This reflection is based on Mark 5:21-43.
Today we witness two healing miracles of Jesus, one properly solicited, the other virtually stolen. The synagogue official, Jairus, worried sick over his dying daughter, pleads with the Lord to come to his home and lay his healing hands upon her that she “may get well and live.” An unnamed woman with a twenty-year hemorrhage quietly pushes her way through the crowd and reaches out to touch Jesus. “If I but touch his clothes!” her simple faith tells her.
This reflection is based on Mark 4:35-41.
The gospel story about Jesus stilling the storm at sea takes on new significance with the recent release of Pope Francis’ much-awaited encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si. The Pope minces no words and spells it out for us. It is not easy to hear. Listen:
“The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.”
This homily is based on Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
The intersection of Zhongxiao East Road and Dunhua South Road is probably one of the busiest in Taipei. I visited the city last month, and so much has changed since the first time I had lived there twenty years ago. For one, there is a great MRT system, and maybe as a result, the roads now have fewer motorcycles.
But that intersection? It has remained as busy as ever: Pedestrians congregate around the corners waiting impatiently for the lights to change, and the moment they do, we race each other to cross the street as the traffic light countdown begins.
