Have faith. But when you are at the lowest of your moods, how do you have faith? Where does that ability to have faith come from? Presently I am reading a book about being happy despite your circumstances. Being happy doesn’t fix the problems and concerns of daily life, happiness doesn’t even pay the bills […]
Scribes and pharisees are obsessed with Christ. They have the single-mindedness of saints and the hypocrisy of sinners. They feature prominently in the story of the woman caught in adultery, saying and doing more than she does. What do they say, then, to Christ or to this woman? What do they do? And how does […]
Some find it hard to accept that God would love some people more than others. That wouldn’t be fair, they say. But God became man. If he did not love some more than others, Jesus wouldn’t be fully human. For human beings have family and friends. While we can do good and even risk our […]
When people manipulate words, even scripture, with the sole purpose of supporting their own point of view, instead of the truth, they are using a form of sophistry. Sophistry could also describe the logic used by a lawyer intent upon persuading a jury to find a criminal not guilty. The word sophistry describes the language and logic […]
One of the points I try to stress with those joining me on the many trips I host to Rome and other Christian holy places is the difference between a tour and a pilgrimage. A tour is more of a fun seeking trek to an exotic location, one filled with great photo opportunities that contain […]
In Wednesday’s general audience, the Holy Father wraps up his series on the sacraments by covering that of Holy Matrimony. It is fitting he saved the sacrament for last, because in the end, matrimony is what we are all called to. Even if we choose the religious life, we are called to nuptial union with […]
A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit He saves” (Psalm 34:19). There are a lot of hurting people in the world, but tonight I am not one of them. At this moment, alone here near the tabernacle, I glory in the Real […]
A great light enveloped Saul of Tarsus, the zealous Pharisee and persecutor of the Church. Blinded by the light, he fell to the ground and heard a voice call him twice by name. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”“Who are you Lord?” Saul asked. The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” […]
They forgot the God who had saved them, who had done great deeds in Egypt” Why Do We So Easily Forget? Today our readings remind us that the Israelite’s very easily forgot the love of God and the wonders he performed to bring them out of Egypt. In my own life I can look back […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 130:1-8; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45) Praying to the Lord with Expectant Faith Father, I thank you for hearing me. (John 11:41) You have probably prayed many prayers this Lent, maybe even for those who are sick or departed loved ones—the “Lazaruses” in your life. […]
The readings for today give hope to the humble. They proclaim the mercy of God for those who emerge from their darkness by revealing Jesus as the man who dares to call God His Father . In the first reading from Isiah, God promises a covenant to the peoplethat will restore the land. In issuing this covenant, The […]
What is the best way to teach the faith? This is a question that has been on the mind of many thinkers lately, especially in light of what Ralph Martin calls the “institutional collapse” in American Catholicism. This question should be considered anew in light of recent research into the behavior of young Catholics in […]
There are so many ways we can be sick — physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, we even use the word to refer to being fed up with something. Most people do not wish to or like to be sick. As a mother, I am often heard saying, “I don’t have time to be sick.” As a […]
The Gospel accounts are full of good examples. Today’s Gospel features a counterexample, a cautionary tale, albeit one which ends happily. It is one which demonstrates the answer to the old question: Why do bad things happen? The answer, as always, is this: They leads towards salvation. Many Galileans had been at the wedding feast […]
A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture: Psalm 51 was recently given to me as my penance after a confession heard by a young visiting priest to our church. “What is Psalm 51?” I asked. He said, simply, “It is beautiful.” He shared with me that he always adds this Psalm to whatever penance he is […]
The call to the priesthood is “the desire to serve others in the things that come from God,” Pope Francis told 50,000 gathered in a rainy St. Peter’s Square for his General Audience on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. A priestly vocation is “the wish to spend your whole life in service to catechize, baptize, forgive, […]
The Lion of Judah is no tame lion. Neither is he predictable. While walking along the streets of Jerusalem one day, Jesus sees a common enough sight in the Holy City. There is a disabled person by the side of the road begging (John 9). What else is the poor man to do? He has […]
At the request of Pope Francis, the Diocese of Rome and other dioceses throughout the world will begin the weekend with a sustained period of heightened Lenten reflections and devotional practices termed “24 hours for the Lord.” The Pope announced the initiative from the window of the Papal Apartments after praying the “Angelus” last Sunday. […]
Today’s Gospel comes from Mark 12:28-34. In the Gospel a Scribe asks Jesus, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” And Jesus replies, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this; love your neighbor […]
Before my conversion I engaged everyone I knew to see what they thought about everything I was discovering about Catholics. I had just finished reading Scott Hahn’s Rome Sweet Home and wanted to employ some of the tactics and sayings that worked for him on my opponent. The usual reaction was one of apathy and […]
“Most theologians talk too much. They should pick up a broom and sweep the room. That says enough.” – Mother Teresa After reading today’s Gospel Readings, I could not help but think of Mother Teresa and this quote. To understand why, one would have to imagine that he is in the presence of Jesus […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (1 Samuel 16:1,6-7,10-13; Psalm 23:1-6; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41) Being Faithful and Obedient Servants of the Lord Anoint him, for this is the one. (1 Samuel 16:12) Even from the earliest days, there was a strict hierarchy in every Jewish family. The father was the head of […]
A single story that brings your child’s heart nearer to God is worth an infinite number of likes and shares on Facebook. Your Internet audience might include any number of people — friends who are already convinced, strangers who will never be convinced, and people who will forget what you said a minute later. Rarely […]
There is certain work of Christian literature written c. AD 190 that tells the story of how Saint Paul baptized a lion. By the power of God Paul tamed the animal, baptized him by immersion, and claimed the creature for Christ. “I, Paul, en route to Jericho, accompanied by two pious women, was confronted by […]
