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I had never heard of World Day of Social Justice. Of course, there’s probably a day for everything from pizza and ice cream to wildlife and employee appreciation. In our world where discrimination, war, poverty, hunger, homelessness, and other ills caused by injustice crowd out human decency and good will, there certainly should be attention…

The message is clear on this first Sunday in Lent: Repent! It’s a message that echoes that of Ash Wednesday and gets to the heart of the matter. Mark’s gospel adds “This is the time of fulfillment.” How do you need to be “fulfilled” as a human being, a spouse or family member, a coworker,…

I have started reading Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It has been chosen for a book study for the Sisters of Notre Dame and their associates. Its genre eludes me. Are its chapters stories or essays? Is it a book of poetry, the typeset only…

As you made your Lenten resolutions, remember that Lent is not a self-improvement challenge. Our almsgiving and penance should reach out to the world. Giving up dessert is good, but do we pay a bit extra to buy food produced ecologically? Forgoing media is a great penance, but do we give the time we save…

This is not your year to give up candy and sweets for Lent, because Lent began on Valentine’s Day.  I hope your box of candy had already arrived. But a Valentine heart provides a good theme for Lent. Every week we will look at one type of heart, such as repentant heart, clean heart, humble…

During Lent we abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays. Whether you find this a penance or a pleasure, the practice of abstinence from meat has an impact beyond yourself. Literature on the environment advocates refraining from meat consumption once or twice a week. Sticking with fruits, vegetables, cheese, and nuts minimizes…

Once I dreamt that everyone in the world was climbing a big grassy hill. Smiling and chuckling and waving to one another, Earth’s citizens reached their goal. Although the goal looked like a big sun with a smiling face (like a cartoon), it was alive and welcoming. I knew it represented God welcoming us at…

The mystery of Christ as written by Saint Paul is “Christ in you.” The mystery “hidden throughout the ages” is now being revealed in a new way in our century, although we are only scratching the surface. Saint Bonaventure (13th century) was an early discoverer. More recently Teilhard de Chardin broke up the mystery for…

Carl Sandburg wrote that fog “comes on little cat feet.” The incessant fog of the past week was menacing, not mewing; chilling, not cuddly. It didn’t “move on.” It stayed, stuck in its mysterious depths, its dangerous limitations, dulling yet engaging the imagination. Its hesitant, unobtrusive entrance portended danger and whitening and weakening reality. Vulnerable…

In my experience, it seems that Christian Unity Week, generally scheduled between the Feasts of St. Peter and St. Paul, has lessened in importance. In past years in other parishes there were many events, such as weekly pulpit exchanges, prayers, dinners with other churches. Yet the need for unity remains great in our churches, even…