Rich Thoughts

It's a feast day, so we have three readings! What does our second reading (2 Peter 1:16-19) indicate about the significance of this feast? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Finally! God reveals his promise through the words of Jeremiah. This is a day to seek reconciliation in our own relationships! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

What does Matthew mean by the phrase "kingdom of heaven"? How we bring God's kingdom to the children of Gautemala, Honduras, and El Salvador? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Digging into the Book of Jeremiah, the reluctant prophet. We have seen and heard what Jeremiah longed to see and hear! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The opening verses of the Book of Jeremiah apply to us, too! God has a plan for us, and when God calls us, God thinks that we're ready to carry out the plan! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville TN)

Trying to find a common bond among Micah 6:8, Matthew 12:38-42, and St. Lawrence of Brindisi… through Louis Armstrong! (Immaculate Conception Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Isaiah of Jerusalem preached against Judah's varying alliances with Assyria and Egypt. He condemned the wealthy. His message of reliance of God and humility still speaks to us more than 2,800 years later. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The life of Kateri Tekakwitha (canonized in 2012) relates eerily to both of our readings (Isaiah 1:10-17 and Matthew 10:34 - 11:1). But this does NOT mean that Jesus wants us to have conflict in our families! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

The power of parabolic thinking! Let us nurture the seeds of love, hope, and peace! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Hosea may have spoken only to Jews in a specific time and place, but his message from God challenges all of us today. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

What is Israelite prophecy? How is it different from prophecy in other cultures and religions? Plus, a very specific challenge about interpreting the Book of Hosea. (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

What does it mean to live "in the Spirit" rather than "in the flesh"? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

There's more to the Ascension than what (doesn't) meet the eye! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Prisca and Aquila -- would the Church have survived without people like them? An invitation to discuss the role of laity in parish leadership today. [In Tennessee, Ascension is celebrated on the upcoming Sunday.] (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

What's more spectacular: a display of God's power or the true and quiet conversion of hearts? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

A challenge -- over the next several months -- for us to deepen our relationship with the Holy Spirit! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

What is Jesus' main focus in John's Last Supper account? It's not about foot washing, putting up road signs to point the way to heaven, or securing comfy rooms there for his buddies! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

If Justus and Matthias had been with Jesus all along, why didn't Luke mention them? Matthias shouldn't be the patron of one in a million, but the patron of everyone else! (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

"I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold." What does Jesus mean by this statement? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. But what do we suburbanites and city dwellers know about sheep and shepherds? (St. John XXIII Parish, Knoxville, TN)