A young girl walked with her mother to her neighbor’s home to drop off a few bags of groceries. On the way home, the little girl asked her mother why she did that. The mother explained that the father of the family had lost his job and they were having a hard time making ends meet and buying enough food to feed their family. The girl asked, “So why did you deliver groceries?” The mom answered, “Because someday I may be the hungry one."

The best teachers teach by example. When that is not possible, they use the next best thing: a good story. The hero or heroine of a good story can display good judgment, strong morals, or ethics and virtues such as courage, honor and fairness. When the characters in the story are members of your own family, it makes it even easier to think, “That could be me!” The accomplishments of those with whom we have some connection can leave a lasting impression.

In the cryptic message of the prophet Ezekiel, long centuries before the Lord’s coming, God gave His people reason to hope. Ezekiel glimpsed a day when the Lord God would place a tree on a mountain in Israel, a tree that would “put forth branches and bear fruit.” Who could have predicted that the tree would be a cross on the hill of Calvary, and that the fruit would be salvation?

The soldiers from our area were leaving for active duty overseas and the local television news covered their departure. The reporter asked each one what he was taking with him as a reminder of family and friends back home. The soldiers displayed pictures, lockets of hair, medals and lucky charms of all sorts. Each one took a little piece of home with him, hoping that they would come back, safe and sound.

A seminary professor was preaching at our parish about the Trinity. We expected a theological insight, but instead we received a simple lesson on the mystery of God. He said that God was as easy as 3-2- 1-0: 3 persons in one God, 2 natures in Christ, 1 God and zero understanding! We speak of the mysteries of faith as if we understand them, but the depth of God far exceeds the human mind.

There are some days and moments in life that really change us. They are moments of decision, growth, choice, and loss. Some will be noted as anniversaries, others will be anonymous dates overshadowed by the events of the day. But we are defined by our experiences and the lessons they teach. It changes how we look at ourselves and can help us define the purpose of our life.

Today's First Reading begins by giving us a time- frame - the events take place during the days between Christ's ascension and Pentecost. We're at the same point in our liturgical year. On Thursday we celebrated His being taken up in glory, and next Sunday we will celebrate His sending of the Spirit upon the Church. Jesus' prayer in the Gospel today also captures the mood of departure and the anticipation. He is telling us today how it will be when He is no longer in the world.

In today's Gospel, Jesus says that He is the good shepherd the prophets had promised to Israel. He is the shepherd-prince, the new David - who frees people from bondage to sin and gathers them into one flock, the Church, under a new covenant made in His blood (see Ezekiel 34:10-13, 23-31).

The tomb was empty. In the early morning darkness of that first Easter, there was only confusion for Mary Magdalene and the other disciples. But as the daylight spread, they saw the dawning of a new creation.

Jesus does not come to destroy the temple, but to fulfill it (see Matthew 5:17) - to reveal its true purpose in God's saving plan. He is the Lord the prophets said would come - to purify the temple, banish the merchants, and make it a house of prayer for all peoples (see Zechariah 14:21; Malachi 3:1-5; Isaiah 56:7). The God who made the heavens and the earth, who brought Israel out of slavery, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands (see Acts 7:48; 2 Samuel 7:5). Nor does He need offerings of oxen, sheep, or doves (see Psalm 50:7-13).

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B)

The calling of the brothers in today's Gospel evokes Elisha's commissioning by the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 19:19-21). As Elijah comes upon Elisha working on his family's farm, so Jesus sees the brothers working by the seaside. And as ElishREAD MORE

Back in March, some second graders planted a bunch of tomato seeds and now, months later, my garden has more than a few tomato plants. They stop by the garden almost everyday, watering the plants and looking for the first signs of fruit. The young gardeners learned that it takes a lot of work to get from seed to salad!

Under the huge oak tree in the yard, my 5-year-old niece was shocked to discover that the huge tree had begun as a small acorn, just like one of many she found on the ground. She could not believe that something so large began as something so small.

A community work project took place on a hot and humid morning. College students helped younger students, keeping a watchful eye on them as they were picking up trash, painting playground furniture and hanging new signs. Halfway through the morning, everyone headed for the shade of a weeping willow tree and a drink of ice-cold spring water. It really was refreshing. The shade and the water revived us and we were ready to finish our work. Everyone had a good time and contributed to our success.