Our first reading tonight gives not only historical perspective for this night, but reminds us specifically of the history of salvation; the saving work of God on behalf of his people. The Book of Exodus (12:1-8, 11-14) recalls how God heard the cry of the people Israel, held captive as Read more
Today, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Fatih released a document entitled Placuit Deo, On Certain Aspects of Christian Salvation. The focus is on the gift of Salvation that is ours through Jesus Christ. Likewise, the document draws attention to some of the errors in today’s concept of the Read more
On this First Sunday of Lent, our readings today take us from the Garden of Eden to the Desert. As the season of Lent always does, we are reminded today of the reality of sin and its consequences. In our first reading today, Genesis tells us that in the beginning Read more
Even at his birth, the life of Christ is threatened. The truth is not always welcome. The Kingdom of God does threaten worldly kingdoms, but not by force of arms, but with the power of love; not by oppression, but with freedom. Today’s Feast of the Holy Innocents illustrates the Read more
Yesterday, a nice group of people gathered at the Miles Land Ranch southwest of Casper for the second annual Rural Life Mass and celebration. I’m very grateful to the three ranch families that sponsored this year’s gathering; Jim & Peggy Price, Randy & Vernita Marton, and Roy & Kathleen Jarrard. They Read more
Several years ago, a group of us were given permission to hunt on a rather large ranch, most of which was high mountain country, and served as summer grazing for cattle. The ranchers had rounded up their cattle and moved them to lower pasture for the winter, but came up Read more
Who does not know the experience of fear? It is a fundamental emotion which plays an appropriate role in the preservation of life. Fear alerts all of our senses to potential, perceived or genuine threats, allowing the individual to perform at a high level for the preservation of one’s own life or the Read more
My day has been filled with many fond memories, and my heart is filled with much gratitude. Twenty Four years ago today, I was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Archbishop O’Meara, Archbishop of Indianapolis, died in January, 1992, and we were still without an archbishop. Bishop Gettelfinger, a Read more
Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is celebrated on the Friday after the Octave of the feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. The origins of today’s great celebration go back at least as far as 1670, when the Read more
Very soon after Mary gave her consent to God to become the Mother of his Son, Jesus, she begins her missionary life as his first disciple, and visits her cousin, Elizabeth. Bringing Christ to others is the core of the feast we celebrate today, the Visitation. Elizabeth’s response to the visit Read more