting life”…
Read MoreDivine and Human Labors
Each Lent we make a point of listening to Jesus Christ Superstar. All the songs are memorable but one in particular stands out as it describes the crowds pressing upon Jesus with their cries for healing. See my eyes, I can hardly see. See me stand, I can hardly walk. I believe you can make…
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