Modern psychology has come to understand that rather than letting go, grief is best healed through remembering. The Church has always known this truth. The Feasts of All Saints and All Souls provide rituals to help remember, and to assure us with the hope that those we have loved and lost live in the hands of a loving God.

Blessings,

Father Dan

Jesus tells a parable in this week's Gospel about two men -- one who finds his identity in who he is and what he's done. The other realizes he's at a dead end. The first man surrounds himself with a fence of success, the other can only rely on mercy. Jesus asks us to set aside all the barriers we set up of busyness, success, accomplishment. At the end we all are like the one who came to understand his need, or like the criminal crucified next to Jesus. All we can bring at the end of the day is our desire to receive grace. Jesus, have mercy. Jesus, remember me.

Blessings,

Father Mark

The parable of the persistent widow, in this week’s Gospel, has traditionally been understood to invite us to be persistent in prayer. What if a hidden truth of this parable is that we should actively listen to God‘s prayer for us?

Blessings,

Father Dan

Jesus heals 10 people in our Gospel story this week. One comes back to thank him, 9 forget. What have you forgotten to be thankful for?

Blessings,

Father Mark

There is a question at the heart of our reading from the Prophet Habakkuk: How do we remain faithful in dark times?

Blessings,

Father Dan