Month: November 2020

November 29, 2020 At St. Peter & St. William Churches in Naples, FL

Isaiah 63, 16-17, 19 64, 2-7, + Psalm 80 + 1 Corinthians 1, 3-9 + Mark 33-37

Most of us live with a variety of different calendar years. Depending, I suppose, on your age and your state in life, one or more of them matters more than others. When I was in school, the “School year” was all that mattered, while for my parents there were others that demanded attention. Then, when I became a priest and eventually a pastor, there was the school year, because the parish had a school. There was the fiscal year, because I had to produce reports. … more »

November 22, 2020 – St. Peter the Apostle & St. William Church in Naples, FL

Ezekiel 34, 11-12. 15-17 + 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 + Matthew 25:31-46

This is the final parable in Matthew’s Gospel, and it may be the most challenging of them all. It not only challenges our image of Christ and his identity, it challenges our identity as well. The image of Christ as “King” that artists have put before us is in stark contrast to the image of Christ as King proposed for us in the Gospel. What artists often give us is a man crowned with gold and jewels, wrapped in luxurious robes, seated on a thrown staring at us with blank, empty eyes. … more »

November 15, 2020

At St. Peter the Apostle & St. William Church in Naples, FL

Proverbs 31,10-13, 19-20, 30-31 + Psalm 128 + 1 Thessalonians 5, 1-6 Matthew 25, 14-30

It’s easy to slide along with this parable and turn it into a simple lesson on the importance of using one’s gifts. At the same time, placed here at the end of the Church’s liturgical year, it becomes one more warning that Christ will come again, and there will be a time for accounting. The last two weekends have given us plenty of time to let that sink in. So, I’m not so sure that we ought to let these verses go with just a reflection on our stewardship or some thoughts about the last days. … more »

November 8, 2020 at St. Peter the Apostle and St. William in Naples, FL

Wisdom 6, 12-16 + Psalm 63 + 1 Thessalonians 4, 13-18 + Matthew 25, 1-13

This is not a parable about generosity. It is a parable about wisdom, and the Word of God speaks to us today about Wisdom. This Wisdom that is so essential for those who expect to enter into the Wedding Feast of the God’s Kingdom is not the same as knowledge. I know a lot of smart people who are very well educated, and you probably do as well, but they have no wisdom. They may know a lot of things, be very secure financially, and comfortable with their life style, but the peace and purpose in life does not come from books. … more »