Several months ago, in a large New Jersey parish, the following note was slipped into the Sunday morning collection basket: Dear Pastor, In response to your recent sermon about Church […]
Opportunities For Usefulness Read More »
A rather portly pastor had been urged by several parishioners to lose weight. Finally, he decided to take their advice. His doctor gave him a detailed diet plan which he
Satisfy Your Hunger Read More »
A certain man had resisted driving a car until he retired at age 65. After obtaining his driver’s license, he ventured out onto a busy freeway for the first time.
The Most Awesome Thing Of All Read More »
Early in Matthew’s Gospel, it is written, “… any tree which fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire” (Mt. 3:10). These strong words
Father Murphy, a parish priest, was being honored at a dinner celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination. The scheduled principal speaker was a leading local politician and lawyer. He
It has been said that “following Jesus is like climbing a spiral staircase”: Sometimes it seems as though we are just circling around, getting nowhere. But then we notice that
Our Only Real Security Read More »
A confirmed bachelor and a married man were talking to each other about the pros and cons of family life. At one point in the conversation, the married man asked:
Look! They’re Moving! Read More »
A recent Washington Post feature article was headed, “God Speaks From Above.” The article described a national public service campaign in which messages from “God” are displayed on billboards and
There are many lasting truths about life that children learn on their own. Among them … No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptize cats. When your mom is
A right relationship with God grows and develops not merely by what we say or teach or promise. It’s what we do that matters most. And in today’s Gospel Lesson
When All Else Fails … Read More »
Grandpa and his six-year-old grandson went fishing together. It was the boy’s first experience as a fisherman and, when he made his first casting attempt, his line became a tangled
What Are We Looking For? Read More »
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. We are all born “wide-eyed,” so to speak. We delight in the enthusiastic wonder of an infant who hears
Run For Your Life! Read More »
A pious pastor who had been a teetotaler all his life, was invited to dinner by a new parishioner. “Would you gentlemen care for a drink?” the waiter asked. “I’ll
A Matter Of Choice Read More »
After having been found guilty of certain criminal offenses, the defendant stood before the sentencing judge … “Prisoner at the bar,” said the judge, “you have been found guilty on
In a “Peanuts” cartoon strip, Little Lucy, who is known to be ever-ready with unsolicited advice, is playing right-field in a baseball game. Charlie Brown is pitching. “Let’s win one
Many years ago, a pastor was sitting alone in his Church, quietly reflecting on a theological tome he had been reading. Suddenly, his reverie was interrupted by the noise of
Birds Of A Feather? Read More »
In a big city Church, a cafeteria-style lunch was made available to members of the congregation at the conclusion of the Sunday worship. The charge for the meal was relatively
In a syndicated newspaper cartoon, Santa Claus is pictured at his work bench putting a new toy together. From his nearby TV set, he hears a reporter saying, We continue
When Is It Time To Love Somebody? Read More »
About this time of year in 1997, Washington Post journalist, Laura Britt, wrote a column entitled, “Christmas Blues.” In it, she tells of a telephone call she received from a
A Kiss In The Dark Read More »
A sixth grade teacher was trying her best to discipline a particularly mischievous student. She tried reasoning with him. She tried scolding him severely. She tried bargaining with him. Again
Perfect Attendance Record Read More »
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