FatherLiam 
We’re so used to our image of John the Baptist hanging out in the desert, that something that would have been obvious and shocking to his contemporaries slips right past us: John isn’t supposed to be in the desert! He is the son of Zechariah the priest. And so, as a member of the priestly … Read more
That, the name of today’s Solemnity as we come to the final week of the Liturgical Year, certainly sounds as triumphant as it can get. We are proclaiming that Jesus was, is and always will be the Ultimate Ruler of All—all people, all creation, all planets, all galaxies—the entire Cosmos. Jesus Christ, we profess, is … Read more
‘Well, of course I am’, many of us would respond. I’m baptized. I go to church. I give in the collection. I try not to sin. That’s all good. (And thank you for your contribution!) But the question remains: Am I a disciple of Jesus? A student, a learner, a follower? You see, at the end of the gospel passage … Read more
Every time the Sunday Scriptures deal with the topic of marriage, I automatically recall one of my favorite passages from Greg Boyle’s book Tattoos on the Heart. Greg writes about a trip he took with his mother to the hospital to visit his dad. Greg’s mom has brought along a pillow in a flowery case for … Read more
Dear Friends, I have been trying really hard not to get caught up in Facebook arguments. But the other day I couldn’t help myself. (Surprise?!) Someone had posted a favorable review of Taylor Swift, calling her Christian-like for her many acts of generosity, including the money she donates to food banks at every town where … Read more
I’m sitting here in my apartment in Assisi reading the Scriptures for this coming Sunday. As I read James explaining that all our jealousies and selfish ambitions and conflicts and wars come from our out-of-order passions. We all know that’s true. And election season makes it abundantly clear. Crazed unruly passions seem to dominate. It’s … Read more
Uh oh. In today’s gospel, Jesus says his followers must “Take up their cross.” These words always make me nervous—not because they are challenging but because of how often they have been misused to guide people into ways of thinking and acting that have nothing to do with the message of Jesus. Telling someone their cancer is … Read more
Now there’s a word. It’s the Greek word Jesus uses in Mark’s gospel when healing the deaf man. It means be opened! Jesus heals the deaf man. He liberates him from his impediment so that he can hear clearly and so act according to what he hears. In doing so, Jesus shows what God desires for … Read more
So, what are the “things that come out from within you”? That’s what Jesus asks this week in Mark’s gospel. As the religious leaders challenge Jesus and his followers for not following the rules, Jesus challenges the self-proclaimed “religious” folk to look within. Following the rules can be ok, Jesus teaches, but it can also … Read more
If we take Eternity to mean not Infinite Temporal Duration but timelessness, then Eternal Life belongs to those who live in the Present.” Ludwig Wittgenstein Ah, to live in the Present! It seems we’re always running around doing lots of things, but never really present in the moment. We get things done, mark them off our list, and … Read more
Dear Friends, In a little over a week, I’ll be heading to Italy to participate in a Revolution. I’m very excited to be a part of such a radical movement! Our plans: nothing less than to change the world! Say what? Well, as many of you know, I head to Assisi, Italy at the end … Read more
“The celebration of the Eucharist is incomplete so long as there is hunger in our world.” So said the holy and prophetic Pedro Arrupe, SJ way back in 1976 at the Eucharistic Congress held right here in Philadelphia. His words still stand as a powerful reminder of the social dimension of the Gospel. “We cannot … Read more
Ok, I’m dating myself with lyrics to a song from the Seventies, but that Five Man Electrical Band hit always comes to mind when I talk about John’s Gospel. You see, John is often referred to as the Gospel of Signs. Instead of using the word “miracle,” John speaks of “signs” that Jesus performed. These … Read more
“But what good are these?” So says Andrew to Jesus, explaining that there is a boy with five barley loaves and two fish. “But what good are these for so many?” Don’t we all feel like that sometimes? We can look at our personal challenges, we can thing about situations confronting our family, we can … Read more
Dear Friends, Quick: what is the purpose of Christianity? If you had to write a Mission Statement for Christianity in as few words as possible, what would you write? What’s the plan? Well, as we begin to read Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Paul states succinctly what he calls God’s “plan for the fullness of … Read more
I was cleaning out some old desk drawers last week, in a not completely successful attempt to feel more organized. But the project ended up being a blessing: amid papers and notes and holy cards and lots of other stuff, I discovered an old, tattered booklet that had been gifted to me way back in … Read more
Dear Friends, I have to admit: I get the disciples’ reaction to the storm at sea. “Why are you afraid?” Jesus asks. I want to answer, “Um. Gee. Maybe because the boat is taking on water and we’re being knocked all over the place and could go overboard or sink at any moment.” I think … Read more
Are you a patient person? Are you patient with yourself, with others, with the world? Or do you like things done—and done perfectly—lickety-split? Do you like immediate results? And only the best results? I admit I can be impatient—with myself, with others, ok, let me just admit it: with the whole world, and, yes, even with … Read more
Yikes! Jesus doesn’t seem to be a very “family values” type guy in today’s gospel. It seems as if he is snubbing his mother and his brothers and sisters. Add this to the time that Jesus remarked that no one could come to him without hating father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters and it … Read more
It’s one of my favorite memories from my days at Mother of Mercy House: We were celebrating Thanksgiving Day Mass in our tiny chapel. An elderly man peeked in our window, saw us praying and decided to come in and join us. It was obvious that he wasn’t Catholic as he didn’t know the responses but … Read more