This I command you: love one another. (John 15: 17) A few weeks ago, a wave of pain swept over me at reported comments by a leader about immigrants from the global south. You’d think by now I would be desensitized to political rhetoric, but this time, he hit a nerve....
There is no word or sound, no voice is heard, yet their message reaches to all the ends of the world. (Psalm 19: 4) In my ministry of teaching young immigrant children the language of this country, I have learned that words are not always necessary, especially in the...
I am the vine, you are the branches. (John 15: 5) I am writing this on February 2, the congregational feast day of the C.PP.S. Sisters of O’Fallon, Mo., so my reflections on today’s readings are highly influenced by this fact. The first reading describes the Church...
Peace I leave with you. (John 14: 27) Every now and then, a person will greet me with “Shalom.” That is a loaded word, loaded with grace. It’s a lot more than the peace sign of the 1960’s. Jesus, about to pour out his Blood on the cross, wishes everything good for his...
Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him. (John 14: 21) It is easy to say the words, “I love you” to someone. Words are a dime a dozen. It is much harder to prove it by one’s actions. If you love someone, you want to...
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. (John 15: 5) We have today what may be the most vivid image for those of us living in the 21st century. When Jesus talks about the...
