Peter is more prominent in Matthew than in any other Gospel Along with Mt 16 16-19 the promise to Peter and 17 24-27 the temple tax today rsquo s Gospel is one of three distinctive Petrine episodes Throughout these Peter rsquo s faith is a gift from God that is tested by suffering and doubt

Who forgot the mustard Such pleas often punctuate summer cookouts and picnics in the park The Gospel though not exactly describing a picnic on the Galilean hills tells of Jesus meeting the needs of hungry followers nbsp Matthew alternates in his presentation of Jesus between stories about his

Marian feasts season the liturgical calendar as the Assumption falls in the middle of Ordinary Time Though rooted in ancient tradition especially the Eastern tradition of the ldquo Dormition of Mary rdquo this celebration unlike the Annunciation the Visitation and Our Lady of Sorrows has no

This has got to stop Why doesn rsquo t somebody do something about this The refrains are heard from family kitchens to rec rooms of religious communities perhaps more frequently Jesus rsquo followers were no different Jesus compares God rsquo s kingdom to the work of a sower who sows good se

This Sunday concludes Jesus rsquo sermon in parables with three kingdom parables and a covert reference to the Evangelist himself The kingdom or better God rsquo s way of reigning is first compared to the joy of unexpected discovery of a treasure in a field which causes a person to sell everyt

Independence Day Parades streaming down main street band concerts of patriotic music fireworks displays cookoutsall celebrating the birth of a nation with paeans of praise for freedom democracy and military might With the memory of Sept 11 still fresh the celebrations will be bittersweet Ho