Posted by marguerite noga on 10/04/21
No one is expendable!
This weekend, after a layoff because of the Covid-19 pandemic, our religious education classes are starting again, and our young people are returning. For this reason, I want to begin with the second part of today’s gospel—about children.
Let’s begin with a story. ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 9/20/21
A Call to put aside jealousy and selfish ambition
I want to take a look at today’s readings from the point of view of ambition: when is ambition a good thing, and when is it bad? Let’s begin with a story…
The story is told of a ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 9/13/21
Heading toward Jerusalem: Jesus and 9/11
We are observing the twentieth anniversary of 9/11. In a recent issue of St. Anthony Messenger memories are shared about a Franciscan priest whose name came to be known around the world. The article states, “Franciscan Father Mychal Judge is ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 9/07/21
Homily for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 5, 2021
Am I my brother’s (and sister’s) keeper?
Let me begin with a story….A woman was standing on a curb, waiting for the traffic light to change. On the opposite curb was a girl about 17 years ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 8/23/21
"Grab the Bull by the Horns"
After taking a weekend off last week to honor Mary, we now return to Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist in what is called the Bread of Life Discourse, Chapter 6 of John’s gospel.
To help us understand what is happening in this ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 8/17/21
What Kind of Mansions
During my vacation these past two weeks, I toured some of the famous mansions that the very wealthy built as summer retreats in Newport, RI. Not only were the buildings themselves impressive on the outside, but the buildings were filled with the best of ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 8/02/21
How hungry are you?
Three seekers were encouraged to find what had been called the cave of wisdom and life. They made careful preparations for what would be a challenging and arduous journey. When they reached the place of the cave they noted a guard at the ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 7/19/21
Compassion, Not Mere Pity
I want to focus on one phrase of today’s gospel. It says that when Jesus saw the crowd he was “moved with pity”. Actually, in Greek, it’s a very unusual word, a much stronger word, meaning something like “moved in the bowels”. In other ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 7/12/21
Learning to be successful and faithful
Our gospel reading today is a missionary one: the twelve Apostles are sent on a mission, and they are given particular marching orders. There is an urgency about the mission. They are to travel light, not get bogged down, bring Jesus’ message, ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 7/06/21
A Good Samaritan Story
It was a bitter, cold winter in northern Virginia many years ago. The old man’s beard was glazed by winter frost while he waited for a ride across the river. The wait seemed endless. His body became numb and stiff from the frigid north wind.
He heard the faint, steady rhythm of approaching hooves galloping along the frozen path. Anxiously, he waited while several horsemen rounded the bend. He let the first one pass by without an effort to get his attention. Then another passed by, and another. Finally, the last rider neared the spot where the old man sat like a stone statue. As this one drew near, the old man caught the rider’s eye and said, “Sir, would you mind giving an old man a ride to the other ... Read More »
