Rich Thoughts

Thank goodness for Martin of Tours -- the first person whom the Western Church decided was holy enough to venerate even though he wasn't martyred! Also, some ideas lifted word-for-word from podcast #313. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

In celebrating the first Christian church built in the world, we reflect on questions about what makes us designate certain places, items, actions, and people as "holy." (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Luke 16:1-8 is challenging to interpret. I'm going with Ron Roberson, CSP's interpretation: "God doesn't love you because you are good; you are good because God loves you." (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The fantastic message of Luke 15: God is crazily in love with you. And with God, there is mercy! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

A challenge from Philippians and Luke to embrace the gift or poverty. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Our Scriptures -- and our saint of the day (Charles Borromeo) -- again invite us to consider the virtue of humility! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Everything in the liturgical calendar (first reading, psalm, gospel reading, and saint of the day) comes together to call us to examine the virtue of humility. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Jesus places the command to love our neighbor on the same plane as loving God and loving ourselves. We offer some damning questions about if we're truly loving our neighbors today! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

A special Mass for the canonization cause for the founder of the Paulist Fathers, Servant of God Isaac Thomas Hecker, C. S. P., on the 165th anniversary of his ordination. Isaac Hecker, pray for us! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

As Ephesians extends a warm welcome to Greeks coming into the Christian community founded by Jews, we hear a welcome and a challenge: a welcome to us, and a challenge to be as welcoming to those who come after us. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

What exactly does Jesus mean when he says, "Pay unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and pay unto God what is God's"? I'm not sure, but we can infer a lot about how the Church should interact with the state! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Both Galatians 4:22-5:1 and Luke 11:29-32 are a bit difficult for us to understand, because of the changes in cultural context. After some explanation, we talk about Paul's theme in Galatians: freedom in Christ. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Combining a silly movie with an uplifting prophecy and a sobering gospel. Life is a banquet! (Holy Trinity Parish, Jefferson City, TN)

A memorial for one of the Paulists' three new patron saints with feast days in October. John Henry Newman is an excellent patron for us, and not just because of campus ministry! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

An invitation to find time for contemplation -- the "sacred pause" -- in our routines. Our Lady is a great model! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The majority of Americans believe in angels, but do you believe that you have a guardian angel? Some reflections… (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Looking to the insights of a very anti-religious author -- Voltaire -- to give examples of the wisdom of Job! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

When we compare ourselves with others, it often leads to sin -- gossiping, speaking badly of others, being judgmental. How can we confront the temptation? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 provide most of the lyrics to the folk rock song "Turn, Turn, Turn" -- a song which none of our undergraduate students knew, I later discovered! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

"Vanity of vanities!" "There is nothing new under the sun." How can these thoughts from Ecclesiastes / Qoheleth be considered wisdom inspired by God? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)