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When it comes to good storytelling, usually the storyteller tells the story and then gives the meaning only afterwards. In between we’re supposed to try and see how the story connects with our lives. But like last Sunday’s gospel, Luke again breaks storytelling rules by giving us the meaning and then tells us the story. The opening line says that Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. So, ...

Let’s try to get a little bit of context in order to discern what God might be saying to us in these bizarre readings we have today. The first reading comes from the Prophet Habakkuk. This reading reminds me of the Acadian Deportation of 1755 when the British deported the Acadians from this region to places as far away as Louisiana. As you know, if we don’t learn our history, we are doomed to repeat it. In Habakkuk’s time, the ...

Last weekend’s gospel parable, if you recall, was about a dishonest manager who considered three different strategies because he was about to be fired and would have no place to live. He was desperate for someone to show him mercy. The first strategy of blaming someone else was not going to work. The second strategy of playing the “poor-me-I’m-the-real-victim-in-all-of-this” card wasn’t going to work either. So, he opted for the third strategy, which did work. He gave mercy away to ...

In the first reading God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent and to put it high on a pole for everyone to see. The gospel makes reference to this event by saying, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” What are we to make of all this lifting up business and the snake? Personally, when I see a snake, I run in the opposite direction. These scripture ...

I had the privilege twice of visiting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. This church building is the scholars’ and archeologists’ best guess marking where they suspect Jesus was born. I was a little shocked on my first visit, as I entered Manger’s Square, the outside courtyard leading to the church, that the front door to the church wasn’t obvious. In fact, had the tour guide not pointed out where the door was, I don’t think I would have ...