Rich Thoughts

The second homily in a 3-part series on prayer. What does it mean to pray with persistence? WHat does it mean to "pray always"? An invitation to expand our ideas of what "prayer" is! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville)

Talking with the students of St. Joseph School (kindergarten through 5th grade) about St. Ignatius of Antioch. (St. Joseph School, Knoxville, TN)

"There is no partiality with God." (Romans 2:11) Margaret Mary Alacoque, Pope Francis, the Devotion to the Sacred Heart, and Paul's call not to judge. (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Cracking open "The Fifth Gospel" -- St. Paul's Letter to the Romans. We explore his use of the words "slave," "gospel," and "Son of God" in his greeting. (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The first homily in a 3-part series on prayer. The inspiration to preach this comes from Luke 17:11-19; the content is also inspired by Francis de Sales, Barbara Brown Taylor, and Woody Allen. (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Is the fourth chapter of Jonah funny, sad, or both? Jonah's inflexibility may strike us funny, but do we ever act in the same way? (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville)

The Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary invites us to contemplate. Today, we contemplate the first two chapters of Jonah: it's more than a whale of a tale! What do YOU do when God calls you?

What's with the mustard seeds and the mulberry trees? It's all about building a relationship with Jesus Christ based on TRUST. (Holy Ghost Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Jerome said, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." So, let's take a crack at today's first reading, Zechariah 8:1-8! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Our three readings today (Amos 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 6:11-16, and Luke 16:19-31) are a clarion call to care for the poor. We must relate to the poor and vulnerable as individuals and equals! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

More about Ezra: political leader, priest, and prophet… and how we're called to evangelize, too! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Looking at Ezra 6 and Luke 8 with 4th- and 5th-graders. How is the re-building of the Temple relevant to our lives today in East Tennessee? (St. Joseph's School, Knoxville, TN)

"Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing." A reflection on Psalm 126, Ezra 1:1-6, and the life of Padre Pio. (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

No matter how sinful you are, God loves you! Don't believe me? Listen to Jesus or Pope Francis! Many thanks to Ron Roberson, C. S. P. -- couldn't have done this without you! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

A review of Avery Cardinal Dulles' MODELS OF THE CHURCH, in light of 1 Timothy 3:14-16. We are the Church! (Holy Ghost Parish, Knoxville, TN)

1 Timothy 2:1-8, Cyprian and Cornelius, and the call to be a "catholic" "both/and" Christian Church that engages with secular society. (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Luke 15:1-32 is perhaps my favorite passage in the entire Bible. It calls us to experience God's overwhelming mercy AND to share that mercy with others! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Mary lived out the commands of Christian discipleship recorded in Colossians 3:12-17 and Luke 6:27-38, and so did my friends at Holy Name of Mary Parish in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. (Immaculate Conception Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Colossians 1:24 - 2:3 claims that Paul's sufferings helped to bring the mystery of God "to completion." How might our sufferings reveal the mystery of God to others? Peter Claver gives an example. (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Mother Teresa, new Paulist deacon Jimmy Hsu, and the conflict in Syria. "War never again! Never again war!" (Blessed John XXIII Parish and Holy Ghost Parish, Knoxville)