Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14 Responsorial: Psalm 128:1-5 2nd Reading: Colossians 3:12-21 Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 Becoming Holy Faith-Filled Families, Reflecting God’s Love to One Another The child’s father and mother were amazed. (Luke 2:33) So here we are, on the cusp of a new year. […]
When one looks at the liturgical calendar, one sees a message the Church is attempting to instill within us. Right after we erupt with jubilation over the birth of Christ, we meditate over the first martyr, St. Stephen. He reminds us that this joy has a price, and that price is higher than we could […]
Joseph journeyed all the way To Bethlehem and Christmas Day Beginning, as good things often do In prayer to He Who makes things new Zechariah turned to God in prayer To ask that God show him where To find the man who should be Wed to the Queen of Galilee Wonder! An angel in answer […]
The Classic manger scenes always include cows (or oxen), donkeys (or mules), and sheep. The Egyptian god Apis was a bull who was believed to be a king and who would become a god after his ritual slaughter. The Roman god Consus was a protector of grain, who had an altar underground, and who considered mules […]
Before The Paling Of The Stars Before The Paling Of The Stars Before the winter morn, Before the earliest cock crow, Jesus Christ was born: Born in a stable, Cradled in a manger, In the world his hands had made Born a stranger. Priest and king lay fast asleep In Jerusalem; Young and old lay […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Responsorial: Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29 2nd Reading: Romans 16:25-27 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Advent: A Time to Thank the Lord for His Unmerited Grace and Favor You have found favor with God. (Luke 1:30) We all know how […]
Padre Pio and an Exorcist Talk About Angels While many of us have felt our angel’s presence at times or at least trust that he’s there, what do all the guardian angels do when people turn from God? Are they still on guard? During an interview with Father Patrick, (not his real name) an exorcist […]
As I age and have more life behind me than in front of me, I find myself in my deepest emotional hurts identifying most intensely with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here is the woman who in her own Earthly life experienced so much suffering through her fiat. God designed woman in a particularly ingenious way […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 Responsorial: Luke 1:46-50, 53-54 2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 Responding to the Call to Pray without Ceasing Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Without ceasing? That sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Take heart! Paul doesn’t really mean […]
To live the meaning of “prepare.” The meaning of “wait.” A tradition as simple as the lighting of the stately lavender tapers, ring of purples and pink, each boy eagerly anticipating leading the nightly prayer. Or reciting the scripture verse. And do they ever read this verse with care, as their first Advent morning utterances […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Responsorial: Psalm 85:9-14 2nd Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14 Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 Advent, A Time to Open Ourselves to a Deeper Infilling of the Holy Spirit He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8) The Holy Spirit—he makes all […]
This title is from the first lines of a poem/prayer I first heard from my Mom as a little boy. This is more an invitation than an article for readers. Please speak your thoughts in comments below about how Mary, today, would teach us how to pray. Imagine if it were possible – Our Lady […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7 Responsorial: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Gospel: Mark 13:33-37 Advent, A Season of Hope and Expectation Be watchful! Be alert! (Mark 13:33) It’s the First Sunday of Advent, and you have just received an invitation: […]
In general, people are born into certain groups based on their personal, social, and cultural surroundings. They also voluntarily join groups based on shared occupations, beliefs, or interests. Membership in these groups influences how people think of themselves and how others think of them. (Science for All Americans, pp. 91–93). We do not choose our […]
