Why do we make the sign of the cross when entering the church, at the beginning of the mass or any other prayer? The answer is both simple and profound.  In the Sign of the Cross, we profess the deepest mysteries of the Christian Faith, the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and the saving work of  Read more …

No entitlement in the Kingdom of God The parable of the workers in the vineyard, in today’s Gospel, serves as a corrective to false notions of entitlement and merit. The story reflects the socio-economic background of Palestine at the time of Jesus. The parable is offensive to our mundane culture and it challenges our secular  Read more …

People often don’t look forward to Lent. Childhood memories of giving up candy or sitting through weekly Stations of the Cross come immediately to mind. Words like “sacrifice,” “discipline,” and “self-denial” are often used in ways that suggest that Lent is something to be endured rather than a time of grace and spiritual growth. Have you ever  Read more …

It’s normal to worry from time to time.  Given life’s many unknowns and challenges, worry could be considered a natural response to many situations.  But chronic and all-consuming worry can be troublesome and interfere with our ability to function freely and calmly in our daily lives.  More importantly, problem worry can make faith in God  Read more …

Concern for Others is the Beginning of Miracles Jesus bestows a huge honor on his mother Mary in the Gospel today during the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11).  He calls her the first woman of the New Covenant.  At Calvary, as the first woman of the New Covenant, she becomes Mother of the Church, the  Read more …

Be patient in tribulation, fervent in Spirit The epistle appointed for today’s mass opens with a long list of advice for spiritual welfare.  “People are always impatient, but God is never in a hurry!” Nikos Kazantzakis wrote those words and they highlight an important truth: We need to be patient, infinitely patient, with God. We  Read more …

What are Charisms? The word “charismatic” comes from the Greek word for “gift.”  There are many charisms, and God distributes them differently to different people.  The Bible, in 1 Corinthians 7:7, shows us that everyone “has a particular gift (charisma) from God, one of one kind and one of another.” Romans 12:6-8 lists gifts of Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, and  Read more …

Epiphany: “Lumen requirunt lumine” Which means by following a light, they sought the light. The feast of Epiphany has the makings of high drama.  It features long journeys, guiding stars, ominous danger, holy dreams, great escapes, and a threatened baby. Epiphany’s conflicts are boldly drawn. Light fights night.  The joy of discovery ends long wandering. Truth foils deception. The  Read more …

Where are you going? The feast of epiphany opens a new era in the life of the three “wise men”, “Magi” who left their Eastern region to follow the “star”.  That journey changed them.  Following the star sets a new beginning, a new year so to speak.  And they know where they are going: to  Read more …

The Last Gospel St. John 1:1-14 1   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2   The same was in the beginning with God. 3   All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4  Read more …