Gospel, Homily and Coffee

How did we survive without our phones?  How did we ever get around without our map apps? I would still be lost in Rome if it were not for those apps. Think about this...When we call an Uber or Lyft, what is the first question we are asked? “Where are you? Where do you want to be picked up at?”  A great question, “Where are we?” I know, we are at Our Lady of the Snows parish, 1138 Wright St. Reno Nevada 89509.  But “Where are we?” In our hearts and in our minds? As individuals and as a community, a church All of our lives are a journey. Conversion into the fullness of who we are as persons is a lifelong process. See, it’s not about being the “Best uber Catholic” But even deeper, about being a true human person.  During Lent we especially focus on that journey, and Lent is an opportunity to pause; to consider where we are and what seems to be the direction we are going in.  Maybe we have no sense of direction whatsoever? No clue where we are; just sort of feel aimless.

In the movie from the 80’s “Ferris Bueller’s Day off”, a great scene for me was at the Art Institute of Chicago where Cameron contemplated that great work, “Sunday in the Park with George”. This is a masterpiece in pointillism; a huge painting that from a distance looks intact, whole and tells a story, but viewed up close is a series of colored points. It’s an amazing piece of artwork. In the 17th century Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuvenhoek placed a drop of water into a new device called a microscope and he saw tiny little creatures swimming in water that beforehand had never been seen. This led to a new understanding of germs and how life existed. Our lives can be transformed, depending on our range of visión. Sacramental theology, our belief in sacraments is amazing.  The brief but concise definition of a sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible reality. We use things and words to signify that something else is also occurring, and that reality is not per

Our Director of Youth Ministry for the diocese recently returned from a national conference. A topic of discussion was the extent of “isolation” our young persons are reporting. It has increased into levels that are quite disturbing. Anecdotally youth ministers also speak of their retreats and the number of teens who are trying to deal with emotional issues; depression, anger management, cutting. At a recent school board meeting, the matter of emotional health was also raised, and we talked about this growing need. People are hurting. Young people, very young people and also from my vantage spot, a lot of not so young people: People are hurting. Some will blame parents, grandparents, the technological matters. Some blame our society and its quick pace and the pressure to succeed, the need to have to work to be able to afford to have a semi-comfortable life. I live with depression. It is part of who I am. The other day a couple of us adults were also sharing o

When and where is the greatness of our Catholic Faith revealed?  Is it found within the magnificent basilicas, cathedrals, churches, monasteries and convents built by the people over these 2000 years?  Is it the incredible artwork, sculptures and music that fill them Where and when have we witnessed the glory of our Catholic Church? It is when and where one of us truly forgives someone who has hurt us; and when and where we accept forgiveness after hurting another. It is when and where our compassion makes us reach out to those who are hurting. It is when and where our generosity lifts others from poverty and despair. The greatness resides at 4th and Valley, where and when people are fed and cared for, shown their dignity, where and when people work to change our community for the good. A powerful podcast was released in early January, called “Plague: the untold story of the Catholic Church and the AIDS crisis”. It recounts how men and women, lay