Juan Point at a Time

You know wisdom when you see it, but how do we grow in it? Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 32

Without even realizing it, we may sometimes be charging Christ a price of admission into our hearts. And there's a simple question way to figure out what that price might be. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 31 - Thursday

Jesus invites us to develop routines that keep us open to his Spirit and remain faithful to them. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 29 - Tuesday

Jesus opens the eyes of the Pharisees in today's readings with a litmus test that we can apply to our own lives. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 30

Today is a memorial of 8 Jesuits who were martyred in North America and their witness can still be a model for us today, even in a context which lacks the violence of their time. Memorial of the North American Martyrs

Today's reading offers some suggestions from Jesus on prayer. Ordinary Time - Week 27 - Thursday

Jerusalem is a city, but also a symbol. Luke is well aware of what he is doing when writes that Christ determined to go there. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 26 - Tuesday

Unworthiness can be a rather distasteful concept in popular culture, but they are valued within our Christian tradition. So much so that we repeat it every mass... Why? Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 24 - Monday

Today's Gospel is about an encounter between Philip, Jesus, and Nathaniel. As always, God takes the lead. Feast of Saint Bartholomew

Saint Ignatius offers guidelines for the discernment of spirits in his spiritual writings. If I could add one thing with confidence thus far, it would be the simple reminder in this homily. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 17 - Saturday

This homily was given to high school freshman at the end of their orientation. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 17 - Friday

We can easily get lulled into one extreme or another when it comes to accepting others. Jesus wants to free us to love others just as he has loved us. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 13

Jesus speaks with metaphor about how the body is illumined or darkened by what we believe to be out there in the world - and tracking how different worldviews perceive meaning can help us understand our own perspective. Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 11 - Friday

Sometimes we tell lies to avoid a storm, but it erodes our integrity and becomes self-defeating. Jesus gives us the best reason not to do so. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 12

Like an expectedly intense liturgist, Jesus unexpectedly draws our attention to sacred spaces. How much do I do to maintain my own? Year 1 - Ordinary Time - Week 08

Jesus points Peter three times beyond himself, and, Saint Philip Neri, who is celebrated on this memorial, is one example of what that can look like. Memorial of Saint Philip Neri Easter - Week 07 - Friday

God has judged the world and in response He gave his only Son. Year A - Ordinary Time - Week 09

Jesus didn't want us creating more division or setting ourselves against each other, that's why he had to leave. The unity Jesus wants is Catholic, universal. Solemnity of the Ascension

Jesus teaches us a small lesson on how to respond to those whose betrayal is pending. It is a small lesson to learn, but very difficult lesson to practice. Easter - Week 05 - Thursday

Jesus refers to an often-heard and often-misunderstood or not-understood phrase in today's reading. This homily is a bit of unpacking of that phrase. Year A - Easter - Week 05

Jesus claims that the sheep know the voice of the good shepherd... So what is that good shepherd like? Easter - Week 04 - Sunday

People have difficulty recognizing Jesus after his resurrection. Is it because he wears disguises or they are missing something that has always been evident? Year A - Easter - Week 03

What exactly did Thomas doubt and was the doubt the real issue? Easter - Week 02 - Divine Mercy Sunday

Who tells the story of the the salvation of the world? Easter Sunday

Saying farewell well is always worth the trouble, even with the smallest things. And Jesus isn't bothered by the process in the least. Holy Week - Monday