Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, pointing out how there is more going on under the surface than meets the eye. In the first reading Adam and Eve play the blame game over who is at fault for eating the forbidden fruit, showing that there was already tension under the surface in the Garden of Eden. In the second reading, Paul tells the Corinthians that he is strengthened in his faith because he is suffering for them.

Seeking to understand the center of faith, a scribe asked Jesus, "what is the first commandment:" The answer was to love God with all of your heart, understanding and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is the center of our faith, not rubrics and sacrifice.

St. Paul tells us that he worships God "with a clear conscience as my ancestors did" even though his faith is moving in a different direction. Are we still open, in good faith, to allowing the Power of God to lead us in new directions in our understanding of scriptures?

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Feast of the Ascension, contrasting how the disciples were told to wait for the Holy Spirit, but were also to go out and use those gifts to preach the Good News to the ends of the earth.<br>

Paul preaches to the leading philosophers of his day... to mixed reviews. We are all called to share our faith, not to convince others.

Paul carries on preaching despite opposition in Philippi, while the disciples are sad at Jesus' departure. The first is an example of staying the course, which was good, and the second was an example of not wanting to change, which was bad. In the spiritual life, change is good when it supports growth and a greater ownership of the ministry of preaching the Good News.

For 7 May 2024, Tuesday of teh sixth week of Easter, based on Acts 17:15,?22-18:1

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, lifting up Jesus' comment: "This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you." Trusting the love of God shown in Jesus and reflecting that love to others should be the center of our faith.<br>
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Readings: Acts 10:25-26,​34-35,​44-48, 1 John 4:7-10, John 15:9-17

For 2 May 2024, Thursday of the fifth week of Easter, based on Acts 15:7-21

For 23 April 2024, Tuesday of the fourth week of Easter, based on Acts 11:19-26