As a rebellious teenager, I thought that Catholics should stop wasting their money on expensive churches. We ought to sell them all and buy food for the poor, I argued.Funny thing. Jesus, who cared much for the poor, did not have this attitude. As an adolescent, he yearned to spend time in Herod’s sumptuous Temple […]
In a stunning victory, Donald Trump has won over 270 electoral votes, beating pro-abortion Hillary Clinton and becoming the 45th president of the United States. Trump’s victory became obvious as he won the key states of Ohio, Florida, and Iowa, and now Pennsylvania. He continues to lead in Michigan and Arizona. The Associated Press called […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Malachi 3:19-20 2nd Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Responsorial: Psalm 98:5-9 Gospel: Luke 21:5-19 Living a Simple Life Fixed on the Lord We did not act in a disorderly way among you. (2 Thessalonians 3:7) The Thessalonian church was in a state of confusion […]
Dedicated in 324, AD, the Lateran Basilica is the oldest and ranks first among the four Papal Basilicas or major basilicas of Rome. It claims the title of ecumenical mother church (mother church of the whole inhabited world) among Catholics. As the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, containing the papal throne (Cathedra Romana), it […]
As a very long election season comes to a close, there is a fury of endless media messages attempting to focus voters on issues. There are countless issues to sort through that are facing our nation as we head to cast our ballots on Election Day, and it often becomes difficult to prioritize what matters […]
How far above politics You are, O Lord – high above the low-slung mud and lack of love shown for others, including our own country. Let us be a nation who dwells in You. Let Your justice reign! Let Your regard for every person be the law by which we guard ourselves from error. Bind […]
Mel Gibson has done it again. Hacksaw Ridge is the cinematic event of 2016-2017. Hacksaw Ridge is the true story of Private Desmond Doss, a Seventh-Day Adventist from Virginia who enlists in World War II, but — as a conscientious objector — staunchly refuses to bear arms. Literally. He won’t even touch a gun, let […]
I sit here listening to one of my favorite reflective CD’s (Carl Herrgesell’s Reflections in the Key of Peace), playing in the background as I attempt to put little letters together and form words on a blank page. We are days away from a national election that has stirred in me an unprecedented level of both […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 2nd Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 Responsorial: Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 Gospel: Luke 20:27-38 Living as a New Creation in Christ The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3) […]
Perhaps you have heard the saying abortion advocates often like to repeat: ‘if you don’t like abortion, then don’t get one.’ Well, we not only don’t like abortions, we don’t like being forced to pay for them or to do anything else that would facilitate the termination of the life of an unborn child. Yet […]
One of my favorite scenes in Return of the King is Sam and Frodo sitting together as Mt. Doom erupts around them. When Frodo says, “I am glad you’re with me Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things,” my heartstrings are always tugged because Frodo is reaching for the soul friendship. Love ‘till death. Boundless […]
THE Church teaches us that the souls of the just who have left this world soiled with the stain of venial sin remain for a time in a place of expiation, where they suffer such punishment as may be due to their offences. It is a matter of faith that these suffering souls are relieved […]
Dancing With God (Remembering Doris) Early one morning in the Holy Land, I gazed heavenward and smiled; An image painted in cloud, Floated in the sky. “I had the best dream,” My companion, shared; “It was so real.” “I was dancing with Jesus.” God delights to confirm the visions, He gives His friends. The heavens […]
