Thoughts on the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 3, 2019 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com If you hold to the theory, as I do, that Jesus grew into his identity then this event of Jesus’ visit to Nazareth, when seen in terms of his own personal history, is one of baseline importance. Take a…
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Thoughts on the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 27, 2019 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com We will return to this later, but let’s first put a picture in our minds. Picture Jesus showing up on Sabbath in his hometown synagogue and claiming to be the One who has been expected for at least 500…
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“Light of Life ….. Truth of Life” © Thoughts on the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, January 13, 2019 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com When I was studying the Sacred Sciences and preparing for ministry back in the day at Catholic Theological Union, one of the faculty members was Callistus Langerholz. He was a…
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“We can do both Joy and Sadness”© by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com Here are a few facts to chew on. First, in 2019, that’s right – next year, ethnic minority children will be the majority of all children in the United States. Second, minority children are already the majority among all children in 10 states. …
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“Light of Life,,,,,,God-with-us” © Thoughts on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 16, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com We have reason to celebrate today! This 3rd Sunday of Advent, as a marker in time, is an announcement of good that happens with closeness to the Word of Life. As John announces in today’s Gospel…
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“Light of Life” © Thoughts on the 1st Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com Thomas Merton’s final manuscript which he sent to the publisher just prior to his trip to Asia in February, 1968 was published this year with a foreward by Sarah Coakley. It has been given the title,…
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“In Good Standing……….With Whom?”© by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com A pastor at a Catholic Parish in the archdiocese of Milwaukee recently informed some of his parishioners that Jim Ryan is not a priest “in good standing.” He arrived at that charge after researching me by consulting with the chancery office. So, my question is, “good…
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Thoughts on the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 28, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com Jean and I visited the city of Nuremberg on our trip through Germany this August. This city has to live with the history that it was the center of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party. It still contains the Party Headquarters…
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“Bound & Belonging” © Thoughts on the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 21, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com Yes, James and John have a lot of nerve. As today’s Gospel passage relates (Mark 10:35-45) these two brothers have the nerve to ask Jesus to reserve the highest places at his right and his…
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“Appropriated” © Thoughts on the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 14, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com Parents are happy when their children’s behavior is appropriate to the occasion, when they respond to persons and social settings in an appropriate manner. It shows that their children can exercise a control that is self-regulated and…
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