Posts by Fr. Rich (Page 10)

In today’s Gospel: who is the bad guy and who is the good guy? The Pharisee who didn’t go away justified was the one who knew the scriptures and lived them to the letter. They taught them to others. They defended the faith and when their country was overthrown they were martyred for that faith. The publican was the sinner who took resources away from the average person through over taxing, and he walked away justified. Why? That’s the question…

Be persistent in prayer is what Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel. But in today’s society, persistence isn’t what we do. We want answers immediately. Such as, I said a prayer this morning and by noon, nothing happened. I guess God isn’t listening! What are we looking for? What kind of answer do we expect? Prayer is our means of creating a relationship with God. In our relationship, our lives are being transformed. We go from wanting something that we…

This message comes as we are trying to end the Covid-19 isolation – our own leper experience of being isolated from society. But as we come back from all this, have we taken the time to show our appreciation? For some it may have been food supplies, some stimulus checks, others live streaming Masses, and still others a phone call simply to check if all is okay. Have we expressed our thanks for these and other things provided us? In…

“Supersize that meal” is what we say at our favorite fast food place. That means more fries and a larger soda. But to Supersize our faith is not the same as the Apostles in today’s Gospel find out. Faith is not about size or quantity as Jesus points out when He says, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can tell that tree to be uprooted and replanted in the sea. And it would obey you.”…

RESPECT LIFE WEEKEND is this weekend. Life is a precious gift from God. We are to live it fully, nurture it daily, and protect it always. Look, through the eyes of faith, at life all around you. See a women carrying her unborn child, a new life so precious. See a disabled person, maybe struggling to move about, but grateful to be alive. See an elderly person and see someone with great wisdom through their life experiences. See that everyday…

Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you.” (Mark 14:7) Who are the poor? Who is the Lazarus at our door? Those who sleep in the streets or in their cars? Those who eat at soup kitchens or get food at Church pantries? Those just under the poverty level? We always ask why are they poor and can’t they better themselves. Mother Theresa once said, “If you judge people, you don’t have time to love them.” We are…

In today’s Gospel, the steward is facing a crisis, mostly due to his dishonesty. But knowing the ways of the world, he solves his problems in such a way that everyone benefits, including himself. We all have problems and crisis in our lives. In the last couple of years, we all experienced the pandemic. Everything around us closed, churches, stores, businesses and even schools. We were definitely in a crisis. But we survived with masks, vaccines, social distancing, and support…

In today’s Gospel, we see the experience of a family suffering through the loss of one child, the resentment of another and the broken heart of the father. The interesting theme throughout this story is that the father had never given up hope. Forgiveness bring home the one son. A calm, humble, and loving spirit is offered to the other son. In the midst of life’s experiences, do we argue our way out of things? Do we resent the situation…

Labor Day should make us mindful of our interconnectedness; we need one another in order to survive. Consider how we are each called to contribute as well as how we benefit from the labor of others. Take that simple can of corn you bought at the market has thousands of people standing behind it: from those who stock the shelves to the truckers who transport the product; from the regional warehouse workers to the rail operators who supply the warehouse;…

The end of the summer is here. Next week we will celebrate Labor Day, the beginning of school, and the start of our ‘regular’ routines that we have become accustomed to. Some view this sadly because the vacations are over and we’re going back to the old humdrum routines of the past. But maybe this year we can look at the Fall season as a challenge to greater things. The pandemic for the most part if over. Old ways have…

Back in seminary days, I read a small booklet that said that there is more religion and life decisions spoken about at the kitchen table. Did you ever wonder why there are so many social events that serve food here in the parish? Today we have our Annual Parish Picnic. And yes, there will be a variety of foods being served. But the important things about this gathering isn’t the food or who wins the games or what are the…

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all who helped with the planning, running, opening and closing of this year’s Aannual Bazaar. As you know I was a bit under the weather and could not attend, but from what I saw on facebook and other pictures, it looks like everyone had a good time. Friday’s rain may have kept the crowds away, but did not dampen the spirits of our workers. This was a restructuring year and hopefully when we…