Connecting Point

Each weekend we share a question that relates to the readings of the day. This question or frame is a Connecting Point and allows us all to look inward and answer hard questions about ourselves.

Connecting Point: April 18, 2021

Posted on April 12, 2021

In this week’s Gospel from Luke, the two disciples discuss their encounter with Jesus. Jesus Christ stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” But the completely unexpected happened: something other than peace. In fact, the Apostles were Connecting Point: April 18, 2021

Connecting Point: April 11, 2021

Posted on April 5, 2021

Differences exist. We are all unique (and probably a little bit strange to others) and we have different viewpoints. However, what brings all of us Christians together is our love for and faith in Christ. When we come together for Connecting Point: April 11, 2021

Connecting Point: April 4, 2021

Posted on March 29, 2021

It is easy to get caught up in all the bad things we have experienced this past year. As we celebrate Easter, we are called to rise up and rise above it all. Before Jesus could rise above death, he Connecting Point: April 4, 2021

Connecting Point: March 28, 2021

Posted on March 22, 2021

Few would argue that we have been severely shaken in 2020. The Corona virus pandemic has turned lives upside down and inside out all over the world. Ironically, 2020 is also the designation for optimal clearness and sharpness of vision. Connecting Point: March 28, 2021

Connecting Point: March 21, 2021

Posted on March 15, 2021

How can you and I create a prayer out of our pain? And even more, surrender it to God? We know Jesus surrendered Himself to God for forgiveness of our sins. But we are not Jesus. No, we are people Connecting Point: March 21, 2021

Connecting Point: March 14, 2021

Posted on March 8, 2021

I think one of the most difficult things to do as a disciple of Christ is to look at ourselves and admit our shortcomings. It’s a second type of conversion almost in a person’s life; when we begin to accept Connecting Point: March 14, 2021

Connecting Point: March 7, 2021

Posted on March 1, 2021

Today’s gospel takes us with Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus sees God’s house turned into a marketplace before the upcoming Passover. The Temple, a beloved holy place, has been turned from a sacred place Connecting Point: March 7, 2021

Connecting Point: February 28, 2021

Posted on February 22, 2021

As followers of Christ, tests of our faith come to challenge us from all around. They come from family members, friends, politicians, community leaders and from our workplaces. These influences can challenge our faith. We see an extreme example in Connecting Point: February 28, 2021

Connecting Point: February 21, 2021

Posted on February 15, 2021

Besides God and humans, wood and water are big players in our Biblical salvation narratives. Water and trees are most usually our friends. “Tree-hugging” people are correct when reminding us that without trees and other plants which convert carbon dioxide Connecting Point: February 21, 2021

Connecting Point: February 14, 2021

Posted on February 8, 2021

I have had the honor of meeting many faith-filled people over the years, it is one of the many blessings of being a long tenured Church employee. Each week hundreds of people (pre-COVID, it used to be thousands) enter our Connecting Point: February 14, 2021

Connecting Point: February 7, 2021

Posted on February 1, 2021

While celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation, sometimes the penitent confesses “being angry with God” as though “being angry with God” and expressing that anger is a sin. I often get angry with God myself. As we see in Sunday’s reading Connecting Point: February 7, 2021

Connecting Point: January 31, 2021

Posted on January 25, 2021

How can we not help but feel anxious in our current environment? We have been living in a pandemic for nearly a year now which has claimed the life of over 400,000 people in our country. We are living at Connecting Point: January 31, 2021

Connecting Point: January 24, 2021

Posted on January 18, 2021

Freshman year of undergrad at O.U., I was planning to major in Communications/Pre-Law curriculum, but God had other plans for me. Although music had always been a part of my life, I did not consider music work (or even remotely Connecting Point: January 24, 2021

Connecting Point: January 17, 2021

Posted on January 11, 2021

Sometimes you find your inspiration for a homily in the strangest of places. Like the 80’s music on satellite radio. Singing along with Lionel Richie, the lyrics to “Hello, it’s me” became the basis for this reflection. Jesus goes into Connecting Point: January 17, 2021

Connecting Point: January 10, 2021

Posted on January 4, 2021

Today’s readings draw us, as witnesses, into the baptism of Jesus and the promise of God’s kingdom. It is interesting that this gospel is on the last Sunday of the Christmas liturgical season. Next week we will move to Ordinary Connecting Point: January 10, 2021

Connecting Point: January 3, 2021

Posted on December 28, 2020

This week’s Gospel from Matthew reveals the birth of the Messiah and the Feast of the Epiphany. The magi have arrived in Jerusalem, and after seeing the prophesized star, wonder where the newborn king lay. King Herod, troubled by the Connecting Point: January 3, 2021

Connecting Point: December 27, 2020

Posted on December 26, 2020

Sometimes we treat others in our family with less respect than we know that we should. This could be due to stress and busyness, having a bad day, or because of something we feel they did to us. Regardless of Connecting Point: December 27, 2020

Connecting Point: December 25, 2020

Posted on December 20, 2020

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown Isaiah 9:1 This verse is the beginning of our First Scripture Reading at our Christmas Mass, at Connecting Point: December 25, 2020

Connecting Point: December 20, 2020

Posted on December 14, 2020

In the Gospel this weekend, Mary responds with an emphatic “Yes!” when the angel Gabriel alerts her of God’s plan. She was clearly well prepared to say yes when called upon. How can we be so well prepared to say Connecting Point: December 20, 2020

Connecting Point: December 13, 2020

Posted on December 7, 2020

The third weekend of Advent is upon us and is known as Gaudete Sunday. It signals the approach of Joy for the Christmas Season, the birth of our Lord, and awaiting his return. Watch at the beginning of mass and Connecting Point: December 13, 2020

Connecting Point: December 6, 2020

Posted on November 30, 2020

Advent is a season of preparation. We deck the halls of our homes and prepare festive meals for celebrations of Christmas. As Catholics, our Advent scriptures call us into a deeper internal spiritual preparation for the time or revelation when Connecting Point: December 6, 2020

Connecting Point: November 29, 2020

Posted on November 23, 2020

As we enter this new liturgical year, we cannot help but become reluctantly excited for Christmas that is now just four weeks away. However, during this season of preparation, we are reminded that we aren’t just preparing to meet Jesus Connecting Point: November 29, 2020

Connecting Point: November 22, 2020

Posted on November 16, 2020

Many of us have watched an episode of “Undercover Boss.” The show has the CEO or owner of the company disguise themselves as a new employee assigned to learn different aspects of someone’s job. After a few weeks on the Connecting Point: November 22, 2020

Connecting Point: November 15, 2020

Posted on November 9, 2020

During pre-marriage counseling, engaged couples, when discussing their plan for children, sometimes say: “We want to have just one or two children. We do not want to have to spread our love out over many children.” However, these couples have Connecting Point: November 15, 2020

Connecting Point: November 8, 2020

Posted on November 2, 2020

Actually my first thought for this question is, for what? Am I ready for what? These past few months have really challenged us to prepare ourselves to be ready. We need to be ready for the kids to go back to Connecting Point: November 8, 2020

Connecting Point: November 1, 2020

Posted on October 26, 2020

When is the last time you realized that sainthood was your destiny? Read that again, sainthood is your destiny! The Lord wants each and every one of us to live holy lives, lives of saints. In the early 20th Connecting Point: November 1, 2020

Connecting Point: October 18, 2020

Posted on October 12, 2020

Everyday we are faced with decisions. Some may be easy, like what to eat for dinner or where am I going today? They may cause us some difficulty like how we respond to another’s negative actions. There are times we will have to Connecting Point: October 18, 2020

Connecting Point: October 11, 2020

Posted on October 5, 2020

I know it, but I don’t always live it like I know it. In The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis writes, “While painfully aware of our own frailties, we have to march on without giving in.” Recent times have Connecting Point: October 11, 2020

Connecting Point: October 4, 2020

Posted on September 28, 2020

It’s hard not to feel anxious right now given the state of the world. It can be anxiety about the health of loved ones, the status of our jobs, the political climate, racial tensions, virtual and in-person schooling, and so Connecting Point: October 4, 2020

Connecting Point: September 27, 2020

Posted on September 22, 2020

This Sunday’s gospel reading wraps us up in the parable given by Jesus of the “Two Sons.” This parable is meant to make us stop and think about our words and our actions. The second reading by Paul to the Connecting Point: September 27, 2020

Connecting Point: September 20, 2020

Posted on September 14, 2020

Growing up with 5 boys in our family, we wore plenty of “hand me down” clothes. We saw a pattern in the way the oldest were treated. Jim, number 4, seemed to get preferential treatment. The oldest 3 would wear Connecting Point: September 20, 2020

Connecting Point: September 13, 2020

Posted on September 7, 2020

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Peter asks Jesus: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” He is really asking: “When does forgiveness end, and retaliation begin,” or “When can I start paying Connecting Point: September 13, 2020

Connecting Point: September 6, 2020

Posted on August 31, 2020

If you are like me, you have noticed that disagreements rarely if ever, get settled on Facebook or other social media platforms. Likewise, pundits rarely if ever, reach agreement when featured on discussion panels. I think one could argue that many, if Connecting Point: September 6, 2020

Connecting Point: August 30, 2020

Posted on August 24, 2020

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”MT 16:24 In the Gospel today, Jesus speaks to Peter and his disciples instructing them to take up their crosses. To take up your cross sounds Connecting Point: August 30, 2020

Connecting Point: August 23, 2020

Posted on August 17, 2020

Jesus asks his disciples who do people say that he is. The answer he receives is that many do not know who he truly is. When he asks his own followers, it is Peter who answers first. This answer is critical because it Connecting Point: August 23, 2020

Connecting Point: August 16, 2020

Posted on August 11, 2020

Joyful, Faithful living with accompaniment. There is so much conflict in the world, so much mis-trust, and we who are quick to judge sometimes give into our superior attitudes and opinions. Our judgement of others is far too easy and Connecting Point: August 16, 2020

Connecting Point: August 9, 2020

Posted on August 3, 2020

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus sends Peter and the disciples out on a boat while he prays alone. During the night, the boat is caught in a storm being violently tossed at sea. Jesus walks out to them on the Connecting Point: August 9, 2020

Connecting Point: August 2, 2020

Posted on July 27, 2020

In the First Reading today we hear the message, “All who are thirsty, come to the water!” We love the refreshing water during the hot summer months. The water gives us great satisfaction but how often do we mistake that satisfaction Connecting Point: August 2, 2020

Connecting Point: July 26, 2020

Posted on July 20, 2020

“How do I distinguish right from wrong?” Every one of us, at some time in our life, was caught “stretching” the truth. As a child, I came from a family of five boys. This seemed to provide untold opportunities to Connecting Point: July 26, 2020

CONNECTING POINT: JULY 12, 2020

Posted on July 6, 2020

This Sunday’s Gospel is the parable of the farmer who lavishly sows seed everywhere: not only on good soil which will bring forth an abundant harvest, but also on a well-worn path where birds can eat them; on rocky ground CONNECTING POINT: JULY 12, 2020

CONNECTING POINT: JULY 5, 2020

Posted on June 29, 2020

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he proclaims that “if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” What is Paul trying to CONNECTING POINT: JULY 5, 2020

CONNECTING POINT: JUNE 21, 2020

Posted on June 15, 2020

This week’s connecting point Jesus is giving his disciples a pep talk. He knows the journey he is preparing them for is a tough one. Proclaiming Jesus’ Gospel message will be difficult for them as they will face persecution, CONNECTING POINT: JUNE 21, 2020

CONNECTING POINT: JUNE 14, 2020

Posted on June 8, 2020

The source and summit of all we do and are to be as Catholic Christians is the Holy Eucharist. Unfortunately, for so many of us, we are on an unwanted fast from the Eucharistic banquet at this time. Even if CONNECTING POINT: JUNE 14, 2020

CONNECTING POINT: JUNE 7, 2020

Posted on June 1, 2020

Which person of the Trinity draws me into God’s love and peace? Today’s reading brings us back to “Ordinary Time” after several weeks of celebrating the Easter Liturgical Season. When we hear the word “Ordinary,” we jump to the conclusion CONNECTING POINT: JUNE 7, 2020

Connecting Point: May 31, 2020

Posted on May 25, 2020

Pentecost is a celebration for many reasons: it marks the end of the Easter season, is the birthday of the Church, and reminds us of the power that the Spirit has on us, bestowing on us different gifts to strengthen Connecting Point: May 31, 2020

Connecting Point: May 24, 2020

Posted on May 18, 2020

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, we recognize the disciple’s confusion as Jesus leaves them for the last time. They are given a mission to spread the Good News about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Connecting Point: May 24, 2020

Connecting Point: May 17, 2020

Posted on May 11, 2020

“Always be ready to give an explanationto anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,but do it with gentleness and reverence,keeping your conscience clear”-1 Peter 3:15-16 This week’s Connecting Point is taken from the 2nd reading; 1st Peter, Connecting Point: May 17, 2020