Living in Love with God

Today’s Readings Philip’s invitation to Nathanael in today’s Gospel is beautifully simple: “Come and see.” The Christian life begins with an encounter. The Lord desires more than our knowledge about Him or our obedience to His teachings. He desires that we know Him, love Him, and live in relationship with Him. As that relationship deepens and… Continue reading

Today’s Readings There are many questions Jesus asks in the Gospels, but perhaps none is more important than this one: “Who do you say that I am?” It is possible to know the right answer—to profess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God—and still keep Him at a distance. But Christianity is not simply… Continue reading

Today’s Readings God Is God, and I Am Not The reading from Ezekiel presents an almost humorous situation. The prince of Tyre thinks himself a god. Yet the Lord reminds him rather pointedly: you are a man, not a god. We may not claim to be gods, but we can sometimes live as though we are.… Continue reading

Today’s Readings The young man in today’s Gospel asks a question we all struggle with at times: “What must I do?” We long for fulfillment, joy, peace, greater faith, and deeper trust in the Lord. Yet when we ask what we must do, we often begin by looking at ourselves. Jesus points us in another direction: toward… Continue reading

Today’s Readings This past week I spent a few days with seminary classmates as we celebrated twenty-five years of priesthood. Looking back, I realized how little any of us knew on the day of our ordination about where the Lord would lead us. Perhaps that is one lesson of priesthood—and of the Christian life. It… Continue reading

Today’s Readings Ebenezer Scrooge famously says, “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” The line gives us another reason to dislike Scrooge. His attitude is heartless and inhuman. Sadly, though, his indifference is still alive in our culture. We can easily ignore those on the peripheries—the poor,… Continue reading

Today’s Readings Today’s Gospel is so familiar that we can forget how frightening the situation really was. It was dark, the wind was strong, and the apostles were struggling against the waves. Their fear was real. Yet in the middle of the storm, Jesus comes to them saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not… Continue reading

Today’s Readings On the Feast of the Transfiguration, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where they witness His glory and see Him speaking with Moses and Elijah. It is an extraordinary moment, but it is not simply meant to amaze them. Jesus is preparing them for what lies ahead. Soon they… Continue reading

Today’s Readings During my recent trips to Chicago and Missouri, I noticed signs everywhere pointing to tornado shelters. We rarely think about tornadoes here in southeastern Massachusetts, but they are a fact of life in the Midwest. I was surprised to learn that a tornado forms from the ground up, not from the clouds down.… Continue reading

Today’s Readings Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to pray. In today’s Gospel, He goes up the mountain alone. That simple detail offers an important lesson for our own spiritual lives. This is not Jesus praying in the synagogue or with others. It is personal, quiet time with His Father. He intentionally steps away from… Continue reading