Father Kevin A. Codd

The old story of the Emperor's New Clothes gives us a great entree into understanding Jesus's own parable that "uncovers" the pompous hypocrisy of the praying Pharisee and the true prayer of the tax collector. 

The parables are sort of the cartoons of the Gospels. Jesus tells these great stories with wide lines and vivid colors. Let's retell the story of the Widow and the Judge in the same way...

When Jesus' apostles request that he increase their faith, his somewhat dismissive response about the mulberry tree indicates that they may be looking for a kind of faith that is not on offer. Jesus' idea of faith is that it is an intimate relationship with the Father, his "Abba". 

Following upon our weeklong Parish Mission focused on the theme of God's gracious Mercy, we are confronted this Sunday morning with a Gospel parable that seems to offer us anything but an image of the all-merciful God that has been so much a part of our mission week. The "chasm between the rich man and Lazarus seems the very denial of God's Mercy...or is it? 

Father Denis Carlin's final mission reflection prepares us for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in which we encounter the Mercy of the Father in a very tangible way. 

Father Denis continues to inspire us as he reflects on God's Mercy and our response: to be merciful!

Enjoy listening in to Father Denis' third reflection on God's great gift of mercy. 

Listen in to the second night of our Parish Mission on Mercy as Father Denis shares his stories and insights on God's great gift of mercy.

Fr. Denis, in his first Mission reflection, helps us understand just what mercy is.