SENDING FORTH By Fr. Chris Valka, C.S.B As the father has sent me, so I send you. As I was sent, so you are sent. As a result of what you have learned, of the relationship that you have known, you are to go out and
HAPPY EASTER! By Father Chris Valka, C.S.B If you have been around St. Basil’s for a while, then you have heard me say before: everything changes after the resurrection. Easter is the beginning of something so very different and new. This is true more this year
RAISED FROM SUFFERING By Fr. Chris Valka, C.S.B. This Sunday’s readings represent some of the most dramatic stories in scripture: Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones revived by the breath of God, and Lazarus raised from the dead. Two miraculous events that contain a great lesson: death
CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF RELATIONSHIP By Fr. Chris Valka, CSB In our Gospel today, Jesus tells us that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisees, we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Righteousness is best understood as “right relationship”. In other
WE ARE NOT EXEMPT By Chris Valka, CSB As we come to the end of the liturgical year, we become more aware that everything is temporary. The warm, sunny, full days of summer have turned barren as the winter cold sets in. What was once full
TRANSFORMATIVE GRATITUDE By Fr. Chris Valka, CSB In the Gospel last week, the Apostles demanded of Jesus, “increase our faith!” In our own time, our reading challenges us to embrace the cross knowing that it is not the end, but part of a vision still unfolding; that
KNOWING WHAT TO ASK FOR By Fr. Chris Valka, C.S.B. In our readings this week, we begin with a rather remarkable exchange between Abraham and God. God has grown weary of the sinfulness of the people of Sodom and sets out to find out what kind of
WHERE IT IS AT By Fr. Chris Valka, CSB It is always interesting to me how people describe “the Church.” In fact, it is a worthy experiment I invite you to consider in this moment when we not simply celebrate Pentecost, but the birthday of the Church.
THE ART OF CELEBRATION By Fr. Chris Valka, CSB Today (Easter Sunday) marks the defining moment of our faith, our Church, our parish and our lives. Nothing is the same after the resurrection. Christ’s triumph is what separates Christianity from all other religions. Look closely at any
A WEEK OF QUESTIONS By Fr. Chris Valka, CSB I have always thought that, spiritually speaking, we are at a disadvantage this week. We know how this week ends, which seems to take away much of the passion it contains. The challenge for each of us, then,