Month: February 2008

“HAVE YOU EVER RUN AWAY FROM GOD?” (Lk 11:29-32):  13 February 2008 (Wednesday)

Today’s Readings

The TV series “Joan of Arcadia” is about some kind of modern-day Joan of Arc, Joan Girardi, a high school girl who, like the first Joan, can hear God speak, but more than that, actually bumps into him once in a while and gets to speak with him!  Of course It takes her a while before she actually gets used to the idea, especially because God looks different each time.  Part of the fun in watching “Joan of Arcadia,” in fact, is that you never know when and what form God will choose the next time he appears to Joan and what seemingly trivial task he will ask Joan to do (He calls them “errands.”). The task, of course, always turns out to be an important mission.

“HAVE YOU PRAYED WITHOUT COMMAS?” (Mt 6:7-15):  12 February 2008 (Tuesday)

Today’s Readings

One of the funniest books I’ve read in recent times—one of the very few, in fact, that have actually made me laugh out loud—is a little book called Traveling Merciesby Anne Lamott.  But this funny book is also one of the most deeply spiritual books I’ve read in years.

‘WHEN DID I SEE YOU NAKED?’ (Mt 25:31-46): 11 February 2008 (Monday)

Today’s Readings

I remember it like it happened yesterday.

One rainy afternoon ten years ago, I was walking on campus on the way to class when I saw her.  Even from a distance I already caught sight of her–an old woman standing in the rain and–I could have sworn–watching me.

As I approached her, I nodded a greeting.  When she murmured something under her breath before I could pass her, I stopped and turned, looking at her for the first time.  

‘WHAT’S YOUR DEMON’S NAME?’ (Mt 4:1-11):  10 February 2008 (First Sunday of Lent)

Today’s Readings

My most vivid images of the devil understandably come from the movies, and it’s amazing how the shape of the devil has evolved in the imagination of filmmakers through the years.   He has come a long way from the conventional red tights, horns, and tail.

The most recent significant appearance of the devil on film is found in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.”  Satan appears early on in the film as our Lord is shown going through his agony in the garden.  It is a most unconventional appearance:  You can’t tell if the devil is male or female.  Eyebrows shaved, he has a feminine face and a voice that is neither masculine nor feminine.  The best way I can think of describing this version of the devil is by comparing it to the lead vocalist of the 80’s band, Culture Club, Boy George–but without the make-up.

“HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR CHOICES?” (Lk 5:27-32): 09 February 2008 (Saturday after Ash Wednesday)

Today’s Readings

Today’s reading is about God’s choices, the type of people that God chooses and uses to do his work.

In the Gospel, our Lord chooses Matthew–a tax collector.  Tax collectors have never been anybody’s favorite characters.  Today, as before, they continue to be associated with graft and corruption.  However, at the time of our Lord, they were hated by the Jews for an additional reason:  Not only were they notorious for cheating the people that they taxed; but also, because the taxes they collected went to a foreign power, they were branded as traitors, as collaborators with Rome.