David Sandel

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 16, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Flora and fauna Thus says the Lord God, I will tear off a tender shoot of the cedar tree and plant it on a high and lofty mountain of Israel. When we stepped out of our white...

Saturday, June 15, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Lame duck Elijah meets successor Elisha Elijah came upon Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. Not two presidents, but two prophets, and this exchange of power took place far from any spotlight. After thirty years as prophet, Elijah put his...

Friday, June 14, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Elijah and the still, small voice Elijah didn’t stop in Beersheba. He left his servant and headed into the desert. His body and mind were exhausted after the incredible 100 mile journey from Jazreel. Elijah’s spirit remained, and God guided him....

Thursday, June 13, 2024 Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Elijah gets a win Before all the people, Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been destroyed, with twelve stones, one each for the sons of Jacob....

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Elijah speaks, at the end of three long years of drought How long will you straddle the issue? If Yahweh is God, follow him. And if Baal, then follow him. But the people did not answer. You can bet they talked...

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Leaving and coming home again When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart. Back in Urbana after a week...

Monday, June 10, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Back from Mexico After an hour-long walk and a slew of Mexican mis-adventures, Jack and Aly’s parents, our son and daughter-in-law, laughing and rolling their eyes at the occasional scam caught in the act by a credit card company that was...

Sunday, June 9, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) First step is to pause I heard you in the garden, but I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid. I think this experience of Adam, alone in his dis-grace, broke the heart of Yahweh, his father. But God...

Saturday, June 8, 2024 Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Listening to God at 7 in the morning I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his...

Friday, June 7, 2024 Solemnity of Sacred Heart of Jesus (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Thinking things through When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms. My Texas...