Today’s Reading from the Prophet Isaiah uses nature as a means of teaching us that God’s Word is the true sustenance of human life. The Prayer Jesus taught his disciples relays the same message, that our daily bread is the holiness of God, the kingdom of God, the will of Read more…
Nature has always been a place of graced encounter with the Creator. The human person, as one created by God, is also the only part of creation upon whom God bestows his own image and likeness. Thus it follows that a truly graced place of encounter with God is precisely Read more…
Dear Friends, I pray your Lenten journey ‘back to God’ has begun well. Let us pray for one another that this may be a fruitful Lenten exercise for all of God’s people. Today’s readings make clear that our practices of penance are meant to lead us to true conversion. In Read more…
I wrote this article over two weeks ago for our NW Catholic magazine. Though Easter greetings are a bit premature, the message is timely. Hang in there, everyone, and keep the faith! +pde Be Stouthearted – Wait On The Lord This column is written on the same day I Read more…
Once again, today we are encouraged by the Prophet Hosea to return to the Lord. God desires love, not burnt offerings. God wants us to seek him above all else. The Psalm (51) today reminds us that God desires mercy, not sacrifice. Jesus through his passion and death on the Read more…
In Today’s Gospel (Mark 10: 28-31), Peter begins a conversation with Jesus, saying: “We have given up everything to follow you.” If Jesus had not interrupted Peter, one wonders where this thought was leading … Perhaps once again, Jesus saves Peter from putting his foot in his mouth. Regardless, as Read more…
As we approach this Lenten season, we are reminded once again to seek the LORD in all things. It is a time to put Jesus squarely at the center of life – above every other thing. Since the Beatitudes represent a summary of Jesus’ person and teaching, perhaps a Lenten Read more…
For the past several months, the bishops of Alaska have been discussing how we might best exercise our role as teachers. There are a growing number of social issues today that need to be addressed from a faith perspective, and yet require more than a ‘sound byte’ to adequately outline Read more…
Over the years, I have noticed that the crowds that attend Mass on Ash Wednesday rival any other day of the year, including Easter and Christmas. This tells us there is something attractive about being called to renew our relationship with God, about the penitential nature of the day and Read more…
[laread_first_letter]O[/laread_first_letter]n this 2ND Sunday of Lent, we hear Scriptural accounts of powerful experiences of God. Abram hears God directing him to leave his homeland behind to discover a new land which God will show him. He hears of God’s promise of blessing, and Abram followed the direction of God. Peter, Read more…