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“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Tied with these words of Christ is the story of how Peter, Andrew, James, and John dropped everything, literally everything, to follow the Lord.Read More -
I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen a presidential motorcade, but they’re quite the sight. Police everywhere, lots of big black vehicles with flashy lights, the whole works. Royalty back in the day didn’t have motorcades, obviously, but they didn’t travel in any less style.Read More -
Today we celebrate Mary, Mother of God. This is usually a Holy Day of Obligation, but since it falls on a Sunday, we just celebrate it today, no “extra” Masses for either Christmas or Mary this year. I’ll tell you, this is the best year ever for a priest's schedule - Christmas and Mary Mother of God falling on Sundays mean not a lot of extra “work.” Which is especially helpful for me this year.Read More -
Merry Christmas everyone! Thanks for coming out on such a cold, miserable day. At least we can be thankful that we have snow for Christmas this year, it just makes it feel like Christmas, but I would have been okay with less cold and wind, that’s for sure.Read More -
In today’s readings we have two characters which deserve attention, Ahaz and Joseph, two characters which I have often wondered about their mindsets when they each encountered God in these particular stories.Read More
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The first thing that jumped out at me when I read this weekend’s readings was this sentence from Isaiah: “The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: … a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.”Read More
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Today, as we begin Advent and the new Church year, the readings the Church gives us tries to make us more attentive to, hopeful about, and prepared for the moment of the great advent of God, the second coming of Christ. God has come to us, God will come to us again, but we must also make our pilgrimage to God.Read More
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Well, if you were here last weekend and heard me announce that one of our two Dubuque transitional deacons, Jeff Frieden, would be here assisting, and would be preaching, I’m sorry to disappoint you. Dcn. Jeff got sick late this week, and he couldn’t make it.Read More
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So back in July some priest friends of mine started a book club and invited me to join. There are only four of us in it, including Fr. Scott Bullock, who was the pastor here nine years ago, and we basically pick a book, read two chapters of it, and discuss it every two weeks over Zoom.Read More
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In our first reading and psalm we heard that the Lord hears the cry of the poor and the oppressed. According to our Gospel, He also hears the cry of the tax collector.Read More
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Today’s readings are about perseverance in prayer. When I was thinking about the readings, I could not help but think about Perry Mason, who is the chair of our parish council, and also the head usher at the 9:30am Mass.Read More
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Well there’s a lot going on here today at Nativity. I kinda want to change today’s psalm just a little bit. If today your pastor asks for money, harden not your hearts.Read More
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As many of you know, since the start of Covid I have been “appearing” on the radio, the four Radio Dubuque stations which share our parking lot right over here. One of the segments is called “Father Time” and it is every Thursday morning at 8:10am on 92.9 KatFM, hosted by Lisa Bennett.Read More
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Today's obvious theme is the need for humility. At its root, humility is a recognition that there is something greater than us. That something in the Christian life is God. Wonder and awe will lead us to humility, because we are in such awe of God's gracious love, His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and His mercy which endures despite our failings.Read More
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Today’s readings show us that we must speak the truth even when we know there will be pushback - even when we know it will be met with resistance. For example, parents know they must challenge the wrong behavior of their children even if the response will be door slamming or foot stomping or screaming even.Read More
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For first-century Jews, there was no consensus and no defined doctrine of resurrection – no accepted understanding of how God would punish evil or reward good. Instead, many looked for God’s approval or disapproval in this life: Those who lived long lives, and had material blessings and lots of children, were seen as favored by God, while those who had little were seen as less favored.Read More
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As most of you have heard, we have a little grass volleyball pick-up game here every Thursday evening. It has been really enjoyable. Volleyball has been in my immediate family for as long as I can remember. My dad started playing in his early twenties and we just always had a grass court at my house growing up. Both of my sisters played at college even.Read More
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The Gospel story we just heard is an interesting one about a situation involving two of Jesus' good friends, Martha and Mary. But to better appreciate what is happening here, it's important to take a look at our first reading.Read More
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The Good Samaritan is one of those parables that has gained almost universal recognition even outside of Christian circles. This is understandable. The notion of kindness to strangers and even generosity is one of those ideals that many religious traditions would propose to its followers.Read More
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In today's Gospel we hear Jesus send out 72 disciples “ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.” Jesus employed a strategy of sending them out two-by-two to prepare people’s hearts to receive Him.Read More
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