Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52 Preacher: Irene Goodwin When some of us were young our religious training mainly consisted of memorizing answers to questions. One of the questions asked was: “Where is God?”  Our answer was, “God is everywhere.”  To a young seven-year-old this was quite an intimidating image.  A God-like figure hovering about watching all we… read more →

Readings: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler The first time I reflected on these readings, I was overwhelmed with a sense of God’s great love for each of us. This God that Wisdom tells us cares for all. Twice emphasizing that God is lenient. Our psalm sings of a God who is loving and forgiving.  Slow… read more →

Readings: Isaiah 55: 10-11; Romans 8: 18-23; Matthew 13: 1-23 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino Have you ever felt at a loss?  Not sure which way to turn?  So did St. Paul, it seems, as he groaned over human suffering.  Surely there must be a way through this mess!  We know it’s not magic.  But, what is the answer?  Come, take a look… read more →

Readings: Zechariah 9: 9-10; Romans 8: 9, 11-13; Matthew 11: 25-30 Preacher: Deni Mack Jesus invites us to come to him when we are heavily burdened. Rochester is burdened with smoke so heavy we are advised to stay inside or limit our time outside and wear a mask. I listened to eleven young adults talk about the air quality alerts.  First,… read more →

Readings: 2 Kings 4: 8-11, 14-26a; Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10: 37-42 Preacher: Susan K. Roll Pastoral ministry can be discouraging, whether lay or professional.  Sometimes we set ourselves up for frustration.  When I was teaching at a Roman Catholic seminary, I told seminarians, “You will be called to accompany people who are in pain,  people who angrily question God,… read more →

Readings: Jeremiah 20: 10-13; Romans 5: 12-15; Matthew 10: 26-33 Preacher: Deni Mack Jesus said to the twelve and to us: Fear no one.  Jesus’ advice to his disciples is not what we say to our kids going off to college or to our staffs or colleagues or task forces or friends.   To our college bound children, we might say, “make good… read more →

Readings: Exodus 19: 2-6a; Romans 5: 6-11; Matthew 9:36-10:8 Preacher: Sr. Karen Dietz I grew up in a house of four girls (yep – no brothers) and two stories come to mind as I pray with the readings for today. The first is that like many parents, my mom sometimes called us by a name not our own. When I asked… read more →

Readings: Deuteronomy 8: 2-3, 14b-16a; 1 Corinthians 10: 16-17; John 6: 51-58 Preacher: Sr. Joan Sobala Today, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, I can’t help praying that this feast will touch each of us  deeply with Jesus’ very own depth of generous loving and self-giving. But the story of generous nourishment of God’s people began many centuries… read more →

Readings: Exodus 34:4b-6,8-9; 1 Corinthians 13: 11-13; John 3: 16-18 Preacher: Sr, Barbara Moore RSM The feast of Easter is followed by three important Sunday celebrations.  Last week we focused on Pentecost, today the Trinity and next week, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, often referred to as the feast of Corpus Christi. As we reflect on these celebrations,… read more →

Readings: Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13; John 20: 19-23 Preacher: Sheryl Zabel Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit to Jesus’ first followers, and their enthusiastic proclamation of the gospel to the people of Jerusalem, as well as the crowds of pilgrims who were there for a harvest festival.   Christians have followed the writings of Luke, which state… read more →