Browsing Fr. Jasper's Homily
Linens and Things That Matter
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Apparently I am not a proper folder of church linens.
How do I know?
Many years ago when I had entered formation for the priesthood, one of the monsignors in charge of overseeing the house jobs we were assigned would tell me quite often that the creases on ... Read More »
Oh Paul
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
The legends abound in Catholic-world of what has happened whenever Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is proclaimed – and the uncomfortable part is not safely removed. We all know “the line”:
“Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.”
Oh, Paul. Paul. Paul.
One lector ... Read More »
Not How But Why
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
In the end, the Jewish followers of Jesus – himself a Jew – were asking the wrong question.
Certainly the question was understandable. What Jesus said was, in fact, shocking. He literally stands there and tells them that his flesh is true food and his blood true drink.
... Read More »
Imitators of God
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Every now and again there appears a feel-good human interest story at the end of the nightly news or within the local newspaper that stays with you long after you hear it. The Good Samaritan who pulled-over to deliver a baby alongside the interstate; the inner-city teacher who ... Read More »
No Easy Bread
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Another week, another controversy.
This time, the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics the previous Friday. Social media erupted last Saturday morning with shock and anger over apparent and deliberate sacrilege shown toward a sacred image connected to our faith: that of the Last Supper.
If you ... Read More »
Be An Andrew
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Andrew the Apostle does not get nearly as much credit as he deserves. There, I said it.
Think about it: His brother Peter? Becomes first Pope with an awesome new Jesus-given nickname of “the Rock.” Young John becomes the beloved one, invited to place his head on the ... Read More »
How Are We Shepherding
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
This time it was Walmart, not Wawa. (The Lord likes to shake-up my homily inspirations every now and again.)
In the cereal aisle, an elderly woman reaches for some kind of bland fiber product that was placed much too high for her to grasp. As one can imagine, ... Read More »
Take Him at His Word
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
My best friend throughout most of my 20s and 30s was an eighty-year-old nun. Truly.
Sister Irene offered me my first teaching job, masterfully guided me in learning how to work with middle school students, and became my closest confidant. I have no doubt I am a priest ... Read More »
Every Rose Has One
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
I think all of us have a list of questions that we’ll have at the ready to ask our Lord when we get to heaven. Many “whys” and “how comes” and “did it really have to be that way” types of inquiries. (Of course, let it be known ... Read More »
Waiting Such a Long Time
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
“I always hated that Gospel.”
Eighty-year-old Helena was never one to sugarcoat her thoughts or feelings, so her comment didn’t necessarily shock me that humid summer afternoon as we awaited her Paratransit bus outside St. Elizabeth’s Church following Sunday Mass.
When I asked why, Helena didn’t hold back: ... Read More »