Posts by Nicole Buchholz
Who Does He Think He is?
Today’s Gospel finds Jesus in the midst of his public ministry. After word spreads about him healing and casting out demons, there is nowhere he can go without a crowd. When he goes home, the crowd follows. His relatives have had enough! It is hard for them to see greatness in the one they have…
Read MoreReady or Not!
As a child, I often played a game called “Hide and Seek” with friends, siblings, and cousins. The one who was “it” had to count down with their eyes covered as the others hid. At the end of the countdown, they would have to say the line, “Ready or not, here I come!” The countdown…
Read MoreToo Poor to Give?
Years ago at a Catholic school started in Manila, Philippines, the head of campus ministry began an outreach program for the students to participate in. This was unique since the school itself was an outreach to provide quality education to the underprivileged. Many students questioned the campus minister, “What do we have to give?” The…
Read MoreLife of Virtue
This segment of Saint Paul’s letter today can be a bit discouraging. In this brief paragraph Paul outlines the struggle with temptation to sin. Knowing what is good and right, we often choose evil instead. The whole life of virtue consists of this struggle between knowing good and choosing good. Life of virtue would be…
Read MoreEzra and Hope
A Mission of Hope: Ezra and the remnant of God’s people who returned from exile to Jerusalem to rebuild were people of hope, in the midst of disappointment. They had been exiled for a lifetime, and they returned to ruins. They were called to rebuild not only the temple, but their very faith. The apostles,…
Read MoreHumility
Last and First: Today’s gospel is the source of an iconic turn of phrase. “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last. “(Lk. 13:30) The contradiction of being last yet first, or first yet last leaves a striking image in the mind. It brings another passage…
Read MoreThe Difference
Privilege: What was the difference between Moses and all the other Israelites, between the disciples and all the crowds? Their privileged positions were not based on merit or on personal accomplishment. Moses and the disciples were the ones God chose, and there was no other distinguishing factor between them and the rest. Sometimes privilege comes…
Read MoreMiracle of Life
The miracle of life never ceases to amaze. The readings for this solemnity reflect the wonder of that miracle. Words like, “called from birth” (Is.49:1), “formed as his servant from the womb” (Is.49:5), “from my mother‘s womb he gave me my name” (Is.49:1): these words pull out the mystery and awe of what it is…
Read MoreIs It Worth It?
The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel are very strong words. It is frightening to think that our faith in God and our following of God’s will could put us in danger. However, this is what the Lord is telling us. There will be moments in life when following God’s will could cost us: friendships,…
Read MoreIncredulous for Joy
“Everything is new, Lord, and nothing is the same, nothing is old.” Reflections on Pope Francis I have been reflecting on the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the past few days. God gave him the grace of being very present to his flock up to the last moment. The day before he passed,…
Read More