Author: The Anchorite

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Rending the Heavens

First Sunday of Advent (B)

“Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down with the mountains quaking before you… while you worked awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as had not been heard of from of old.” – from Isaiah 64:19-65:3

Batman. Superman. Spiderman. Wonder Woman. Thor. The Hulk. Many of you can add more such characters to my list. One of the fascinating  phenomena in American popular culture in the last century is the rise of the superhero. Someone who can combat evil with unusual powers or abilities. These characters first appeared in comic books, but they would soon make their way to TV and eventually movie stardom. Even now, successful movies continue to be made featuring them.   Continue reading “Rending the Heavens”

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Sheep and Goats

Feast of Christ the King (A) – Matthew 25:31-46

The Last Judgment. The separation of sheep and goats. “Whatever you did for one of the least brothers (or sisters) of mine, you did for me”.

Most of us are quite familiar with this teaching of Jesus. It has inspired many saints – known and unknown – throughout the centuries. Works of art and hymns, as well as many of our social justice teachings, have been based on it. This scene has become integrated into the very fiber of our being as Catholic Christians.  Continue reading “Sheep and Goats”

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“Pro Orantibus” Day

Today, November 21, is the feast of the Presentation of Mary. It is also “Pro Orantibus” Day – a day set aside, since the time of Pope Pius XII, to honor, support and pray for those whose vocation is to pray for the Church and the world. The focus on this day is mainly on cloistered orders of religious women and contemplative orders of religious men. It also includes hermits, who are called to separate themselves from the world in order to live lives of prayer and penance for the sake of all.   Continue reading ““Pro Orantibus” Day”

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Faith: PSA or Fire Within?

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time: Matthew 25:14-30

Submitted for our consideration this week is a parable of Jesus known as “The Parable of the Talents”. Because we use the word “talent” to refer to a personal gift or ability one of us may have, it’s easy to assume that this is what Jesus is talking about in this parable. Jesus, in this interpretation, is telling us to discover and use our talents as best we can.  Continue reading “Faith: PSA or Fire Within?”

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Check The Oil!

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time: Matthew 25:1-13

I began my study of theology at St. Paul’s Seminary in Ottawa, Ontario in 1982. As was the custom in this diocese, I was given a parish assignment for the first time after my second year of theology – the summer of 1984. The diocese made arrangements with a car rental company to make cars available that summer  for any seminarian who did not have his own. Accordingly, when June came around, I made my way to Rent-A-Wreck in Westbrook, ME, and was issued a yellowish Ford Escort that had seen many, many trips around the barn. Still, it ran well enough, so I was good to go.  Continue reading “Check The Oil!”