Norm McGraw - Confessions from a former agnostic - At the time of his death, human reasoning alone did not provide salvation or eternal peace to “Kohelet,” author of Ecclesiastes, and it will not to us.

Ron Bruni - We are the clay, oh Lord, you are the potter - The Ephesians Epistle has caught the attention of several Popes, including our present Pope Francis.

Lou Occhi - A day of rest was not designed for punishment - Spending quality time with the family, reading scripture, taking a short time to pray, or taking a nap in addition to mass would bring us closer to what the Lord intended for His day.

Tim Trainor - Meaning of the Parable of the Talents - Talents refer not just to our natural abilities and qualities but also include graces or spiritual gifts that are the riches given to us by Jesus.

Steve Leininger - God sees our heart under the fig tree - The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle, each year on August 24.  Unlike Simon Peter, John, and the “apostle to the gentiles” Paul, very little information about Bartholomew is available in the New Testament.

Steve Hessman - More than a Botany lesson by Jesus - if a grain of wheat dies, it is dead! Jesus uses this metaphor to compare us to a grain of wheat that has the potential to grow and produce fruit that will nurture many.

Ron Bruni - Growing in God's wisdom - Address the "weeds" while trusting God's ultimate wisdom and timing for growth and judgment.

Norm McGraw - Facing the reality of hate - he first step in dealing with hatred and evil is to recognize it, as Isaiah does by telling his people and as Jesus does with the Pharisees.

Lou Occhi - All hell breaks loose - Priests and people of faith are being harassed and, in some cases, arrested. There are even those who regard Christians as extremists. We read in the gospel, “Do not be afraid.”

Tim Trainor - May the metaphor Be With You! - Jesus used Parables frequently. The Gospels are filled with over 30 Parables that Jesus used

Steve Leininger - Peter and Paul were VERY different people. At one point in time, these two men could not have been further apart in their behavior and beliefs.

Lou Occhi - Follow the way of the Lord - If we have a strong relationship with the Lord, the commandments will take care of themselves.

Ron Bruni - he devotion to Mary's immaculate heart has its roots in the early church, but gained, prominence in the 17th century through the preaching of St. John Eudes.

Ron Bruni - The path to righteousness - Jesus's balance of divine purpose and earthly obedience shows us the way to balance our earthly existence with God’s plan for each of us.

Tim Trainor - The dramatic spreading of the Church - Christianity, from being a tiny movement of a small number of Jews, is now a worldwide phenomenon.

Norm McGraw - The price of faith - For stating his beliefs, Justin the Martyr was beheaded. Fortunately, the media hasn’t asked us to pay that price. However, we can, as Jude states, “build” ourselves “up in” our “holy faith.” Even those who have grave doubts about the existence of the Creator still yearn to believe.

Steve Leininger - Decoding the Gospel - In today’s gospel reading from John, Jesus assured the 11 apostles remaining at the Last Supper that there is a great possibility that they will be persecuted in Jesus’ name, but don’t worry—he has their back.

Ron Bruni - Miracles, trust, and the path to true belief - Our natural inclination is to turn and leave, avoid the problematic call, and avoid the cross. Yet the world, the spirit, and the Father continue to call, enlighten, and draw us to life.

Norm McGraw - Giddy with joy - At the Easter Mass in my parish about two weeks ago, the priest was overcome with excitement in his sermon. Several times, he led us in chanting “Alleluia!”

Lou Occhi - Not judged by our religion - Our goal is to love and honor our Creator above all else and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Tim Trainor - The Church is at the Lord’s tomb - The authors of the Apostles' Creed and the Athanasian Creed refer to this day as "The Harrowing of Hell," when after his death, Christ descended into hell.

Steve Leininger - The Gospel in 12 verses - If you were limited to twelve short excerpts from the 4 gospels to tell the story of Jesus, what would YOUR list look like?

Ron Bruni - What's in a name? - Remember Isaiah's analogy: “We are the clay, and you are the potter; all of us are the work of your hands" (Isaiah 64:8).

Norm McGraw - Practiced what he preached - Jesus said to Judas, ‘Friend, do what you came to do.’”

Lou Occhi - The ashes represent our witness - God is always close to us. It does not matter whether we are sinning or doing well, He is always with us.

Steve Leininger - What did you do? - Jeroboam does something reminiscent of Exodus 32, when in the time of Moses, Aaron crafted the Golden Calf, declaring “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” You may recall this did not turn out well.

Ron Bruni - Lessons for discipleship - Jesus did not call his disciples at once but gradually over time. He first met Andrew and another disciple of John the Baptist, who followed him up after hearing. Andrew then brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus, who gave him the name Cephas.

Norm McGraw - Let God Be Your Life Counselor - Don’t be like the Pharisees, judging themselves better than others. As the passage in Mark indicates, Jesus came to save all of us, both the righteous and the sinners.

Lou Occhi - John the Baptizer, Baptism, & Water - In Genesis 1:2, we read that the Spirit of God moved over the waters. The Holy Spirit sanctified water, the source of the first life.

Tim Trainor - The Heavens will be glad - What does growing old teach us about God? Age brings with it much wisdom; it also teaches reverence for