The Justifying Power of Mercy
The Justifying Power of Mercy Some years ago, I read about this incident at a middle school: a boy, who was about ten years old, was suspected of stealing. One day, at the end of class, his teacher called him...
Tagged: Mercy
Can Prayer Empty Hell?
Pope Francis, in a recent interview, said that “I like to think hell is empty; I hope it is.” There will no doubt be a lot of discussion about this, but I would like to add my viewpoint on the...
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
We spend most of our lives hiding behind our true selves. It’s pitiful, honestly. I’m nearly 50 years old and I still spend much of my time worried about what others will think. Does it really matter? A few years...
Mercy is not a “Get out of Jail Free” Card
A reflection on the readings of September 17, 2023 — the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time. In a reflection I recently read on today’s Gospel, the author did some math to try to put the two debts we just heard...
Jesus and the Canaanite Woman: Compassion Without Borders
A Reflection on the Readings for August 20, 2023 — The 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time In today’s Gospel reading, we find Jesus as far away from Jerusalem as he’s ever been, at least when you look to his travels...
Eucharistic Revival, Divine Mercy, and Juneteenth
The National Eucharistic Revival launched June 19, 2022 on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi, began as a three-year initiative with a mission to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship...
Why we should err on the side of mercy
A few years ago, a family friend went to confession for the first time in over three decades. She was an otherwise practicing Catholic, but had a great fear of returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. My mom was still...
When the Church Refuses God’s Love
In late July 2021, I attended Mass at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Santa Clara, California, with my teenage family members. I literally and figuratively grew up at that church as my mom worked as a secretary there for...
Got Mercy?
A reflection on the readings for the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy), April 16, 2023. This homily was originally posted on Ite Missa Est, April 23, 2017. There are three million fewer people calling themselves Catholic today...
Sins Like Scarlet
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18) There is a legendary story,...
Any bit of contrition
Always lost for words, I never knew what to say to God as I tried to focus my attention on him at Sunday Mass. I admit that I did not always find Mass interesting. I attended every week mostly out...
Knowing the Father’s Love and Mercy
A reflection on the readings for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 11, 2022. “Filled with compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.” The parables of mercy, three of which we hear today, are meant...
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