The First Words Spoken by Jesus
Perhaps Mary and Joseph wondered what Jesus’ first words would be. One might expect the Hebrew words equivalent to “mama” and “dada.” Either word would have made his parents proud. The word for “father” (abba) would have deep meaning, since it would reflect divine sonship—although that would take maturity, a lot or growing for Jesus […]
My Early Impression of Santa Claus
Unlike TV shows and Christmas commercials, the presents brought by Santa to my house were never wrapped with colorful paper and ribbon. Gifts came in brown grocery bags, and somehow my parents knew to which child the bag belonged. One Christmas I noticed a beautifully wrapped gift. It was really big! Had I lain down […]
Good Endings
Don’t you love stories, novels, movies, TV shows that have good endings? There’s something satisfying when the main character achieves his goal, when the reader or viewer puts down the book or turns off the program feeling his own life has been made better for the experience. Time has a way of flying by in […]
Is Materialism Humbug?
At this time of year I hear people decrying materialism, as if shopping for gifts is beneath our better selves. What’s the matter with matter (like decorations, toys, trees)? It’s energy! It’s interconnectedness! Nothing is only material; no gift or decoration is only material. There’s an energizing force that unites everything and everyone. And the […]
Creation and Incarnation, One Process
Creation and the Incarnation of Jesus Christ seem like two separate events, but they form one process of God’s self-giving and self-expression. The process begins with “Let there be light!” The moment of the Big Bang starts the whole universe, which is full of Christ. The “body” of the universe is the Body of Christ. […]
The First Sunday of Advent
The First Sunday of Advent could also be called New Year’s Day. It’s the start of another Church Year, so I guess I can wish you a “Happy New Year!” I feel the hymns of Advent are so special; however, all hymns of all seasons affirm the ground our faith and help us in our […]
Welcome Back, Saint Matthew!
On the holy-go-round of lectionary readings, we will soon be back in Year A, the year of Matthew. Because Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, his writing has many references to the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). Throughout Advent we will see that Jesus Christ is the longed-for Messiah and the fulfillment of the Law. Perhaps you’ll […]
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
One of Jesus’ closest followers relates the account. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you; then you are to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, yes, even to the ends of the earth” (Acts. 1:8). This we believed with our whole being. We decided to return to […]
The Institution of the Holy Eucharist
We gathered in the spacious and furnished Upper Room that Peter and John found just as the Master directed them. The smell of roasted lamb increased the hunger of the disciples and a few other invited guests. Earlier I heard my Son say, “I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I […]
The Transfiguration
Mary, the mother of Jesus relates the event: John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, rushed to my home. How I enjoyed seeing John, the youngest follower of my Son. Full of life and enthusiasm, ready in a moment to do whatever Jesus suggested, he came breathless and excited. “Mary, you’ll never imagine what Peter, James, […]