Rich Thoughts

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. An explanation of the politics surrounding Isaiah 7:1-9, followed by a reflection on when things seem hopeless. Has God provided you with signs of hope?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. The message of Isaiah of Jerusalem (Isaiah 1:10-17) and Jesus' message in Matthew 10:34-11:1 are the same: how is our faith challenging us to change?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. We have a lot in common with the Twelve sent out by Jesus (Mark 6:7-13). Who says that we can't accomplish things beyond our abilities?

At Immaculate Conception Parish, Knoxville. Tying in Isaiah 6:1-8 and Matthew 10:24-33 to the life and the example of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Why aren’t we out there curing the sick and raising the dead? We’ve heard God’s love for us in Hosea 11, and we’re better prepared than the apostles in Matthew 10.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Matthew’s relationship with Judaism (Matthew 10:1-7), Hosea 10, St. Benedict, and the dangers of resorting to “either/or” instead of “both/and.”

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Three big questions provoked by Mark 6:1-6. Some of Jesus’ friends and family weren’t open to his message. Can we learn from how he treated them?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. An introduction to the prophetic books of the Bible. Does Amos’ message to the Israelite aristocrats resonate with us today?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Are the two healing stories in Mark 5:21-43 separate, related, or integrated? What gift does the woman with the hemorrhage offer us?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. How the tragic end of Israel (in 2 Kings 17) helped create the great religion of Judaism, and how grappling with tragedy sometimes blesses us.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. What are the fruits (Matthew 7:15-20) by which we should judge St. Cyril?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. (Read Luke 1:5-17 and 1:57-66, 80 if you’re unfamiliar with the story of John’s birth.) The miracle of birth and the complexity of the HHS mandate.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Matthew 6:7-15 inspires a reflection on forgiveness, reconciliation, and the HHS mandate.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. A reflection on making displays of faith, like in 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14, even in light of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Jesus has told us to be perfect (Matthew 5:43-48), but as humans, we are imperfect. What gives? Perhaps 1 Kings 21:17-29 can help explain.

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. The duplicities in the story of 1 Kings 21:1-16, and applying them to Matthew 5:38-42.

At Immaculate Conception Parish (another Paulist parish), Knoxville. What's so "holy" about the Holy Family's handling of the situation in Luke 2:41-51? Whatever our answer is, we can pray about it!

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Focusing on the positive, even in times of great conflict (such as in 1 Kings 18:20-30 and Matthew 5:17-19). The humility of Anthony doesn't hurt, either!

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. The relationship between Barnabas ("the son of encouragement") and Paul. Have we served others in a similar relationship?

At Blessed John XXIII Parish, Knoxville. Making the case for carefully choosing our language when describing the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Are we seeking unity or division?