Spending time with today’s Mass readings, prayers, and scripture from the Liturgy of Hours drives home a strong invitation from this Advent season: conversion of life to the LORD. What stands out most is the call to grow in good deeds to others. Spend some time praying and reflecting on Read more…
In some ways, our earthquake, ‘end of times’ experience yesterday, and the aftershocks through the night, were too graphic of an ‘ending’ to this liturgical year. Though it felt somewhat ‘like the end’ several times yesterday, here is a reflection to begin the new liturgical year and Advent. May this Read more…
My own spiritual practice recently is focusing on the reality of God’s faithfulness and the intimate presence of Jesus with me at all times. Attached to this practice is the intention to consciously walk with Jesus (and our Lady) each moment of the day. God’s faithfulness calls us to the Read more…
We are now in the final days of Advent. Is our longing for the Lord stronger? Is our cry for the Lord more intimate? Today’s first reading from the Song of Songs is perhaps one of the most intimate expressions of longing for the Lord in all of Sacred Scripture, Read more…
Yesterday evening, we had a meaningful celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral officially opening the Holy Door to the Year of Mercy. I pray this Year of Mercy will be a source of grace moving many people to a closer relationship with Christ, and more meaningful relationships with all. I’m Read more…
As a new Advent season begins, our readings draw attention to creation. From references to ‘the mountain of the Lord,’ (Isaiah 2: 1-5) to trees, branches, and fruit, (Isaiah 4) to the creatures of the earth that learn to live together in peace, (Isaiah 11) we are reminded of the Read more…
It is so easy in this world to have hearts cluttered by superficial and transient things. Human hearts easily become like the ruins of ancient cities, covered over by centuries of debris, only to be discovered after much excavation. Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Read more…
On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we celebrate the mystery and magnificence of God. With great love, God created all things, the culmination being the creation of man and woman in his own image. Imagine our dignity, being created in the image and likeness of God, for relationship with Read more…
This Second Sunday of Advent, the People of God is invited to re-discover the deepest desire of their heart. This human desire is for God. This longing of every human person is precisely what John the Baptist is helping people acknowledge and receive through his baptism of repentance. “Repent, Read more…
On this First Sunday of Advent, Jesus calls us to “Stay Awake!” (Matthew) St. Paul uses similar language when reminding us that this is the “Hour to wake from your sleep; our salvation is near at hand.” (Romans) Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Read more…