December 6, 2023
We have just entered the Season of Advent, which leads us toward the celebration of the Incarnation, the mystery of God taking on human nature to reveal the great love that the Creator has for all his creation and announce and usher in the Kingdom of God. Today’s readings give us a clearer vision of […]
December 5, 2023
On our third day of Advent, we celebrate a new birth, a new dawn, hope, and God’s promise. Isaiah paints a picture for Israel of the new life that will come from them when they, like that tree stump, grow toward God’s vision. God reverses and gives great promise to each of us, even when […]
December 4, 2023
Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the East and the West and will recline…at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven. There are times of doubt when I question whether I am one of God’s chosen people worthy […]
December 3, 2023
1st Sunday of Advent Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know the time will come. (Mark 13:33) Jesus is speaking about the second coming, when he will return in victory as promised, with angels and saints. It is described in the Revelation and Saint Mark’s Gospel. The day’s liturgy calls us to prepare not […]
December 2, 2023
Last year, between August and May, I set aside the time to make a directed Ignatian Retreat in Daily Life, the 19th annotation of the Spiritual Exercises. This was a time of change in my life; after homeschooling my children for over 20 years, my youngest had graduated high school. This was a time to […]
December 1, 2023
As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming on the clouds of heaven… As we hurtle to the end of the liturgical year, the readings are both about the end times. The reading from Daniel is incredibly graphic and enough to scare almost everyone into reforming their […]
November 30, 2023
Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle We all know that Saint Andrew was a close confidant of the Lord and was present for many of the Lord’s works and ministry. Interestingly, in the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus saw Simon and Andrew and called them, they left their nets at once. It was a manifestation of their […]
November 29, 2023
Luke’s gospel may make one think, “Hold on, I’m not sure this is what I want to be involved in.” As Ron Popeil, the famous infomercial salesman, always said, “…but wait, there’s more.” Jesus assures us, his followers – that we will secure our lives by our perseverance. Life isn’t easy; it isn’t meant to […]
November 28, 2023
Today we are given one of those rare “responsorials” to God’s word – not a psalm, but a Canticle. Hearing the canticle gives us a chance to delve more into the praise from the prophet Daniel. Daniel helps Nebuchadnezzar see the future and God‘s plan. Daniel stresses that God‘s plan, not his, keeps us open […]
November 27, 2023
I have always found today’s Gospel a challenge. Jesus admires the widow who gives her entire livelihood to the Temple treasury. He contrasts her gift to God of herself, all she has, to the carefully calculated gifts of the wealthy, who give from their surplus. I can see why Our Lord admires the widow’s gift, […]