Holiness Hurts

A Homily for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A   In the 1996 movie The Preacher’s Wife, Denzel Washington plays the role of an angel named Dudley.  One scene is a particular favorite of mine.  A little boy, unaware that he is speaking to an angel, asks Dudley

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The Mirror

The following comes from a book entitled Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul,[1] published way back in 1997.  I used to give this piece to my students.  It’s called “The Mirror.”   “Dr. Papaderos, what is the meaning of life?” The usual laughter followed and people stirred to go. Papaderos held

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Sin as Shortcut

A Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A     Jesuit priest Father Mark Link tells this story:   John was a contractor for a construction company.  To increase his personal income, he routinely cheated on materials that went into the homes he built.  He was so adept

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I Want a Star!

  They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.  They prostrated themselves and did him homage.  Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. –Matthew 2:11-12–   In the formal dining room

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