God Against Suffering Thoughts on the First Readings -Joe Frankenfield Third Sunday of Lent Exodus 17:3-7 Once, after a religion class, a third grader came up to me and said, in a serious voice, “God sure messes up a lot.” Putting a hand on his shoulder I replied, “It looks like that doesn’t it. But [...]

Offer Or Command? What Do We Hear? Thoughts on the First Readings Second Sunday of Lent Genesis 12: 1-4a Several weeks ago thousands of Egyptians revolted against a repressive government. They repeatedly told interviewers that they were standing up to their government because they weren’t afraid anymore. They left fear behind for a future of [...]

Love Creates Thoughts on the First Readings -Joe Frankenfield First Sunday of Lent Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 In John’s first letter he writes “God is love.” That deserves a lot of thought. Though we hear it in our hymns, prayers and religious conversations, it doesn’t always sink in. John goes on, lest we miss his point, [...]

Pointed Questions Thoughts on the First Readings -Joe Frankenfield 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time Deuteronomy 11:18, 26-28, 32 I once had a discussion with a parishioner that concluded with his statement that he didn’t know why, or even if, he believed in God. Maybe he just kept on being religious because, like his parents, it [...]