by Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, O.P.
reflection by Chaplain Teresa Pleins

Like Judaism, our roots, we are a church of tradition. We reverently hand on from one generation to the next. What we hold most dear. Now tradition is more than beautiful art and music. It is more than ritual action and ancient practices. For the church, capital T capital T tradition, is a dynamic.

by Fr. Bob Glynn, S.J.

It was eight days ago. And I was minding my own business as always.

by Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, O.P.

An easy Gospel, right? … It has all the subtlety of old black-and-white TV Westerns. … The Pharisee wears the black hat of self-congratulating pride, … O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity, while the tax collector wears the white hat of humble contrition, O God be merciful to me a sinner.

“Don’t Lose Heart”
by Fr. Dominic DeLay, O.P.

It’s bad enough when one of Jesus’ parables is followed by an explanation. I thought parables were more challenging questions than simplistic answers. But today, it’s even worse.

by Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, O.P.

In last Tuesday’s Discovering Catholicism class, a student said, “It feels like I’ve been here a month.” … It was just a week! ... Time seems relative to the tasks ahead and the anxiety you feel! Stanford seems to have its own unique speed!

by Fr. Bob Glynn, S.J.

I am Father Bob, and I am the lone Jesuit in a sea of Dominican white in the chaplaincy at here at Stanford. Now, I need to say a couple of things about Jesuit training so we’ll understand what I’m talking about today.

“Christ Across the Chasm”
by Fr. Dominic DeLay, O.P.

Have you ever felt as though an uncrossable chasm separates you from someone, everyone, God, happiness? I imagine many of you new students feel somewhat alone these days.. …

by Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, O.P.

Amos lived over 2700 years ago, yet he would understand our age. He felt the economic and political gloom that haunts humanity still. …

“God’s Labor of Love”
by Fr. Dominic DeLay, O.P.

If we hear today’s gospel in light of Labor Day, Jesus sounds like a really abusive employer: If anyone comes to me without hating their family and themselves can’t work for me. And, by the way, if you don’t have what it takes to finish the job, stay home.

by Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, O.P.

“What hotel room do you give a 800 lb. gorilla? …. Any room he wants!” King Zedekiah thought he could kick out an 800 lb. gorilla. In his case that gorilla was the Babylonian Empire, and Judah was its vassal state. The king was playing power politics; he was trying to get Egypt to rescue him. That is no more than exchanging one 800 lb. gorilla empire for another one.