I’ve always been fascinated by words. And I’ve always loved questions. So, it should not surprise you that a strange word that is also a question would remain bouncing around my mind for over 30 years. The word . . . WIGIAOT. Not so much a word as it is an abbreviation. W-I-G-I-A-O-T. Where is God in all of this? This question that runs through our minds, especially in the difficult moments of life, confronts Elijah. The great prophet was told that the Lord would be passing b

Jesus’ latest journey begins in a boat. He hears about the death of John the Baptist, and seeks time to be alone. His travel soon leaves the water behind, and Jesus treks out into the desert. His disciples follow as they begin their travel by foot through the wilderness. But a huge change in plans is about to happen. The crowds learned of Jesus’ intended journey, and they follow him by foot into the desert. Now, the parallels with Israel’s Exodus become clear. Turning to the

Sometimes I want a new way to pray. Or sometimes I want another way to pray. And sometimes I do not really want to pray. And when I want something new or something more or something else, it seems that the scriptures for the celebration of the Mass have the answer. I search the Word, and I hear the voice of God. I search the Word and I hear the voices of God’s people. I search the Word and find the answer to the question that I did not even know that I was asking. I search th

Jesus often spoke in parables and metaphors, describing God, God’s action in the world, and our own journey of discipleship in images and words that engaged and challenged the imaginations of his listeners... and us. A metaphor is a figure of speech— a word or phrase that describes one kind of object in place of another kind of object, suggesting a likeness; a connection; a similarity. A pretty girl is like a melody. He has a heart like a stone. She’s as happy as a clam. They