November 5, 2025
Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another. This succinct statement from the first reading today is probably easier to reflect on than the gospel statement of Jesus, stating that we cannot be his disciples without hating our family. “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife […]
November 4, 2025
Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo Saint Charles was a key leader after the 16th-century Council of Trent. He loved the people he served so much that he turned down the opportunity to become pope to minister in Milan. He did not wear the usual garb when he was going through the streets of Milan. Many […]
November 3, 2025
Today’s readings focus on the mercy of God, along with instructions for the invitation list to your next dinner party. Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…anyone who can’t repay you. God never asks us to do anything He has not already done. Every single day, we are invited to a heavenly celebration […]
November 2, 2025
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed Not everyone can get to the cemetery on November 2. On this Feast of the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day), we take time to remember our loved ones who have passed away. For many of us, this is a significant time of the Church […]
November 1, 2025
Solemnity of All Saints “Come on! Let’s all go to heaven! Ask our brothers for their courage; we have their weapons. We are a battalion, not a procession.” – Saint Peter Julian Eymard, A Thought Per Day, November 1st One of the watershed moments in our marriage happened years ago. I was adamantly arguing with […]
October 31, 2025
There is a particular law in the place where I am right now: people are discouraged from giving money or anything else to beggars in the streets. Anyone who violates this law faces a fine and possibly imprisonment. To me, this is the harshest law I have ever heard! What surprises me even more is […]
October 30, 2025
Saint Paul asks: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Such a suggestion provides us with a very high level of confidence and security, knowing that we have the support of our God, and thus we have no fear that anyone can take a stand against us. Another take on this question […]
October 29, 2025
Church or Club. Maybe there’s an interest in joining the Elks Club or the Moose Club, the Rowing Club, or the Country Club. Regardless, any special interest group will want to screen potential members through a process, such as requiring them to fill out an application. Some groups require a sponsor, and there is a […]
October 28, 2025
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles Today we rejoice again for the glory of God is manifested in his martyrs: the holy apostles Simon and Jude. We celebrate a faith witnessed throughout the world, from east to west. I make my reflection here in New York on 9/11, a day that some people misunderstood […]
October 27, 2025
In reflecting on the miraculous healing of the woman who had spent 18 years unable to stand up straight, we realize that she probably had been worshiping the Lord on the sabbath every week for many years. But she probably didn’t go to synagogue “specifically asking for healing; she just showed up.” As the commentary […]