Readings for December 25, 2015: The Nativity of the Lord (Mass at Dawn) In the days of Caesar Augustus, an era of peace was established in the Mediterranean world after centuries of strife. But this peace was forged by the…
Christmas Has a Deeper Meaning
The Mystery of the Incarnation
Readings for December 21, 2014: Fourth Sunday of Advent “Mystery,” he sneered. “That’s a good Catholic word.” My friend was a fundamentalist who had more than a bit of antipathy towards the Catholic Church, charging that it added to the…
John the Baptist and Spiritual Joy
Readings for December 14, 2014: Third Sunday of Advent On the third Sunday of Advent, penitential purple gives way to pink and we celebrate “Gaudete” or “Rejoice!” Sunday. “Rejoice heartily in the Lord, says Isaiah” (61:10). “My Spirit finds joy…
Prepare Ye the Way
Readings for December 7, 2014: 2nd Sunday of Advent Advent is a time of joyful anticipation. For someone even bigger than Santa Claus is coming to town. The human race has been waiting a long time for his next and…
You Snooze, You Lose
Readings for November 30, 2014: First Sunday of Advent Have you ever had one of those days when you just wish God would show up, snap his figures, and work miracles? The people of Israel had about 500 years’ worth…
Last Judgment
Readings for November 23, 2014: Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe On the final Sunday in the liturgical year, it is time to remember things that we’d prefer to forget. For starters, we recall that…
The Parable of the Talents
Readings for November 16, 2014: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time I’ve seen it time and time again. Someone decides to seek a better paying job, or pursue and investment strategy, or launch a new business. Invariably some pious person in…
Who Needs Church Buildings?
Readings for November 9, 2014: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome As a rebellious teenager, I thought that Catholics should stop wasting their money on expensive churches. We ought to sell them all and buy food…
Reflecting on All Souls Day
Readings for November 2, 2014: The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) I’ll never forget that bleak January day when my father died. It was very hard to believe in the resurrection as I watched the undertakers carry…
All Saints Day Means Holiness is For All!
Readings for November 1, 2014: Solemnity of All Saints At age 16, I thought that aspiring to holiness was out of the question. If you really wanted to be holy, I thought, you had to be a priest, nun, or…