14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) July 4 (Ezekiel 2:3-5; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6)

A nation of rebels and transgressors, filled with the impudent and stubborn! That is quite a sweeping indictment and does not leave much room for hope. But that is the message that Ezekiel had been missioned to proclaim to his own nation and people.

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) June 27 (Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Psalm 30; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43)

Death was not part of God’s plan, and God takes no delight in it. We need to hear that repeatedly, for fearsome and negative images of God have taken their toll over the centuries. God is the God of the living and the giver of life itself.

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 20 (Year B) Job 38:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 107; 2 Corinthains 5:14-17; Mark 4:35-41

So much of our anguish stems from our limited vision and understanding. Facing the challenges of life, we make agonized attempts to figure things out.

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 13 (Year B) Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalm 92; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34

What do trees, leaves and sprigs have to do with anything? The prophets often spoke in enigmas and symbols, and Ezekiel was no exception. God was often portrayed as a gardener or vineyard keeper in Scripture and the garden or vineyard often symbolized the people of God — Israel. The message of Ezekiel, both for his own time and ours, is that God is in charge.

Sometimes I imagine what it might have been like for people at the foot of the cross as Jesus’ body was taken down, wrapped in linens and spices, and taken away to the tomb.

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 6 (Year B) Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 116; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Blood is one of the most powerful symbols in the world.

Since last Pentecost Sunday, how would you describe your gift of service to your community? It is an appropriate question for all of us this weekend (May 22-23) as we celebrate the popular feast of Pentecost Sunday, a feast we usually associate with the call to serve as people baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Most Holy Trinity, May 30 (Year B) Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Psalm 33; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20

How do we know that God exists? For many, belief is difficult. Rationalism and scientism have taken their toll, and the actual awareness of God is lacking in many lives. But the ancient Israelites were in a different position: They had seen and experienced the mighty and wondrous deeds of God on their behalf.

Pentecost Sunday, May 23 (Year B) Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23

What would the Spirit find if Pentecost occurred today? It would find a divided and broken world at war with itself.

Ascension of the Lord, May 16 (Year B) Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:17-23; Mark 16:15-20

When is the Lord going to return and fix our broken world? Christians have been asking that question for 2,000 years — in fact, the failure of Jesus to return quickly was a major issue for the first Christ-followers.