Jesus knew rejection and betrayal. From his birth there were those who recognized something divine and wonderful was happening, while one sought to take his life as if foreshadowing what his end would be. But before that could take place, God’s mission of love, sent into the world, had to Read more…
In the early days of Jesus’ ministry, the Jewish people were looking for a Messiah who would bring them a political freedom from the presence of Roman troops and government, something akin to Moses freeing the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt. And yet, God has so much more in Read more…
We are now over a month into this Jubilee Year of Grace and Hope. The holy doors of each of the major basilicas in Rome are open and every arch/diocese across the world celebrated opening Masses in the Christmas season. I arrived in Rome on Sunday for a series of Read more…
The very presence of Jesus Christ in the world as the Son of God is a clear teaching of how God does not remain distant, but rather draws near to demonstrate and share his love. As Pope Francis stated: “The Lord knows the fine science of the caress. In his Read more…
Merry Christmas to all, with assurance of prayers for each of you. On this Christmas Day, I remember all of you in each of the Christmas Masses, and the same was true as we celebrated in St. James Cathedral last night. May we open our hearts to Christ today and Read more…
As our Advent journey continues, we are presented in the Gospel today (Matthew 17: 9-13) with Jesus telling his disciples that as the people failed to recognize John the Baptist as the return of Elijah, so too people will fail to comprehend Jesus as the promised Messiah; as the Son Read more…
For this fourth day of Advent we have a passage from Matthew’s Gospel (15: 29-37) [Once again an encouragement to read the Gospel and take time to silently reflect upon God’s eternal Word.] In today’s Gospel, another large crowd has gathered around Jesus. They bring to him for healing “the Read more…
In the final Resurrection account of St. John’s Gospel, Jesus is standing on the shore as Peter and some of the other disciples are fishing. At the Risen Lord’s instruction, they cast their nets for an abundant catch of fish. Later, Jesus ask Peter three times: “Do you love me?” Read more…
Yesterday, Pope Francis issued his fourth encyclical, Dilexit Nos; He loved us. Today’s Gospel (Luke 12:54-59) could perhaps shed some light on why this particular topic of the human and divine love of the heart of Jesus Christ is so timely. In this Gospel passage, Jesus tells the crowds: When Read more…