Columns Archive

The sin of anti-Semitism resurfaces Default Thumbnail
Perspective

The sin of anti-Semitism resurfaces

The world reacted with horror and outrage earlier this year when a town in Poland marked Good Friday with a ritual beating of a Judas effigy. The effigy was crafted […]

Self-sufficiency should not blind us to others’ needs Default Thumbnail
The Sunday Gospel

Self-sufficiency should not blind us to others’ needs

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 16:19-31 The Book of Amos provides this weekend’s first reading. The book itself states that it was written during the reign of King Uzziah […]

Cardinal Etchegaray, Henri de Lubac and Vatican II Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Cardinal Etchegaray, Henri de Lubac and Vatican II

Last week, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray passed away. Perhaps his was not a household name, but this very decent man made a substantive contribution to the life of the Church, serving […]

Being resourceful: I can read! I can pray! Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Being resourceful: I can read! I can pray!

“We ate our honey. We ate a lot. Now we have no honey in our honey pot.” With those 17 words, averaging just three letters in length, Jan and Stan […]

Contradictory suicide messaging Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Contradictory suicide messaging

In July 2014, police found the body of 18-year-old Conrad Roy inside his truck in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, having died from carbon monoxide poisoning. As the case unfolded, it became apparent […]

God asks that we give ourselves to Him rather than to money Default Thumbnail
The Sunday Gospel

God asks that we give ourselves to Him rather than to money

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 16:1-13 The first reading for this weekend is from the Book of Amos. This prophet, regarded as one of the Minor Prophets, was from […]

Call it a crisis Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Call it a crisis

My next few columns will cover the outcomes of the Vatican’s second dialogue on “The Energy Transition and Care of Our Common Home.” In this essay, I will first pause […]

The emigrant’s brave farewell Default Thumbnail
Perspective

The emigrant’s brave farewell

We talk a great deal in this country about immigration, too often in language that is hostile or fearful. What we don’t talk about is emigration, the act of leaving […]

Being a fearless son Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Being a fearless son

Through our own sacramental life, beginning with baptism and finding its perfection in the Eucharist, the Father speaks the very same words over us. In baptism, we become adopted sons […]

God shows abundant mercy to His people Default Thumbnail
The Sunday Gospel

God shows abundant mercy to His people

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 15:1-32 This weekend’s first reading is from the Book of Exodus. This book roughly chronicles the passage of the Hebrew people from Egypt, where […]

Searching for silver linings: grace after the storm Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Searching for silver linings: grace after the storm

Business was good. So good, in fact, that the family company had become one of the largest breweries in New England, producing 300,000 barrels a year and supporting two generations […]

Still the silent killer Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Still the silent killer

I recently was asked to be a guest on the “Doctor, Doctor” show that airs on Redeemer Radio at 1 p.m. Fridays and again at 11 a.m. Saturdays. The topic […]