Rich Thoughts

What does ordinary bread mean to us today? How does it sustain us? How does Jesu Christ sustain us? How does the Eucharist sustain us? Comments on Acts 8:26-40, too. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Woohoo! Episode #400! The people ask Jesus for a sign (John 6:30), even though he's just multiplied the loaves (6:11-13) and walked on water (6:19). Some thoughts on sacramental theology. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

An invitation to pray with the entirety of the "Bread of Life" discourse (John 6:22-69) this week. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

One of the most-often quote passages of Scripture -- John 3:16ff. Let's hear it as an invitation, not a condemnation! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Catherine of Siena: great mystic and politically active, too! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Entering into Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. Was does it mean to be "born again"? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

So much to celebrate here, at one of the first parishes in the world named for one of the men who was canonized today! (SAINT John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

With a congregation of three people, we have an informal conversation about John 21 and priorities in our own lives. (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The best -- and worst -- of Anglican theology about the resurrection, death, and eternal life. (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Even Mary Magdalene, "the apostle to the apostles," failed to recognize the risen Christ when she first saw him. Let that be reassurance to us as we continue to seek the Lord! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

In Matthew's gospel, what do the earthquakes on Good Friday and Easter Sunday signify? It's a new era, and we all have ground-breaking work to do! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

A reflection on life after a very different concept of 'death,' and tying it in to our job as disciples. (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Mary of Bethany's lavish washing of Jesus' feet with perfume is an indication of the love we must lavish on one another. For God lavishes even greater love on each one of us! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

What sets Matthew's account of the Passion apart from the other gospels? We need to read between the lines -- the lines of 21:11 and 26:14! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Two readings about women accused of committing adultery (Daniel 13:1-62 and John 8:1-11), joined by a prayer of trust in God. (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

A choice of life and death: the gravity of John's story of the raising of Lazarus (11:1-45). This is a challenging passage, in more ways than one! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Explaining the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' position on immigration legislation reform and immigration enforcement policies. (Outside of Knoxville City-County Building, Knoxville, TN)

What are these readings -- Isaiah 49:8-15 and John 5:17-30 -- doing in Lent? Don't they seem more appropriate to Advent? An invitation to grow! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The story of the man born blind (John 9), as proclaimed and explored at a Mass by candlelight! How are you spiritually blind? How does the Holy Spirit call you to new sight? (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

If we're going to disobey the precepts of the Old Testament, we need to have a very good reason! (Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)