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…
As this rainy day in Rome comes to a close, I want to share a bit of my heart with all of you. While the delegates spent Monday and Tuesday in prayer and reflection, the official opening of the Synod began with Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday, and Read more…
The second session of the Synod on Synodality has begun. After two days of prayer and reflection, the synod delegates gathered Tuesday evening in St. Peter’s Basilica with Pope Francis to pray for forgiveness of the Church’s sins and failures. The prayer service was profound, and a fitting way to Read more…
This entry is written enroute to Rome for the second session of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality. Preeminent on my mind are the good people of the Archdiocese of Seattle. I am so grateful to all our Archdiocesan team, priests, deacons, lay leaders and parishioners who are now well Read more…
As we kick off the political conventions this week and especially in light of the violence at a presidential campaign event in the past few days, it seems appropriate to reflect upon the proper role of politics and democracy in society. Our Catholic social teaching makes a distinction between the Read more…
This past Wednesday, August 10, our Holy Father, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on Vice and Virtue. This week he taught on the virtue of Fortitude. Think of what is needed to live our Christian faith well. Fortitude is a virtue that requires one to have a strong will in Read more…