The Solid Foundation
If you have ever watched a house being built, you know that the first order of business, after the hole is dug, is to set the foundation. In our part of the country, that foundation is usually a course of bricks set one on top of the other to create [...]
Asking With The Wisdom of Solomon
You may remember the story from your childhood about Aladdin and the magic lamp. By rubbing the lamp, Aladdin summons the genie, who grants him three wishes. In our reading from the Old Testament this weekend, we hear the story of Solomon, who is preparing to succeed his father, David, [...]
Grandpa Deacon
This Sunday, I will baptize my first grandson, Gus (technically it is Guthrie David). I was blessed to baptize my youngest granddaughter, Emmie, on December 6, 2015, the day after I was ordained a deacon. Anne and I have doubled our grandchild population over these past few weeks. My daughter, [...]
Out Of Order
I went to use the copy machine at work the other day, and someone had posted a large sign saying that the machine was out of order and that service had been called. Most of us have had the experience of expecting some convenience of our modern age to work [...]
Upon This Rock
This weekend, we celebrate the feast of our patron, St. Peter. This is a great time for us, as a parish, to celebrate Peter, the rock, upon which Jesus built the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church! Sometimes when reading scripture, I wonder if Jesus could have used a personal [...]
Going Home
I recently had my first experience of being called to the bedside of a dying person. It was a sunny Saturday morning, and I had just enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with my children and grandchildren. Since it was Mother’s Day weekend, I was off to do some shopping for Anne [...]
It Is I. Do Not Be Afraid.
Last Saturday began as an ordinary day for me. I arose early, said my morning prayers and then spent a few minutes praying with the scripture of the day. It was the story from John’s gospel where Jesus walks across the sea to meet his disciples in the boat. They [...]
Walking The Road To Emmaus
Several years ago, I had the unique opportunity to attend an evening talk given by Father Raniero Cantalamessa, a Capuchin priest from Italy. In addition to authoring several outstanding books, Father Cantalamessa is the official preacher to the papal household. This means that he preaches to the Holy Father and [...]
Raising Our Lazarus
The call came in the middle of an otherwise ordinary day. Sandy picked up the phone. The caller was clearly upset and wanted to make herself understood. “Are you Mrs. Henderson?” Sandy tried to understand what was being said as she was told that her husband of 32 years had [...]
The Transfiguration Experience
One of the great blessings in my week is the occasional opportunity to assist at daily Mass at St. Peter’s. These rare opportunities typically occur on holidays, such as the most recent occasion of President’s Day. I arrived at Church, took some time in prayer and then went to the [...]