A priest was once introduced to an Army officer who was a much-decorated war hero. The priest happened to know that the officer was a fallen-away Catholic, so he said to him, “Captain, as a fellow American, I’m proud of you. The medals you’re...
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, when the sign of the cross is made with ashes on our foreheads and is accompanied by the words “Remember man that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shall return.” The readings in the service that follows...
The readings for the First Sunday of Lent leave us feeling uneasy, somewhat uncomfortable and with troubling questions in our minds. The first and second readings (Genesis 9:8-15 and 1 Peter 3:18-22) mention the global devastation caused by the...
Lent is upon us. Many take the opportunity to grow closer to our Lord by taking on extra penances, fasting a little more often, or perhaps allotting additional time for prayer and devotion. Lenten practices are meant to establish more permanent...
This Lent, I have taken stock of my spiritual life and found it wanting. On the outside, it has looked robust. Daily Rosary, daily Mass a few times a week, Catechism in a Year podcast, spiritual fellowship groups. But inside, I have felt uninspired...
In the Gospel of John, perhaps more than anywhere else in the Bible, every single word is laden with symbolism and chosen carefully to evoke other significant, grace-filled events. The mention of a well tells those familiar with Holy Scripture that...
Some years ago a group of rabbis were meeting to study and discuss the Talmud, the Jewish book of commentaries on Scripture and the Law of Moses. One of them suggested they take a break, and offered to pay for refreshments—if someone else would go...
Lent, which is the 40 day period of spiritual preparation for the solemnity of Easter, is an excellent time of grace. As Pope Francis told us in his Message for this year’s Lent of 2023, while our ordinary commitments compel us to remain in our...
