On March 19th we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, protector of the Church, patron saint of workers and the foster father of Jesus. When we consider the responsibilities of fatherhood, and of foster fatherhood in particular, we see similarities between the great St. Joseph and the fictional character Uncle Ben Parker from the Spider-Man franchise.  “Peter, these are the years when a man changes into the man he is going to become the rest of his life. Just be careful who you change into. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility.” Uncle Ben Parker, Spider-Man (2002) Thoug ..read more

“People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy, and I can’t do that as Bruce Wayne. As a man, I’m flesh and blood; I can be ignored, I can be destroyed. But as a symbol … as a symbol I can be incorruptible. I can be everlasting.” Bruce Wayne, Batman Begins In Batman Begins, after spending several years living the life of a criminal and training with the League of Shadows, Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City. He realizes he can’t fight the criminals who control the city as himself. He must become something else. A symbol.  Google says a symbol is “a thing that represents or sta ..read more

Salve! “The one you love is ill” Today’s Readings, March 29, 2020 When Jesus learns Lazarus is sick, he does not rush to heal him. Instead, he spends two more days where he is before departing with his disciples to go to Lazarus in the town of Bethany. As they depart for Bethany, Jesus tells his disciples Lazarus is dead and says, “I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe.”  “Believe in what?” you might ask. By this time, the disciples have seen Jesus heal the sick, multiply the loaves and walk on water. What is there left to believe about Jesus? Was Jesus’ dela ..read more

Salve! “I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me” Today’s Readings, March 27, 2020 Both readings today show that the one who follows God will be tested, persecuted, and plotted against by those who are blinded by sin.  The Book of Wisdom says, “Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings … [M]erely to see him is a hardship for us … With revilement and torture let us put him to the test … Let us condemn him to a shameful death … These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, and they knew not th ..read more

Salve! “You do not want to come to me to have life” Today’s Readings, March 26, 2020 In today’s Gospel, it is almost as if Jesus is invisible to the Jewish leaders. It is like he is telling them, “Here I am! You are looking everywhere, but what you are looking for is right in front of you! I’m here! Hello?”  Jesus’ words and works come from the Father, but his adversaries don’t recognize him. They look to the Scriptures and to Moses for answers. Though the Scriptures prefigure Jesus, the Jewish leaders are blind. Jesus is a gift, but they refuse him. They make a conscious choice to ..read more

Salve! Today’s Readings, March 25, 2020 Happy Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord! Today we celebrate Jesus’ Incarnation. Jesus, who is God, humbled himself and took on human flesh, thereby divinizing humanity (elevating it, making it Godly). If there was ever a feast day that exemplifies the goodness of the material world, this is it.  Some might believe that matter is bad and spirit is good. That has never been the Catholic understanding of the cosmos. The material world, including human flesh, is good because God made it, yet it is fallen because of original sin. When our bod ..read more

Salve! “Do you want to be well?” Today’s Readings, March 24, 2020 Water is prominent in today’s readings. Water is a symbol of life, power, blessing and spiritual refreshment in the Sacred Scriptures.  The Mass Entrance Antiphon says, “All who are thirsty, come to the waters, says the Lord. Though you have no money, come and drink with joy.”  In the first reading Ezekiel has a vision of water flowing from the Temple. On one side of the Temple, the water that flows is so high that it becomes a river which can only be crossed by swimming.  In the Gospel reading, a crippled man ..read more

Today’s Readings, March 23, 2020 I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me Today, the psalmist gives thanks for deliverance from his enemies and for God raising him up from the pit. Though he realizes there will be a time of darkness, nightfall and weeping, the psalmist also believes there will be a time of light, dawn and rejoicing – that the Lord will turn the psalmist’s mourning into dancing. And so, he praises and thanks God forever.  [From Saint Joseph Edition of The New American Bible] The “pit” is a reference to the underworld (“nether world”), the world of the dead ..read more

Salve! Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep; for today is holy to our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength. ~ Nehemiah 8:9, 10, Divine Office Morning Prayer, Fourth Sunday of Lent Happy Laetare Sunday! Rejoice!  Given the circumstances we are in, you may wonder. “What is there to rejoice about?” If we only watch the news, then it is right to ask this question. There is not a lot to rejoice about on the news. But is the news all there is? Is the news the light that guides us? In today’s first reading (1 Sam ..read more

Avengers: End Game spoilers ahead! In Avengers: Endgame Thor is a physical and emotional mess. He has turned to abusing food, alcohol and video games to cope with the overwhelming anguish he feels after Thanos kills half of the people in the universe, including many of his friends. Notwithstanding his weak state, Thor travels with Rocket to Asgard of the past to retrieve one of the Infinity Stones. While he is there, he encounters his mother, Queen Frigga. Thor knows Frigga will be murdered that same day and is paralyzed by grief. During a tender scene, the hero despairs over his failur ..read more