The Arrow's Path

     The Mass readings for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time delve into the nature of human relationships, particularly the sacrament of marriage, and the divine intention behind human companionship. Together, these passages weave a narrative that emphasizes the sanctity of relationships, the dignity of humanity, and the call to love in a manner that reflects God's own love for us.     In Genesis 2:18-24, we encounter the creation of woman as a companion for man. The text reveals God’s intention in creating humanity: “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” This declaration highlights the relational aspect of human existence, emphasizing that solitude is contrary to God’s design. The creation of Eve from Adam’s rib symbolizes equality and intimacy, establishing a partnership that is meant to be deeply connected. The passage culminates in the profound statement that “a man shall leave his father and mother and be ...

     Something a bit different today than my normal reflections. I thought I would delve a little bit more into a topic that is not necessarily theological in nature. I am a real person, and not some ethereal doctor in an ivory tower who gets to smoke a pipe and contemplate the infinite mysteries all day. So, today, I thought I would delve into one of my personal hobbies: board gaming.      Now, do not tune me out because you hear "board gaming" and immediately default in your brain to your brother overturning a table with Monopoly money flying everywhere because the game has gone on for hours and overturning the table was the only option left other than murder. Most people, including myself at one time, thought of board games as those boring or frustrating games that seem stuck in 1952. You know the usual suspects: Clue!, Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, maybe even more saccharine games like Life or Candy Land, i.e. those games that everyone owned at some p...

Found this little news article on the BBC. Sarco Pods...you can't make this up.

                The readings for our Patronal feast illuminate the importance of divine protection, particularly as exemplified through St. Michael the Archangel. Each passage reveals aspects of God’s faithfulness, the struggle against evil, and the assurance of His safeguarding presence, culminating in a deeper understanding of why St. Michael is invoked for protection.                 In Deuteronomy 7:9-10, we are reminded of God’s covenantal faithfulness: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments.” This passage highlights the nature of God as a protector and a faithful guardian of His people. The assurance that God will repay those who hate Him serves as a stark reminder of the moral order and the consequences of turning away from God. H...

     Americans pride themselves on being ruggedly independent. The refrain from today’s Psalm speaks to the theme of this week’s Bible readings for Mass by reminding us of how it is really God who upholds our lives. Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the divine sustenance that God provides among the challenges and complexities of life by encouraging us to seek wisdom, cultivate peace, and embrace humility.      In Wisdom 2:12, 17-20, we encounter a stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The passage reveals the hostility that the righteous often face from those who reject God’s ways. The wicked plot against the just, proclaiming, “Let us lie in wait for the righteous, because he is inconvenient to us.” Yet, the message from the Book of Wisdom is that we can be assured that God upholds the righteous, even in the face of persecution. The righteous person, who seeks to live according to God’s will, is ultimately sustained by divine providen...

 We had a question in the Facebook group I moderate to the effect of the Bible word for Baptism always means full immersion in Baptism. This person added this little internet meme to accent his point: My response was this: Well, this meme here is overly simplistic as to the meaning in Greek. The word, as many words do both now and back then, can have multiple meanings depending on the usage. Yes, βαπτίζω can mean to fully submerge. However, there are times in Ancient Greek in non-Biblical sources where the word is clearly used in other ways. The perfect example in Nicander, who was a physician/poet/philosopher type around 200 BC. We still have some of his works. Sadly, some of his writings have been lost to time, namely the Heteroeumena. We sort of know a little about it as Ovid references part of it in Metamorphoses, but that’s neither here nor there. Nicander was, much like Aristotle, also a practical writer. What’s most interesting about Nicander is we have his 2 nd century ...

     Who exactly was Jesus of Nazareth? Today’s Mass readings for Sunday, September, 15th, speak to the profound theme of Jesus’ identity and the implications of that identity for our lives as followers of Christ. Jesus poses a profound question about Himself when he asks, “Whom do people say that I am?” This question serves as a pivotal moment in understanding not only who Jesus is but also what it means to live out our faith in response to that identity.      In Isaiah 50:5-9, the servant of the Lord speaks of his mission and his unwavering commitment to God’s call, despite facing opposition and suffering. The passage begins with the servant stating, “The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.” This declaration highlights the servant's obedience and readiness to fulfill God’s purpose, even in the face of adversity. The servant embodies the identity of one who is chosen and sustained by God, demonstrating that true ...

Police brutality and misconduct is a scary and hard problem. I think a lot of law enforcement are good people who are trying to do the best they can in a thankless job. It is the bad ones that give everyone a bad name. What I do have problems with is police being used as paramilitary combatants and not as peace officers. That shift has not been for the better in American and world culture. There is a guy on Youtube who is an ex-con. He was at one time a violent dude. He is still a very salty dude, but his heart is in the right place. He has some very good things to say about prison and police reform, particularly in this video that are worth hearing and saying:

     Today’s Mass readings lead us to reflect on the theme of praising the Lord, particularly in the context of His transformative power, and the call to recognize His presence in our lives and in the lives of others.     In Isaiah 35:4-7a, the prophet speaks words of comfort and hope to a people in distress. He proclaims, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” This promise of salvation is a profound reason to praise the Lord. The imagery of healing and restoration that follows—where the blind see, the deaf hear, and the lame leap—reflects God's active involvement in the world. It is a vivid reminder that God is not distant; He is present and engaged in the lives of His people, bringing about renewal and joy. The transformation of the natural world serves as a metaphor for the spiritual renewal God offers. When we recognize His saving actions in our lives, we are compell...

 An excellent, if nauseating, article about the Church and the New Liturgy reforms of the 1960s and 1970s. Kudos for an excellent citation of primary source quotes from "liturgical experts" of the time, but, mercy, it makes me physically ill to read through this article .  What a form a group think madness that era was.