Let My People Go Free
Bishop Kelly
I never understood the logic of a debtor’s prison. It’s mentioned in today’s gospel from Matthew. Jesus has set the bar extremely high on what awaits those who are not reconciled with their opponents. They will be thrown into prison until they have paid the …
The Golden Rule
Most Christians think the so-called Golden Rule originated with Jesus. Twice in the Gospels, once in Matthew as we heard today; and again in Luke. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you” sounds Christian. It is in fact a maxim consistent …
A Nuclear Free World
“This is an evil generation.” That’s a terrible indictment against anyone, and coming from Jesus himself is even more frightening. The context of the condemnation is the constant challenges the authorities faced demanding Jesus prove what he is saying. What he was saying is supposed …
God’s Justice is His Mercy
Ash Wednesday “Only God can forgive sins.” These are the words the enemies of Jesus used to accuse him of blasphemy. Unknowingly, they were acknowledging that he was God. The basic element of the message of Jesus was that he could forgive sins. He did …
Eternal Life is Now
The death of John the Baptist is one of the more chilling stories in the Bible. It contains all the elements of tragic drama one can encounter in any era: adultery, betrayal, debauchery, jealousy; along with the singular courage of John himself. The early Church …
Lent Is Coming
There is a sense of urgency in today’s gospel from Mark. Jesus sends out the Twelve, two by two, and tells them to take nothing except a walking stick for the journey. With no food, no luggage, no money, they are to preach, drive out …
Your Sins are Forgiven
One of the main parts of the Holy Year of Mercy is forgiveness. It is not common for people to forgive one another. If it were, we would have less violence, less hatred, less prejudice than we now experience. In today’s gospel, we hear of …
The Ark of the Covenant
The events written about in today’s first reading took place some 3,000 years ago. The People of Israel have just lost a battle with the inhabitants of the land, the Philistines. Interestingly, the Arabic word for “Philistines” is rendered in English as “Palestinian”. Not only …
Speak Lord, Your Servant is Listening
When I was a young man, I took great consolation in the Prophecy of Joel, repeated by the Apostle Peter: “… your young men shall see visions.” Now that I am an old man, I find similar comfort in the adjoining verse of Joel and …
Be Made Clean
The island of Molokai is one of the least populated of the Hawaiian Islands. It is located between and within sight of Oahu and Maui. But there are no resorts and only a single road on the island. On an isolated peninsula on the island …
