I Kings 19 tells the story of the prophet Elijah facing a serious threat from Queen Jezebel, who sought vengeance for the death of the prophets of Baal. Frightened, Elijah fled the city and even wished he were dead. Feeling overwhelmed and depressed he says: “Yahweh, I have had enough.…
The Shema Sh’ma Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad. Hear O Israel, The LORD is our God, the Lord is One. So begins the prayer that every Jew prays before going to sleep at the end of the day. Believe in One God The Shema holds a central place in both…
Grace to you, GVM readers. On Saturday, August 12 at 925am Eastern USA time we will be live streaming our Grace Day GVM 10th Anniversary Mass. The link below will give you direct access to it. It will be saved for future viewing, as well. Thank you for your prayers and…
I went to bed last night thinking about my monthly reflection. I had not read the gospel reading yet, but as I lay there thinking, God placed a specific situation on my heart. I knew He was asking me to tell the story. This morning I sat at my computer…
Today’s Gospel reading holds a special fascination for me, because it links the Paschal mystery with Jesus’ desire for those outside the chosen people of Israel. For a long time before my conversion to the faith, I believed that the doors of every church were barred to me as a…
I apologize for this short post. It is more a trip report and less a reflection. Greetings to you from the City of Santiago de Compostela, the endpoint of the Camino de Santiago, the Way of St. James. Home of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the reputed burial place…
The Gospel today (Mt 14:22-36) as suggested for Years B and C of the liturgical calendar narrates an aspect of the experience of the apostle Peter with regard to his faith at the moment of fear. It was also read yesterday in many parts of the world as reflects the…
The readings of today’s feast, the transfiguration of the Lord, describe generously the splendor of the beingness of the Most High. They illustrate the magnificent nature and the grandeur of God. The vision of the Prophet Daniel testifies: His robe is white as snow. His throne is a blaze of…
What Does the Priest Think During Confession? In my life as a priest, a question that I get asked, usually by a nervous penitent, is “what are you thinking as I confess my sins?” “Do you remember my sins?” Fair questions and maybe similar to the ones that I had…
Today we read in the Gospel of Matthew that Jesus comes home and does some teaching in the synagogue. He gets a less than warm welcome. The locals take offense at how learned and wise he has become and are stunned by the mighty deeds that he has done during…