A Word of Hope

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, commenting on the Transfiguration, points out that following God into the detours of life is sometimes to best way to hear his voice.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, commenting on Jesus telling us, "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect," points out that this is a long, long journey—but we should make sure we are heading in the right direction.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP reminds us that as we take our Lenten journey, we should begin by reconciling with our brothers and sisters before we approach the altar of God.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP puts a spin on Jesus' classic words on prayer, "Seek and ye shall find," that what we are meant to seek is to join in Jesus' mission, and the doors that will open for us when we join this mission might not be the ones we would have chosen for ourselves.

Fr. Donald Goergen, OP, pointing out that Job did not want to go to Nineveh because he knew God was so merciful that he would forgive the people, asks us if we are so confident of God's mercy that we can admit what we need to change.

Fr. Donald Goergen, OP comments on the "Our Father," noting that Jesus begins by telling his disciples, "when you pray, do not babble on." This prayer should be prayed from the heart, simply.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, commenting on Matthew 25, points out that the heart of our faith is taking care of the poor and marginalized in a proactive way. He also thanks people for their donations in support of Ukraine.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, speaking of the temptations of Jesus in the desert, recommends that we ask God for the disposition to stand against the temptations in our own lives that pull us away from God.

Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP relates Jesus' challenge to us to not think ourselves as above others, but to really listen to others—especially those whom we think are less religious than we are, or are marginalized. They might be the bearers of God's message for us.

Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP reminds us that our following the law has to be greater than that of the Pharisees, not based in following rules but in caring for the poor.

Br. Edward Van Merrienboer, OP reminds us that every moment of every day we either choose Christ or choose "not Christ."

Br. Edward Van Merrienboer, OP reminds us of our call as ambassadors of Jesus to be reconcilers and to work to heal divisions with humility.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, in response to Jesus saying that he could make an apostle out of a little child, wonders if we put too many limits on what we think God can and cannot do by projecting our own limitations on God.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP recommends one of the most powerful prayers in scripture, "I do believe, help my unbelief."

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, along with Jesus, challenges that for Christians, a tooth for a tooth is not good enough. In a world of division, we are called to overcome our differences and love our neighbor.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, unpacking the Transfiguration, points out that faith is beautiful, but is also often ambiguous, and our hope lies in that mystery.

Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP asks us to consider if we will embrace the Tower or the Cross? The Tower of Babel symbolizes safety and security, building our own glorious future. The Cross of Christ entails pain and suffering. But the things most worth having—solidarity, friendship, and love—cannot be had without opening ourselves up to others, which means inviting into our own lives their suffering and sorrow.

Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP, unpacking the story of Noah and the Arc, reminds us that our actions have real consequences in the world, but that God also made a covenant with Noah to always help to bring new life out of the destruction our sins have wrought.

Fr. Brian Walker, OP, commenting on a miracle healing by Jesus, invites us to ask God to give us the grace to see the world around us with clarity.

Fr. Brian Walker, OP reminds us that we already have all that we need, we just need to look around us and see it—especially when it comes to personal relationships.

Br. Joe Trout, OP, commenting on the story of Cain and Abel, says that God does not treat us all the same or give us all the same gifts because God sees each of us in our uniqueness.

Br. Joe Trout, OP looks at the way that Jesus expands the Law with "You have heard it said...but I say...," noting that he is showing what it is like when you internalize the law and apply it to everything in your life.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, recalling the miraculous feeding of four thousand people by Jesus, reminds us that on this Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, modern people go to Lourdes to be fed by God, and to receive comfort and healing in their lives.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, recalling how Jesus healed the deaf man, asks us each to think where we need this kind of healing in our own lives. Are there people we cannot or will not hear?