In the Book of Ruth, our heroine stood by her mother-in-law Naomi when the whole world left them bereft. Whom would we go the extra mile for?

For 21 August 2023, Memorial of St. Pius X, based on 1 Thessalonians 2:2b-8

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, reflecting on Jesus as the calm amidst the storm of life.

A Word of Hope by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP
Moses talks to God face to face. How close do we want God to be to us?

Jesus's parables liken the Kingdom of Heaven to a tiny mustard seed that grows into a large bush and yeast, which grows to fill the dough. Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP points out that in both of these, the Kingdom grows from something small over time, so that we have to be patient and let the Kingdom grow around and within us.

In a pivotal moment of salvation history, God reveals the Divine Name to Moses, the great "I AM". But Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP points out that Moses was just looking for a way out.

God called Moses in the Burning Bush and challenged Moses to trust that he would accomplish all that God wanted. In the same way, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP asks us to trust God first, knowing that we might not get an affirmation that we are on the right path until our work for God is completed.

For 16 July 2023, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, based on Matthew 13:1–23

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP unpacks the readings for the Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, with its classic reading, "Come to me all who labor and are burdened, and I shall give you rest." Fr. Scott interprets this using the first reading from the prophet Zechariah, who speaks of a humble saviour, who does not come on a war horse, but on the foal of a donkey, and banishes all of the instruments of war. Embracing this saviour brings peace.

God credited Abram's faith as an act of righteousness. Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP asks us to think if we put our faith in God, and do we have faith in others? If so, tell them, and watch the blessings grow.