August 28, 2023
Memorial of Saint Augustine Today’s first reading could easily serve as a description of today’s saint, Augustine (354-430). Paul writes that the Thessalonians found faith not through the words of Scripture alone “but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.” In his Confessions, the first autobiography in Western literature, Augustine […]
August 27, 2023
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time My granddaughter Molly has been afraid of police officers most of her life. As a little girl, she would get out of her car seat. Mom and Dad used the arrest tactic to get her to abide by the law. She’s seventeen, and yesterday while cruising on the beach with […]
August 26, 2023
How do we do life? At what level of consciousness do we operate or live? Do we practice what we preach or speak? Do we filter what we think or blurt it out? Matthew has put a lot to thought about that in today’s gospel reading. Do we practice religion and have a relationship with […]
August 25, 2023
Have you ever witnessed an act of deep compassion and love by someone who is not Catholic, or even Christian, or doesn’t even attend church? I have – on many occasions. It is both an inspiring and challenging experience. And sometimes, even embarrassing. I attend church regularly, pray daily, read the Scriptures, etc. And yet, […]
August 24, 2023
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle “Come and see.” Our religious organizations create invitations through different media to learn more about their missions and encourage an interest in becoming a religious or active evangelical lay partner. But some people speak of themselves as “non-joiners”— no clubs, groups, or teams for them. However, they do belong to […]
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 […]