Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
When it comes to correcting people, the kind of approach we take is very important. If we approach them only to confront them with their faults, most likely nothing will be accomplished. In fact, matters will be worse as the person most likely will become resentful, and harden their heart.
We have to approach people in such a way that we show them that we believe in them, accept them, and have confidence in them. The result of this is that they drop their guard and are willing to open up. This is what happened to Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
The Pharisee in today’s Gospel
account was unaware of his own sinfulness. In reality, he didn’t think he had any sins at all. He declared that he wasn’t a sinner “like the rest of humanity.” Instead of examining his own conscience and confessing his sins, he examined the conscience ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
The thought behind today’s Gospel account is perseverance in prayer. So often when people go to God in prayer they are focused on themselves. After all, it’s all about me and what I want. Right?
Well that is not genuine prayer. Genuine prayer is asking God to conform our ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
We are very familiar with today’s Gospel account of the healing of the 10 lepers. We think, how sad that only one returned to give thanks to Jesus for healing him of a disease that separated him from his family, his social community, and being able to worship in ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
Faith is the greatest gift we possess and with the passing of time it becomes strong and sustaining. To possess a confident faith is a tremendous blessing. For it is only faith that can answer the most profound questions of life or make sense out of some of the mysteries of life.
Without faith, ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
The rich man and Lazarus lived in very different worlds. The rich man dressed in purple robes; Lazarus was dressed in rags. One ate splendidly every day; the other didn’t eat at all.
One was healthy; the other covered with sores. The rich man lived in a palace; Lazarus ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
I would like to share with you some excerpts from an editorial in the September 1-7 issue of the Our Sunday Visitor newspaper regarding belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I found it to be very disturbing in light of the truth about the central ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
When hearing the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, one might be tempted to raise the question: why did the shepherd make such a big deal out of losing one sheep when he still had ninety-nine remaining? Or, why did the woman turn her house upside ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel account can be quite unsettling. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Anyone of you who does not renounce all one’s possessions cannot be my disciple.”
Jesus did not hide the reality from his disciples ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
Today’s Gospel account tells us of Jesus being invited to a dinner at the house of a leading Pharisee. All eyes were on him when he arrived and, in return, Jesus was watching their behavior. The Pharisees were very religious people, and set themselves up as role models. Yet ... Read More »