December 30, 2023
As we glory into another year, today’s scriptures remind us to focus on the mission of Jesus Christ. The prophetess, Anna, dedicated her life to prayer, especially after the death of her husband. Anna lived in a special espousal to God, knowing her life had a purpose. Perhaps Anna lived knowing the intercession would bring […]
December 29, 2023
Memorial of Thomas Becket The first letter of John today encourages us to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. The theme of light and darkness impacts our ability to walk just as he walked. Many words have been spoken this week about the Light of Christ coming into our world. We have […]
December 28, 2023
Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs If we didn’t have hot, we would not have cold. If we didn’t have sweet, we would not have sour. If it weren’t for joy, we would have no tears. Without sin, there is no virtue. It is this opposition we face even as we look in a mirror. […]
December 27, 2023
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist Saint John has a simple and strong message: our particular assignment, our mission, is to “Testify!” “Proclaim!” Not listed among the martyrs, he may have lived into old age. Scholars suggest that the Gospel, three Letters, and the Book of Revelation ascribed to him began circulating among Christians […]
December 26, 2023
Legend has it that 415 AD was the discovery of the body/relics of our first martyr, Stephen. Since the liturgical calendar of Christmas had not been set until some centuries later, these early historical days of memory bring treasures of the Paschal Mystery to our present calendar. We know that at each celebration of the […]
December 25, 2023
The Nativity of the Lord Merry Christmas! My Christmas gift to you is a trick question that can be used as an evangelization tool with friends and family during the Christmas season: How many of the Gospels refer to the Incarnation in their opening pages? Many people would say that the Gospels of Matthew and […]
December 24, 2023
4th Sunday of Advent Every few years, we celebrate the end of the Advent season on Christmas Eve. The last was in 2017, and the next will be in 2028. In a few hours, we will gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We feel the excitement in anticipation of God’s […]
December 23, 2023
The responsorial psalm has been speaking to me lately. Please read Psalm 26:4,5ab. Did anyone instruct you on King David’s words when you were a child? Were you taught to ask God to teach you his ways? Were you taught to seek his truth? We had a Bible in our home that was at least […]
December 22, 2023
In yesterday’s Gospel, we heard about pregnant Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. We listened to the greeting that Elizabeth exclaimed. Today, we hear Mary’s response. Imagine the conversations these blessed women might have had during the three months Mary stayed at the house of Elizabeth and Zechariah, especially “unpacking” the words […]
December 21, 2023
Mary took Jesus within her on the road to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and when she arrived there, Christ’s presence enacted a change in reality for Elizabeth and John, one that fulfilled scripture. John the Baptist received what he needed to live that life of faith and reverence for God we all know very well […]