There are moments in our lives when we are faced with decisions that change us and shape our lives. Sometimes we are not fully aware of how life-changing a particular moment and decision might be. At other times we at least have a sense, if not an explicit awareness, that we have come to a [...]
We begin Lent with the sign of the cross on our foreheads and we end by renewing our faith and commitment when we were likewise signed at our Baptism and Confirmation. This time between ashes and chrism is a time to reflect upon whom we are and what our mission is as individuals and as [...]
This weekend before the beginning of Lent the Scriptures lead us to consider where we ground our lives, where we find the source of our hope, and where we find the true source of blessedness. This is most appropriate for us to move from our childhood experience to Lent as “giving up something” for 40 [...]
As we begin a new job, a new relationship, or a new commitment we look forward to the possibilities which we can envision. At the same time we look for encouragement and assurance as we face challenges both foreseen and unforeseen. Jesus experienced this as much as any one of us. We have heard of [...]
This weekend we give attention to three communities who hear the Word of God and respond. The people of Israel hear the Word proclaimed from the scroll as they begin a new life after they had returned from exile. The people of Nazareth hear Jesus, one of their own, proclaim the Word from the scroll [...]
This week the Church completes a set of three celebrations that set forth the revealing of Jesus as Son of God and Messiah and initiate His Ministry. The Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord are followed by the changing of water into wine at Cana. This first sign in the Gospel of John points to [...]
On the Feast of the Epiphany or “El Dia de los Reyes” among Hispanic communities and in Latin America there is a custom of hiding a small plastic baby Jesus in a cake baked especially for the feast. The figure is hidden in the cake recalling the efforts to hide Jesus from the soldiers of [...]
What is it that makes a family “holy”? We have expectations of peacefulness, a lack of turmoil or discord, or an ability to deal with the ups and downs of life with equanimity. These expectations can lead us to judge our own families as not “holy”. A microcosm of this can be seen in parents [...]
As the celebration of Christmas approaches, Mary becomes the very embodiment of how a faithful disciple becomes open to the presence of God and bears that presence to others. Her first response is trust and commitment. Her second response is to move outside herself to minister to the needs of Elizabeth. In doing so she [...]
We hear the call to rejoice, but it does not seem possible to do so. If we expect only the joy of the moment, the joy rooted in our own success and happiness, or the joy of no difficulties, then it is indeed impossible to rejoice always. If we look for the joy that is [...]
