“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 As I watched with many of you the video of a police officer kneeling on the throat of an unarmed man while his colleagues watched, I was struck
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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Naples, Florida. As we leave the Easter season behind us, climaxing in the great feast of Pentecost, I am reflecting on the
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“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” Jn 15:1-2 Village of Olga, Florida. About a mile out of town, I saw the sign: “Olga Mall
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Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, Divine Mercy Sunday. I see the Peloton speeding toward me again. Smaller today, just three of them. Biking as a very tight group. No time to break to my left to escape their path. Within seconds, they’ll be flying past me at 40 miles an hour and within six inches. A
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Mission Blog: Easter Orchid Series “Peace be with you… Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God.” John 21: 26, 28 Naples, The Octave of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday. Growing up in Newark at St. Leo’s Grammar School, St. Thomas had a bad rap with the nuns. “Don’t be a doubting Thomas, Stephen! You’re a Catholic! Get some faith!” So, rather
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Mission Blog: Easter Orchid Series “[The disciples from Emmaus] returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.” Mark 16:13 Naples, Day Seven of the Easter Appearances. I’m not sure about you, but I’m somehow getting more out of this “spiritual communion” at the daily “virtual Mass” than I thought I would. Somehow, kneeling there before the
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Mission Blog: Easter Orchid Series “What we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3 Naples, Day Six of the Easter Appearances. Today we return to John’s record of
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Mission Blog: Easter Orchid Series “They were still incredulous…and…he asked them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’” Luke 24:41 Naples, Day Five of the Easter Appearances. Last night on our evening walk and Gospel reflection, I found myself struggling again with this problem the apostles seem to be having recognizing the risen Lord. Peter saw the empty tomb and
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Mission Blog: Easter Orchid Series “He was made know to them in the breaking of the bread.” Luke 24:35 Naples, Day Four of the Easter Appearances. Readers of The Missionary of Wall Street already know that today’s Easter Week reading, “The Appearance on the Road to Emmaus” from the Gospel of Luke, holds a very
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Mission Blog: Easter Orchid Series “I have seen the Lord.” John 21:18 Naples, Day Three of the Easter Appearances. The two apostles Mary has brought with her to the empty tomb have left. Peter was astounded, confused. Something happened to John; he too left, with a different look on his face. Mary is heart-broken that
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