December 4, 2024
We are moving forward in our Advent observance as we anticipate once again the incredible Mystery of the Incarnation, in which the Son of God chose to take on our humanity so that through him, we could be gifted to share in his divinity. We are gifted this year (2025) with a Jubilee of Grace, the […]
December 3, 2024
On our third day of Advent, we remember new births and dawns and being pilgrims of hope and God’s promise never to leave us. Isaiah paints a picture for Israel of a better life that will come when they, like that tree stump, grow toward God’s vision out of the dormancy of their souls. God […]
December 2, 2024
In truth, I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found faith as great as this. Two instances are recorded during Jesus’ ministry where he was astonished—once at the lack of faith demonstrated in his hometown and the other in today’s gospel. As a result of the former, there were no great miracles […]
December 1, 2024
1st Sunday of Advent Advent has always been my favorite liturgical season, but it is not necessarily my favorite time of the year. I still vividly remember the long, dark, cold, and wet December in my hometown of Dublin, Ireland. However, the Advent liturgies were always joyful, uplifting, warm, and inspiring. You would not think […]
November 30, 2024
The invitation we receive from today’s scriptures encourages us to open our eyes to see the good our hearts desire as we receive the Eucharist; the depths of our souls long evermore to hear the call of Our Father in Heaven. Jesus came to make known the kingdom of God’s love, the kingdom of heaven. […]
November 29, 2024
The readings for this day both highlight awareness, preparation, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. In the fig tree metaphor, Jesus encourages his followers to be attentive to the signs of the Kingdom of God. This metaphor is not about predicting the end of time but a call to live in readiness, assurance, and reliability of […]
November 28, 2024
Thanksgiving Day (in the USA) This is a beautiful feast for Americans and priests, religious, and lay members of the Eucharistic Family. For many, Thanksgiving is on the same footing as Christmas, as families choose to celebrate on alternate sides of their families for one holiday and then the other. As Americans, we know we have […]
November 27, 2024
Strange and even lurid visions from the revelation to John are not rare in the weekday Mass readings. Today brings the third day in a row with a passage from this Book of Revelations: the section called Seals, Trumpets, and Plagues. The angels of the Apocalypse have brought sickles, seals, and trumpets. Now, they bear […]
November 26, 2024
GETTING READY FOR THINGS THAT LAST We are into a series of readings that sound a little frightening. This is the beauty of the liturgical year. Remember how it all started last Advent when we reflected upon the coming of the son of man before the celebration of his historical birth? The liturgical year begins […]
November 25, 2024
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Alexandria As the author of Daily Reflections for the 4th Monday of the month, I wrote a reflection for October 28, my birthday, and I am now writing a reflection for November 25, the date of my Baptism. I was born and baptized in 1945 when it was customary to christen […]