Author: The Anchorite

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Does Anybody See What I See?

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B): Mark 12:38-44

Is anybody there?
Does anybody care?
Does anybody see what I see?

– John Adams, from the musical “1776”

Jesus is sitting opposite the treasury in the Temple as we encounter him in this Sunday’s Gospel, observing people as they make their donations. Why is he there? What is he looking for?

At this point in Mark’s Gospel, it is Holy Week. Holy Thursday would happen in a day or two. Jesus has been preparing his disciples for what is about to happen. They have tried to understand him and to follow him, but they aren’t quite there yet. Jesus knows that their faith will be severely tested very soon. What might help them survive that hour?  Continue reading “Does Anybody See What I See?”

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The Greatest Commandment

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (B): Mark 12:28-34

Over this past year, we have seen many instances where people’s homes have been threatened – or destroyed – by wildfires, floods, or hurricanes.

Imagine that it’s your home that is threatened. You have just been told that you have thirty minutes to leave your home if you wish to save your lives. You can’t take everything with you, of course.

What do you save? The rest of your family, first of all. And then?  Your pets? Your wallet or purse? Some important documents? Your cellphone? Your laptop? Some clothing? A watch or piece of jewelry that came from a beloved grandparent? What do you leave?  In making these choices, you have had to set priorities. You discover what matters most to you. Not that you wanted to lose anything; but, when push came to shove, what was most important in your life? What defines you? What can you not live without?  Continue reading “The Greatest Commandment”

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The Cloak

Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) – Mark 10:46-52

He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. – Mark 10:50

At the time of the year when visions of pumpkins, candy corn and black cats dance in our heads, it may be easy to miss the context of our Gospel for this Sunday. It takes place not in fall but in early spring. Passover is imminent. Jesus and his disciples are nearing Jerusalem. This is the last event Mark gives us in Jesus’ life before Holy Week. Everything that Jesus has been saying about his life and purpose is about to be fulfilled. Jesus will be put to the test. So will his disciples.  Continue reading “The Cloak”

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Saint Thorlak of Iceland

Patron Saint for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Telling the digital world that I am on the autism spectrum tends to draw certain kinds of birds to this blog’s nest. I have had feedback from a number of people who are also autistic – sharing comments, questions, and experiences with me. One of them, Aimee O’Connell, told me that she is involved with The Mission of St. Thorlak, a ministry for and with people on the autism spectrum. I had never heard of St. Thorlak before, but he is officially the patron saint of Iceland. Aimee O’Connell is among those who believe that St. Thorlak may have been on the autism spectrum himself. They are proposing him as a patron saint for autistic people. Continue reading “Saint Thorlak of Iceland”

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The Reconciling Family

Twenty-Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

Since the first reading and the Gospel for this Sunday deal with marriage and family life, I have taken article that I recently wrote for the Harvest on Pope Francis’ teachings on family life and used it as the basis of this blog post.  No one will complain if I steal from myself!

In The Joy of Love, Pope Francis explores the richness of marriage and family life in Catholic teaching from a number of angles. Here, I am going to focus on the family as the place where we first learn reconciliation.  Continue reading “The Reconciling Family”