The political sects of Jesus' day

29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees sent their disciples to Jesus, with the Herodians, saying…

In the Sunday Gospel of the Novus Ordo, we hear the question of the lawfulness of the tax put to Jesus by the Pharisees together with the Herodians. Not unlike today, there is much politicking at work behind the scenes.

Understanding the politic sects among the Jews of Jesus’ day will be of the greatest advantage in grasping what is at stake in this simple question:  Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?  We follow the statement of St. Jerome: “The prime virtue in one who gives an answer is to know that mind of him who asks the question.”

What really happened during the Fatima Miracle of the Sun?

October 13^th, 1917 - Miracle of the Sun, Fatima

Although an hundred thousand individuals, from many diverse faiths and from no faith, spread out even over several miles, saw the “miracle of the sun,” at Fatima in Portugal on 13 October 1917, yet not a single shred of astronomical data indicates that the sun really did “dance” on that day.

What is the believer to make of this fact? How ought we to respond to the doubts of many who claim that, since the sun does not seem to have moved at all from his normal place in the heavens (at least, no scientific observatory noted any such motion), the event must have been nothing more than mass-hysteria?

In 2011, we wrote an article [here] discussing the nature of the Miracle of Fatima. At that time, we indicated that the “miracle of the sun” was indeed a real miracle, but had nothing to do with the sun at all.

Weekday Homilies, October 7-11

Weekday homilies: The Rosary, Rosary Meditations, Hierarchies, The Interior Life, and The Mother of God

Sunday Sermon, October 5 -- How to pray the Rosary well

Homily from last Sunday, October 5 -- How to pray the Rosary well. October is the month of the Rosary.

What the man without a wedding garment was lacking, A reflection on the day of judgment

28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 22:1-14

My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?

The Savior invites all people to the wedding feast of the Lamb, the eternal banquet of heaven. Yet, though salvation is offered to each, yet only few accept the gift and come to the wedding. However, what is most striking about this Sunday’s parable isn’t only that many who are called refuse to be saved, but that even this one who had come was cast out into the darkness.

What is the symbolic meaning of the wedding garment which the man lacked? What is our Savior teaching us about the judgment?

Weekday Homilies - September 30, October 1, October 2

Weekday Homilies, Tuesday (September 30) through Thursday (October 2) -- St Jerome, St Therese, Guardian Angels.

Adult Ed Series on Prayer - How to make an Holy Hour (9-30-14)

Below is the audio and handout of the second lecture for a series on prayer I am giving at Corpus Christi Parish in Great Falls, MT -- Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8pm.

"How to make an Holy Hour"