Blog of the Archdiocese of Washington
As I have commented before, all the resurrection stories depict the Apostles and other disciples on a “journey” of sorts to understand the resurrection. A completely new reality was breaking into their world and challenging their understanding. Far from depicting the disciples as credulous, the texts describe them as shocked, troubled, and even quite dubious. …
Continue reading “Mary Magdalene’s Journey out of Fear to Easter Faith”
One of the most remarkable aspects of the crucifixion of Jesus is the humble reserve he displayed. As God, he had the power to end his suffering and humiliation in an instant. He had already reminded Peter, Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal …
Continuing to look at some of the text from the Passion according to St. Matthew, we come to the trial of Jesus before Caiaphas the high priest. Having heard false and conflicting testimony from various witnesses, Caiaphas turns to Jesus, and here is where we pick up the text: The high priest rose and addressed …
Continue reading “What Does Jesus Mean When He Says He is Coming on the Clouds?”
The Passion, which we read in today’s liturgy, is too long to comment on in detail. We are only able to take a portion and examine it. It may be of some value to examine the “middle range” of problems and personalities involved. The usual villains such as the Temple leaders, Judas, and the recruited …
Continue reading “See What the End Shall Be – A Homily for Palm Sunday”
Every ancient prayer manual and guide to spirituality until about fifty years ago had at least one large section devoted to what was known as Pugna Spiritualis (spiritual battle or spiritual warfare). In more recent decades, many spiritual books have downplayed or completely deleted references to spiritual battle or spiritual warfare. Sadly, many modern approaches …
Continue reading “A Late Lenten Meditation on the Reality of Spiritual Warfare”
Most of us have very sentimental notions about angels in general, and especially our Guardian Angels. And yet the Bible depicts then as powerful, fierce, and almost warlike. They are holy and good, but their glory overwhelms. In Scripture, almost any time someone encounters an angel, the person becomes filled with fear and very disconcerted. …
Continue reading “A Guardian Angel Like You’ve Never Seen! As seen on T.V.”
The Gospel today says that Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the desert. Hebrews 4:15 also affirms: For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. How exactly a divine person, with a sinless …
Continue reading “Tackle Tempation or Risk Ruination. A Sermon for the 1st Sunday of Lent”
It is late in the evening on the east coast of the United States: the 23rd hour of the day we call February 25th. But where my Uncle, Fr. George Pope, lives (he is a priest in Bangladesh), not only is it already February 26th, but it has been so for some time. It is 9:00 …