An oppressive darkness has settled upon the United States of America. Forty-eight years ago, on January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States “legalized” abortion on demand and this country has never recovered from the damage inflicted on our moral fiber as tens of millions of children have been sacrificed on the “altar of self” out of expediency […]
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Most of us have felt on occasion that things were going so badly that we just wished we could start all over! A second chance! Or maybe your life is not going that well and you realize that you are just not the person you should be. I would bet that most […]
OUR SEARCH FOR GOD It is likely that each of us here actively seeks the Lord. Jesus instructs us to seek Him, saying, “Seek and you will find.” Man and woman’s search for God is a recurring story through the ages as we try to discover the meaning of our lives. While meditating on the Fifth Joyful Mystery of the […]
The teaching that Mary is God’s mother was proclaimed to teach us that Jesus is true man AND true God. Each January 1 (the Octave of Christmas), the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. I receive more comments and questions from non-Catholics, and even some Catholics, about the Church’s Marian practices and teachings than just about any other topic. […]
Feeling let down by politicians and public figures who say they are Catholic, but their words and actions are often contrary to the teachings of the Church? Do we seek good examples for ourselves, our children or our grandchildren to emulate because we hope they will demonstrate in word and deed what it means to be authentically Catholic? Perhaps we […]
As I considered what to write for this post in the first week of 2021, I reflected on years of well-intended resolutions to lose weight, go to daily Mass, pick up a new hobby, play more tennis, etc. which ended in failure as my desires clashed with the reality of my busy schedule and stubborn resistance to change. I like […]
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Merry Christmas! It is a wonderful time as we celebrate our Savior’s birth with friends and loved ones. It is also an appropriate time to focus on what is most important and reject the siren call of our culture. I enjoyed this past Advent season, perhaps more […]
It is difficult to be a parent today, especially if you have a child or children with special needs. The days are emotional roller coaster rides often filled with frustration and only fleeting glimpses of progress. These families often push the pause button on their old lives as the focus becomes all about therapists, adaptive learning, fighting with schools for […]
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Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Readings:1 Samuel 3:3–10, 19Psalm 40:2, 4, 7–101 Corinthians 6:13–15, 17–20John 1:35–42 In the call of Samuel and of the first Apostles, today’s readings shed light on our own calling to be followers of Christ. Notice in the Gospel today that John’s disciples are […]
Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Third Sunday of Advent (Year B) Readings:Isaiah 61:1–2, 10–11Luke 1:46–50, 53–541 Thessalonians 5:16–24John 1:6–8, 19–28 The mysterious figure of John the Baptist, introduced in last week’s readings, comes into sharper focus today. Who he is, we see in today’s Gospel, is best understood by who he isn’t. He is not […]
During a time when parties and endless carols dull our spiritual senses, the message of Advent urges to wake up and be alert and vigilant. Our society is asleep spiritually. Here are some ideas to rouse ourselves, our famlies and our neighbors to a preparation for the Christmas holidays that is more life-giving and meaningful. Have you ever had one […]
Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Readings:Exodus 22:20–26Psalm 18:2–4, 47, 511 Thessalonians 1:5–10Matthew 22:34–40 Jesus came not to abolish the Old Testament law but to fulfill it (see Matthew 5:17). And in today’s Gospel, He reveals that love—of God and of neighbor—is the fulfillment of the whole of the […]
This week’s poem in the Catholic Poetry Room is by P.C. Scheponik. […]
Dear Sister, Is there a best time to pray, given all the activities each day holds for me—working at my job and caring for and being with my family makes a very full day? Also, I’m not fully awake first thing in the morning and already mighty tired by the time I lay my head on the pillow. I thought […]
This week’s poem in the Catholic Poetry Room is by Johanna Caton. […]
Heaven’s Difference If a thing makes no difference, it is a waste of time to think about it. We should begin, then, with the question, “What difference does Heaven make to earth, to now, to our lives?” The answer to the question is only the difference between hope and despair in the end, between two totally different visions of life; […]
“The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly, to do it because it is his will.” (Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton) The Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 – 1821) is January 4. Please share on social media. Print this […]
“But he [Stephen], filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, […]
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.” (Luke 2:4-6) Please share on […]
O Emmanuel: “O Emmanuel (God with us), our King and lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: come to save us, O Lord our God!” (Vespers for December 23rd; antiphon recited with the Magnificat) Please share this post on Facebook and other social media below: Print this entry