Mary Joshi

My relationship with the Church has been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride these past few years. My sense of hope has been at war with the disappointment and anger I have felt over some of the institutional church’s response to modern issues. While it has called its own members to a renewed sense of sinfulness and mercy, it seemed to have shown little mercy on issues of divorce, gender identity and equality, while avoiding responsibility in dealing with ...

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.”  Ps 27:14

It was difficult to focus on my work this week, as my attention was constantly being drawn to the horrific images of war that were once again inundating every news outlet.  I was grateful that my mother had not lived to see this latest assault in Europe.  Even in her final years with Alzheimer’s, she retained disturbing memories of Hitler’s tanks and soldiers ...

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful…it hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Today’s gospel from Luke follows Jesus as he begins his public ministry.  His reputation as a teacher of great insight is spreading and he is “praised by everyone.”   At first, when Jesus returns to Nazareth and teaches in the synagogue in which he grew up, “all ...

“The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your might.
Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.” (Deut 6:4-6)

Did you know that these words and their various translations, are deemed so important that they are an invocation to prayer for three major religions that claim Abraham as their father of faith: Judaism, Christianity ...

A few weeks ago, I ran into a student I had taught in Middle School over 40 years ago. He related how he was so grateful for the conversations we had shared, and that he wanted me to know that he had “taken my advice,” and had gone into a field of study he has now come to love. I was ashamed to realize that I had only vague memories of the student and had no recollection of any words ...

“Faith is to believe what you do not see;
The reward of faith is to see what you believe.”
St. Augustine

Throughout our lives, we encounter experiences that knock our sense of balance off kilter and we discover that what we believed to be unchangeable is now somewhat unstable. When unexpected loss, trauma or darkness envelops us, or those we love, we sometimes question our deepest beliefs in God and in ourselves. Although varied reasons exist, few of us have managed to ...

The Book of Job is one of the most interesting books in the Old Testament.  Most scholars agree that the person of Job didn’t exist but that he represents every person who has ever suffered undeserved hardship.  Job had everything: wealth, health and a large family to ensure his future legacy.  He assumed his life was good because God had rewarded him for being loyal and for having lived a good and righteous life. (Satan argues that Job is only ...

The recent increase in COVID restrictions has added a whole new level of stress to an already stressful time of year for many. News that a vaccine may be available in the “near future” does little to alleviate the frustration of not being able to be with family and friends, or to ease the worries of financial insecurities. Our ability to be compassionate and tolerant with one another is being stretched to its limits.

I found unexpected comfort in today’s readings ...

“When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?”

Today’s “Parable of the Landlord and the Tenant” describes a landlord who leases his healthy vineyard to tenants. The tenants abuse the vineyard and anyone whom the landlord sends to remind them of their responsibilities.  It is easy to interpret the parable only as Jesus’ incrimination of the Pharisees or those who tried to extinguish his message.  But as Sr. Mary McGlone of Celebration explains, “Parables aren’t puzzles to be understood, but calls to action crafted to ...

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.”

Pat Marrin, of NCR’s “Pencil Preaching” compares last week’s feast of the Ascension to a graduation. Jesus is preparing his disciples for a new and transformed way to live out their understanding of Jesus and his mission. I can imagine Jesus delivering a rousing, convocation speech to the disciples, “You’re ...