Thursday November 6, 2025
Luke 15:1-10
The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
Sometimes we tend to read over these opening remarks of this beautiful passage. We want to get to the meat and potatoes of what he said and did. But slow down for one second, the writing above may not just be setting the scene of what Our Lord said to the Pharisees and Scribes. Remember what Fr Rickstatter said when I was in seminary “brothers there are no throw away lines in scripture, paper and ink were too expensive to have throw away lines.”
Maybe this is the goodness!! The good news is that finally Tax collectors and sinners were seeking him. These poor miserable souls had been written off. There was no place for them in the kingdom as preached by the Pharisees. This is why our Lord does not spend too much time in synagogues. He is outside the synagogues also seeking the lost sons and daughters of Abraham wherever they could be found. Have you noticed that whenever Our Lord is in the temple he is causing trouble? Anyway I digress … back to the message. Are you seeking the Lord? He is dying and rising to meet you wherever you are. Today make some time for him and say a prayer.
Tuesday November 4, 2025
Luke 14:15-24
Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force people to come in to make sure my house is full; because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet.”
This is the very last verse of this chosen passage that is read at daily mass today. The topic of discussion is who will be seated at the dinner table in the Kingdom of God. Those who were invited, the chosen ones, were too busy doing this and that. Then the master opened the doors of the kingdom to anyone willing to come. Our Lord says he wants the banquet hall filled.
Are you the kind of person who has a tendency to count yourself out? You think there are other people, other churches, other persons worthy of the calling? Well today you get a personal invitation to belong. Come as you are, come with your stretch marks, your imperfections, your beauty. This beautiful invitation goes to all of us. Now as you come and you are like me, I invite you for a brief second to watch the faces of the “cool kids.” They are not happy, they will talk and maybe try to make you uncomfortable. But you come to the Kingdom at the invitation of Our Lord and no one else. This is an invitation he died for so that you may have a place. Honor the invitation and come proudly. You belong here!!!
Wednesday October 29, 2025
Luke 13:20-30
Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.
Growing up as a Catholic, I never really knew how to answer this question when the born again Christians asked it. With Bible in hand they would walk up to a rosary wearing Catholic and ask “Are you Saved? Did you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?” It was a tricky question to ask Catholics because that was not our lingo. We spoke sacraments.
So are you saved? How many will be saved? I did not think I had a chance of salvation. Not that I was a bad kid but the competition was tough. Heaven had only limited seats and I thought of all the saints who had died before me. What chance did I have with such limited seats in heaven. The Bible says in Revelation that only 144,000 will be saved (Rev 8:9-10). What chance did I have when I occasionally stole some scones from mama’s kitchen?
Our priest saw our distress and he came up with a solution. Wear a scapular. On the scapular was written “whoever dies wearing this scapular will not miss eternal life.” That was the ticket until mine broke and traumatized me again.
Yesterday I asked us to do our best. God knows that some of us have challenges that are embedded in our DNA. Just give it your hardest. Show some effort in giving grace to your annoying cousin or friend. I don’t worry if I am saved anymore. I worry about feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, giving clothes to the distressed. Hake even tithing to my church is part of my effort. I had to put that one in . Can someone bring me a scapular next time you are in Italy. The brown one please. Gotta wear that one for old times sake.
Tuesday October 28, 2025
Luke 6:12-19
Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them;
Have you ever had an overnight prayer? In my formative years I belonged to the charismatic renewal movement and we occasionally had overnight prayer meetings. The hot tea and bread at 03:00 am was always something to look forward to. It is funny now thinking back and remembering that hot tea was a highlight but we were young poor boys and it did not take much to brighten our days. When I was in seminary or formation we also had these overnight prayer meetings and we invited the community to join us. I remember coming out of these prayer sessions feeling renewed and focused. I knew that God would make a way where there seems to be no way.
Our Lord had a difficult and important decision to make. He spent a whole night in prayer because he wanted guidance in choosing the twelve disciples. Was life perfect after that night in prayer? Where the disciples God chosen and solid people?
After a whole night in prayer he still chose Judas who betrayed him, Peter who denied him and a whole bunch who run away. Only John the beloved stayed to the very end.
However we firmly believe that these twelve were God chosen and God strengthened. Somehow they continued his beautiful ministry fubbling through it all. I like to think that you too are blundering your way into heaven. Today I want you to take courage in your choices. God does sort things out. All God asks is that we do our best. Be best!!! Someone said that before and for the life of me I can’t remember who said it, Be Best. Anyway before you set out today, pray for guidance and trust that you are indeed being led by the Spirit.
Thursday October 23, 2025
Luke 12:49-53
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over.
The disciples were slow in getting started or getting some excitement about the gospel. One gets the impression that they showed up somewhat present. I have seen this kind of posture in other areas that I have worked. I am sure you have too. Someone showing up at work with no love for the job or someone being on a school project but not putting in the effort.
I remember being this kind of a guy when I was young. My novice master would wonder out loud why we were even in seminary or formation. We did the least!!!
Tell me this, what are you passionate about? What lights a fire under your feet? Is it singing? Is it feeding the hungry? Is it preaching? Today I want you to spend some time loving your call. I mean deliberately loving your calling. Write down why you love being a mom, uncle, friend. Above all, what lights your fire about the gospel that is Jesus Christ?
Fr Terry a wonder Irish passionist priest used to say to us “when the church is on fire, the visitors feel the heat.” Can people tell that you love the Lord or follow the Lord?
Think about it and pray about it!
Monday October 20, 2025
Luke 12-13-21
A man in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.’ ‘My friend,’ he replied, ‘who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’
What enriches your life? What makes us content? Yesterday I was a wee bit early for Mass in Lebanon and I found two homeless people at the door of the church. They were asleep with everything that they have. With them was a very happy dog. They were respectful and although it was raining they paced their items and moved on so we could have Mass. I am thinking about them this morning and hoping that things change and they find a house. But this got me thinking of what I truly have. What truly enriches me is my family and the network of friends we have built here. Today Our Lord invites us to make sure we spend time nourishing what really matters in life. It is not about possessions, it is about a rich relationship with our family and Mother Nature.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Luke 11:42-46
The Lord said to the Pharisees: ‘Alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God!
Oh this should be an easy preach! There is an American or rather English saying that captures what our Lord says beautifully. Don’t be the guy that puts the cart before the horse. Spirituality and indeed life itself doesn’t work like that. The Pharisees were religious about that tithe but boy did it make them bitter.
I say that about myself. I have every intention to fast during lent but then I become short tempered and easily irritated when I am hungry. I honestly feel like God says to me “please eat something, we are all suffering because of your fast.”
Anyway Justice and Love of Yahweh should come first. The tithing should be a result of our prayer and our calling to help out the church. Where in your life do you have your priorities mixed up?
Tuesday October 14, 2025
Luke 11:37-41
Jesus had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table. The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him, ‘Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness. Fools!
I am impressed at how available Our Lord was. It seems like he always made time to visit. Once I was complaining about how little time I have between the three jobs I had. A friend looked at me and lovingly said “You will make the time if it is important.” Yes the world has always been busy, but if something or someone is important enough, we will find time. This is just a little reminder to myself to prioritize some things.
Our Lord dined a lot. It seems like in the gospel of Luke, he is either traveling or eating. Today he takes the opportunity to ask the Pharisee and us to prioritize our spiritual life. He invites us to do some deep spiritual, heart work. Have you noticed that older and deeper love is sometimes quiet? Older people can sit in silence and connect on a deeper level. They through the many years together have aligned their souls. Our Lord may not have washed his hands correctly, but his heart was connected to God. Today I invite you to some deep spiritual work, I invite you to connect with SOURCE.
Friday October 10, 2025
Luke 11:15-26
When Jesus had cast out a devil, some of the people said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.
I know this is unrelated but I want to take a moment to hold dear to my heart all those who have had angel babies. As a man I feel ill equipped to talk about miscarriages or still borne. I feel double ill/ equipped because this is an experience we have never had as a couple. But it was during this month 13+ years ago when the doctor told us that the child we have now was going to be a miscarriage. There was a complication, the doctor said, and this miscarriage has began. We were devastated, helpless. I looked at Mary Ann and said, then we will pray through this. I summoned the prayer warriors at Rabbouni and we prayed this child to full term. Most of you remember our struggle, you remember praying us through pregnancy.
Since then I have come to know how difficult and lonely this experience can be. There is a grieving that women and men go through. Please say a prayer today for all those who have had this experience as part of their life journey.
This gospel passage we have today has been part of our lived experience. Tell me this: Have you ever found it difficult to accept the good that someone else has done because you don’t like their politics? Some people in Our Lord’s time could never ever give him credit. They would seize on something wrong he had done like helping someone on a Sabbath. Their hatred of him, his style, maybe his politics blinded them. I think the church should have some non-Catholics as saints. Imagine a St Nelson Mandela, a St Martin Luther King Jr or a St. Billy Gram.
Be open to God’s action today coming to you from places you would not expect.
Thursday October 9, 2025
Luke 11:5-13
‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him.
Well I think I will follow this advise and at least once a week will put out this ask to you. Would you consider Rabbouni for your end of year giving. Every donation helps keep our doors and this ministry open.
Now to the more important topic. What do you need? A little peace in your life hmm? Maybe a little clarity of where life is leading you? I think we can make living with unanswered questions a spiritual practice. Paying for certainty is being a novice in the spiritual life. None of the greats had that. Hake Pope Francis said a faith that does not question is a faith that needs to be questioned.
There is a story in the gospel that comes to mind. A blind man goes to our Lord and asks, “Lord, that I might see.” Our Lord touched the blind man’s eyes with mud and spit, wages it off and says, “do you see.” Yes Lord he replies, but people look like trees. Our Lord goes for take two, another prayer, another rubbing of the eyes. Now do you see, asks our Lord. Yes yes I see. Now this part is not in the gospel. The man says, “but Lord, it’s not 20/20 vision.” Then our Lord sends him away with “keep using your eyes, you might get 20/20 and if you don’t well life is not fair.”
Ask it it will be given in some form. Thank you for your generosity to our church.
Mahalo
Monday October 6, 2025
Luke 10:25-37
There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’
What is your ultimate question? What must I do to earn more? What must I do to retire young and enjoy my life? The lawyer in today’s passage asks the most important question ever. He asks about eternal life. Have you ever pondered on this question yourself? Is a walk in God number one in your life?
Eternal life is really not about a life when we die. It is in some respects about walking in God’s grace today. Yes tomorrow is gone, it may have some impact for what happens today but this day we have a new opportunity to start afresh. Now I will let you in on a secret. Make small simple steps. Smile, be grateful, say grace intentionally before a meal, do an act of kindness.
A lot has been said about this lawyer and his ill intentions on asking this question. Well, today I just want to celebrate that he asked the important question and he has led me to ask it of myself today. What must I do to inherit life? Be kind to the human kind and all kinds.
Wednesday October 1, 2025
Luke 9:57-62
As Jesus and his disciples travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus answered, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’
Nothing is as it seems. From a distance it all looks great and wonderful, it all seems like the most beautiful life. Yes it is Facebook perfect from the outside but the lived reality is a challenge. I love how Our Lord tells this young man to think again. The life of discipleship is a challenge. He will have nowhere to lay his head if he decides to go this way. I wonder what challenges those pastors who have private jets have? Big money big problems.
Here is the deal for you and I. Love and make the most of where you are now. Yes dream of a beautiful future and work towards it but do not compare yourself with others. Your life, your pace, your race! Runners will get this one.
Our Lord definitely had challenges but everyday he stepped into the world and people saw his joy. They wanted what he had.
Tuesday September 30, 2025
Luke 9:51-56
Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But he turned and rebuked them, and they went off to another village.
So a part of me is very formal. In a weird way I am it tears into me when someone refers to Our Lord Jesus as simply Jesus. I think it is too casual, somewhat disrespectful. The disciples referred to him as “Lord.” There is a story in extra biblical sources that when St Peter’s wife was being taken to be beheaded, St Peter yelled out to her “Miriam my love, remember the Lord!!” Anyway that is neither here nor there just my pet peeve.
The Samaritans refused to accept Our Lord and his disciples. The disciples in turn wanted to show the Samaritans who was boss. Nobody gets to refuse the Son of God. Well, have you ever been rejected? It kinda rubs us the wrong way doesn’t it. I know that rejection makes me want to be even better so that the rejector will kick themselves for turning me down. Oh I hate to be rejected.
Our Lord says to the disciples, let’s move on. The time may not be right for the Samaritans to accept us. See, there is a time for everything under the sun. The gospel, the good news cannot be forced on people. Announce it and move on. And if you are rejected, maybe there is an opening to change our approach, to become better at it.
Preach on, and when it is necessary use words.
Friday September 26, 2025
Luke 9:18-22
One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’
One thing I remember vividly from my childhood is seeing mama pray the rosary. She absolutely believed in praying her rosary everyday. She did not kneel to pray it or say it out loud but we all saw the rosary in her hand as she moved from bead to bead. I have failed Grayson in that regard. I think our children need to see that prayer is important.
Our Lord prayed regularly. Prayer was important to him. At one time his disciples even asked him to teach them how to pray. Today I want to encourage you to go out in nature and talk to your God. I know that I could use a conversation with God about how this life is unfolding. Our true identity will be revealed to us more clearly when we pray!
Wednesday September 24, 2025
Luke 9:1-6
Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
Where is the need today? Where do you plan to bring healing? This scripture passage serves to remind me of my mission. Sometimes I get distracted and go about doing many other things but I forget that primarily, I am a healer!!! You are a healer!!!
Healing is indeed tough and challenging work but God has blessed us with the power to do it. Our world, our country needs healing. The political divide in our nation could be a good starting place. It does not begin with the other, it begins with me. Maybe it is not politics for you, maybe for you it is mending a broken relationship. Let it begin with you. Yes sometimes we get tired of being the one to stretch out the hard first. I get that, but my friend how else will we heal if you don’t become the bigger person. Remember you have been given power by our Lord to do this. Give healing your best shot.
Tuesday September 23, 2025
Luke 8:19-21
The mother and the brothers of Jesus came looking for him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd. He was told, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you.’ But he said in answer, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.’
Here is one of the problem passages in scripture. Some tend to focus on that last sentence above about who he considered his mother and brothers. Let me make something clear as if I was there myself. There is no bigger supporter of Our Lord than his mama and his family. Hake look who is present at the foot of the cross. Who becomes the leader of the church in Jerusalem (St. James his brother), tradition has it that the two disciples heading to Emmaus were actually his uncle and aunt. Our Lord’s family was very involved. They loved him and understood him.
What I love today is that this family tried to figure out moments of getting together. He could not come to them so they went to him. People were saying that he had gone mad and they called for his mother. Don’t do that to me please . She and the whole family came.
So many things can happen to strain family relationships. Hake my heart has been broken because I don’t know how to be present for a family member who is making terrible choices. I feel for my mother who cannot be in all places. You would think she would have retired from raising kids but even in her old age, she is worried about this one or that one.
Today may I just ask for prayers for the many torn families. I pray for a quick healing for all those who hurt because of family ties. O Lord come to our aid and make haste to help us!!!
Wednesday September 17, 2026
Luke 7:41-37
For John the Baptist comes, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”
Our Lord in the passage above is frustrated with the criticism directed towards him. Whatever he does or does not do, he gets criticism.
How do you handle the critics? I am sure someone out there does not like what you wear or how you talk. Some criticize where you go to church or who you follow on social media.
Well, there is only one of you and you have to dig deep and find how best you can contribute to the kingdom of God. I say this often and I have to confess that it took me a long time to stop comparing myself to others. You are unique and that is lovely. Please love your step in this world and get comfortable with it. No one else will walk the earth like you do.
Jesus was definitely different!!! His critics were sure there was no way the God of Israel would speak through him. Well……..
Tuesday September 16, 2025
Luke 7:11-17
Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her.
Death is tough, it really changes everything. What do you do after losing someone who meant everything to you. They are gone but you see them everywhere and wish they were present as they used to be. After losing my dad, I swear I saw him in every dad who was present for their child.
Today our Lord gives a mother her only wish. He gives her the child she lost. My people say in the old country that death is better than being mad. We do not see this a lot here in the USA but back home when someone has mental illness and there is no medication whatsoever, those people roam the streets in filth. It is so difficult and painful to see one you love living in such a deplorable condition.
Imagine a mother driving downtown and seeing their child on the streets filthy and all because of drugs. Imagine one completely lost because of wealth. What can we do to restore the living dead?
Let us pray for all those who love those who are alive but are also lost and dead. And let us pray also for those struggling with addiction. We pray they may be given back to their loved ones, healed and clean. May God bless us all.
Friday September 12, 2025
Luke 6:39-46
Jesus told a parable to the disciples: ‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit?
Are you blind? What are you blind to? What would you not see?
This is a strange place to start but most of you will immediately have someone in mind when I mention this. Have you ever known a one upper? Someone who always makes every conversation about themselves or how much greater their issue is. You start to tell how your child did something good and they don’t even congratulate your child but make it about their child. You wear a nice piece of clothing and they talk about what they bought. What drives you crazy about that person? I find them exhausting and eventually I don’t share much but busk in their glory. People like this will also one up you in sad news. You share the pain of losing a parent and next thing you know we are talking about their dead dog or whatever.
Be a good listener today and be present to the pain of others. This may not be a good time or the right time to talk about “the other.” Just be present!!! We are blind when we fail to be here now. When we can’t feel with others now.
Our Lord says if one of us does not “unblind” we are heading into a pit. And what a pit it is my friends!!! STOP
Thursday September 11, 2025
Luke 6:27-36
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly.
One of the best homilies I heard on Good Friday many many years ago was given by Fr Chuck Thompson who later became Archbishop of Indianapolis. He said “the cross of Christ says to the world, it ends here. The violence ends with this cross, hate ends here!” This was such a powerful message when it first landed on my ears and I have remembered it since that day. “It ends here!!!”
Our Lord wished for the disciples to create a new world. They had lived in a violent world and it seemed that violence and hate just begot more violence and hate. Let it end here with us believers. We can lead others by showing that it is okay to disagree on opinions but to still let them be. When one starts to demonize the other we can help by not participating in such talk. These little acts of goodness and kindness do have an impact.