August 23, 2023
Children, at times, question adult decisions when they are upset. Julie says to her mother, “What about Sam? He did the same thing yesterday, and you just talked at him for ten minutes! I got grounded!” She failed to add that Sam is three years younger and got a split lip when he landed on […]
August 22, 2023
Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Our reading from Judges today should be read many times for those who have difficulty with their faith at this time and also say, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” We have this wonderful exchange with an angel and […]
August 21, 2023
Memorial of Saint Pius X Today we honor the memory of Pope Pius X, a forerunner in organizing the laity for a special collaboration in the Church’s work. Like Saint Peter Julian Eymard years before, the Holy Father encouraged early and often reception of Holy Communion and, in 1905, promulgated a special decree for the […]
August 20, 2023
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus leaves Palestine to withdraw to the region of Tyre and Sidon, Gentile territory. A Canaanite woman begins to follow him, calling out repeatedly, Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David. My daughter is tormented by a demon. Notably, this pagan woman is addressing him as the Messiah, the […]
August 19, 2023
One of the most beautiful customs in Puerto Rico is that children greet their elders (parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles) with a simple word – “Bendición.” A greeting and a goodbye. A statement and a request. It means ‘blessing’ and is short for ‘bless me.’ It becomes as second nature as saying hello, and as […]
August 18, 2023
“Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? If we find forgiveness hard for us today, it was even more complicated in Jesus’ day. Then, the sense of honor was deeply ingrained in society. We can see this even today in honor killings that still take place in countries like […]
August 17, 2023
Forgiveness cannot exist without justice, for forgiveness’ very concept derives from justice. So many of us are taught to just say “Sorry” without considering justice, almost like an automatic reaction. This lack of thought and consideration devalues the meaning of our words, for they are very often empty gestures. Therefore, is it really unfair when […]
August 16, 2023
Today’s Gospel reading offers us Jesus’ admonition on what we used to call “fraternal correction.” If we sense that someone has offended us, we are to go, one-on-one, with that person and share our concerns. If that person does not listen, we are advised to take a few friends along to speak to the offender. […]
August 15, 2023
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Our Blessed Mother is a powerful intercessor for all of humanity. We read of her influence on Jesus at the wedding feast at Cana. What seemed to be a non-event became a pivotal historical point, the beginning of Jesus’s public ministry. In Revelation, we read in […]
August 14, 2023
Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr Today we remember Maximillian Kolbe and honor his choices with conviction and joy because he believed in God’s purpose for him. As a group, we are equally convinced of Saint Peter Julian’s inspiration to preach and live the Eucharist, becoming an example we strive to emulate. And […]