September 20, 2025
Many choose to follow Jesus’ teachings. Then there are those who choose not to follow Jesus at all or struggle with following his ways. Many live a life without trust in God’s Word. They try to control outcomes of situations to conform to their way of thinking. It is a real struggle for them. Jesus […]
September 19, 2025
The Eucharist calls us to conversion, to self-emptying, to selfless service of others. In imitating Jesus, we are called to be broken and poured out in loving service. Eucharist fundamentally is not “about us,” but those who are in the greatest need materially, spiritually, physically, and, in these days, legally. In today’s reading, Timothy cautions […]
September 18, 2025
Judgment and condemnation are too often hasty reactions to other people’s behavior that we find objectionable. Often, without knowing all the facts, we assume the worst about another and are quick to evaluate their merit. Such a reaction is not what Jesus ever did, nor what He taught us to do. In today’s Gospel reading, […]
September 17, 2025
Memorial of Saint Robert Bellarmine Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children. Luke 7:31-35 Jesus concludes his teaching by saying that sometimes, some people just don’t get it. In most cases, he seems to imply, they simply refuse to understand. And nothing can get through to turn their thinking around. The trouble is, we […]
September 16, 2025
Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs In the 3rd century, the emperor Decius led a mass persecution of Christians. He forced all Roman citizens to worship Roman idols. Those who didn’t lose their property were imprisoned, and many were executed. Many Christians, however, renounced their faith. During this time, the bishops, including […]
September 15, 2025
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows Into each life a little rain must fall! Today’s memorial is about the unbelievable sadness our Blessed Mother experienced. As our minds travel back through our own lives, we recall our own difficulties and wonder why our loving Lord allows these things to happen to his mother, to us. […]
September 14, 2025
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross We’re bumping the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time today to celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Father Eymard must have loved this feast because its message inspired his most profound reflections about the gift of self. Let’s begin our own reflection using today’s […]
September 13, 2025
Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor My good friend gave me the plaque hanging in our garden “The garden is my happy place.” Indeed, it is! Today’s Gospel powerfully speaks of the garden. “For every tree is known by its own fruit and a good tree does not produce rotten fruit.” As gardeners […]
September 12, 2025
Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary On September 8, the Church celebrated the Nativity of Mary, nine months after her Immaculate Conception. Today, the Church honors the Most Holy Name of Mary. We also commemorate today the approval that Father Eymard received from the bishop of Angers, France, in 1864, to establish […]
September 11, 2025
All of us who participate in our daily Eucharistic reflections are well aware of the significance of the date 9/11/2001. We lived through a traumatic event in our country, and we carry it in our hearts. Has it changed us? If so, how? Gratefully, we will never know how many people lived because of the […]