Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
Today’s Gospel deals with another one of the most challenging demands of discipleship, that being forgiveness. None of us gets through life without being hurt by others. How do we deal with these hurts? They can provide us with an opportunity to grow, or they can become a stumbling ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
Today’s Gospel account speaks of a very practical issue: how to act when someone treats us badly. This has been a problem since the formation of the early Church. The Gospel gives us a way of handling such situations. First of all, let’s take a look at the way ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
We heard one of the more uncomfortable demands of discipleship in today’s Gospel account. Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny oneself, take up one’s cross, and follow me.” Unfortunately the word “cross” has been softened, so that the saying of Jesus has lost its force. ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
Today’s Gospel account shows that the Apostle Peter held a place of primacy early on. Peter is one of the most interesting characters in the Gospel. He shows that he possesses leadership qualities but also glaring weaknesses. At times, Peter is filled with courage; other times he shows a ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
The Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel was an outsider. Yet she had tremendous courage and faith in approaching Jesus. She is a reminder to all of us of the mercy and compassion of God, and how God looks into the heart of the person and does not judge by appearance.
Once upon a time a group of people gathered outside the gates of heaven. They were upright, respectable, God-fearing people. Down on earth they had moved in the same business and social circles. As they stood around waiting for St. Peter to open the gates, they exchanged friendly greetings: “Thank God you made it, John.” “So good to see you, Mary!” and so ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
If we were to take today’s Gospel account literally it would have little or no relevance for us. Scripture scholars tell us that Matthew wants the story to be taking symbolically. If we do that, then we can see how we fit into the story and it is relevant ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
The multiplication of the loaves and fish could be called a miracle of generosity. First, there is the generosity of the boy, who, with his gift, made the miracle possible. What may appear as a small thing was, in reality, a big thing as the boy gave all that ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
There is a story told about a poor tailor who lived in Krakow. He was a very pious man. One night he had a dream in which a voice said to him, “If you go to Prague and dig beneath a certain tree behind the emperor’s castle, you will ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
The farmer in Jesus' parable sowed good seed in his field and expected a bumper harvest. Soon the sturdy green shoots sprang up, covering the field from one end to the other. It appeared that the farmer's expectations would be realized.
However, one morning he discovered weeds growing among ... Read More »
Posted by Fr Dennis Wieland
The Gospels contain many parables. Jesus’ favorite method of teaching was using parables. In doing so, he was following the tradition of the rabbis at the time. Why was teaching in parables so important and fruitful?
Once there was a famous rabbi who loved to illustrate a truth by ... Read More »