Rich Thoughts

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Please, don't call it "Spy Wednesday"! Today, like every day, let us concentrate on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today's readings are Isaiah 50:4-9a and Matthew 26:14-25.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. The woman reverencing Jesus' feet is Mary of Bethany, not Mary Magdalene, the woman mentioned in Matthew 26:7-13 and Mark 14:3-9, nor the woman in Luke 7:36-50. What does Mary of Bethany's example say to us?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Hearing John 8:31-42 as a challenge to us more than as a challenge to others. Also a brief reference to Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. The gospel passage for the 5th Monday of Lent is John 8:1-11, but since we reflected on that at Mass yesterday, I decided to preach on John 11:1-45 today. This is a more confusing story than we often admit!

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. First, visit http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031713-fifth-sunday-lent.cfm to have the Gospel passage handy. Also open http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dBWa_2pJjU, which you'll need after the homily.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Entering into the first full discourse in the Gospel of John (John 5:17-30), and making brief mention of the extraordinary election of Pope Francis earlier in the day.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. What does this third "sign" in the Gospel of John (John 5:1-18) indicate? How does it influence who we understand Jesus Christ to be? How does it obligate us to treat other members of the body of Christ?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Welcome to the Gospel of John! Who is Jesus Christ to you? How does John 4:43-54 influence your understanding of Jesus Christ? How has your relationship with him changed this Lent?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Both Deuteronomy 4:1-9 and Matthew 5:17-19 emphasize teaching the faith to others. A reflection on how catechesis and evangelization relate to one another in 21st-century America, and how we each must do both.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. A brief reflection on 2 Kings 5:1-15, Psalm 42-43, and Luke 4:24-30. Can we trust in God's healing power, even if it's a simple thing that we're asked to do?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Of parables and fig trees (Luke 13:1-9). We have unlimited opportunities to reform our lives, but we have limited time.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Some challenges to the conventional ideas about prayer, inspired by Jeremiah 18:18-23 and Matthew 20:17-28.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Do not judge; be merciful (Luke 6:36-38). That's even what the blameless Daniel does when speaking of the Babylonian exile (Daniel 9:4-10)!

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Examining the story of Abram, our father in faith (Genesis 12:1-4 and 15:1-12, 17-18). An example of occupying ourselves with heavenly things even in the midst of earthly things (Phil 3:17-4:1, Luke 9:28-36).

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. What is the sign of Jonah? (Luke 11:29-32 refers to Jonah 3:1-10, not Jonah 1:1 - 2:11.) And what does it mean to us today?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Two very challenging Scripture passages (Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 and Matthew 25:31-46), to get us in the right frame of mind for Lent. DON'T FORGET: the main goal of Lent is spiritual growth!

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. In the Book of Joel, God commands the people to sound the trumpet and publicly repent. Jesus tells people not to blow a trumpet when they give alms, and he tells them to fast and pray in secret. What gives?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. The surprising origin of the creation story of Genesis 1. The similarities between Genesis 1 and the pagan myth that our Jewish ancestors plagiarized aren't as important as the differences!

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. The Bible is OUR story, how we understand God works in OUR lives. How are the vocational calls of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-8) and Peter (Luke 5:1-11) like yours?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Paul Miki, his companions, and the communion of saints.