In Sunday’s gospel we hear the Jewish leaders, the Pharisees, and Sadducees, who are trying yet again to catch Jesus at something to prosecute him. While their question, “What is the greatest command?” was meant to be a trick question, Jesus answered the way any good Jew would have answered. It is called Shema law,…
Over 20 years ago when I was first ordained my brother Paul took early retirement and moved his family to Sacramento. I promised him I would visit often, and I did. I went once a week for a few months but then I became too busy, and I reduced my visits to twice a month,…
My heart is heavy as I write this. What a terrible week of news to hear and read! The Hamas horrific attack on Israel has unnerved us all. It was traumatizing to watch the evening news each day and to see the slaughter of innocent children and women. It is so hard to understand why…
As I continue to read this latest book “Learning How to See” by Brian McLaren, I am shocked about how it resonates with me and hits a nerve so readily. As I mentioned in last weekend’s homily (that I only published via email and podcast as I was not here in person—link here), McLaren lists…
Over the past several weeks I have been talking about the St. Simon Retreat being held here on October 27 & 28. I have been asking people if they have ever been on a retreat and if so, what would they say to others who have never been on a retreat. One couple said,…
Last weekend we announced the first annual St. Simon Retreat. It is my hope that this becomes an annual opportunity for all parishioners to deepen their faith in God and grow in relationship with Jesus. Many parishioners after Sunday Masses asked me what exactly this retreat is about, and why they should attend. So, what…
I am reading a book called “AWE: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life.” It is an inspirational read on life and a fresh take on many feelings and things we experience daily. It takes a scientific approach to something that we all feel on a regular basis—awe—and studies…
Last weekend with Labor Day we celebrated the official end of summer here in the United States. When I first moved to California 30+ years ago, schools used to start their first day of school after this weekend but now we start school earlier in August. I’m not sure if this is a good thing…
This weekend we hear from the prophet Jeremiah and his prayer to the Lord that he duped him into doing his work and now he cannot help himself but speak in the Lord’s name – even if it brings him much more grief, “I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak…
Last Sunday I gave a short retreat of two hours to our catechists and ministers. Thank you to all who came and invited ministers from other parishes. I shared the highlights of the two books I plan to use as a guide for us in the year ahead as we re-group after the summer and…