Today is the First Monday in Ordinary Time. A beginning, but not one that we really celebrate. Compared to the intensity of Advent—the color changes, the music, the familiar sermons about taking time for Advent—or the outright and overflowing joy…
Waiting for the Next Big Thing
The Baptism of the Lord
Readings for January 12, 2014: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord At first glance, the scene makes little sense. John’s strident call to repentance provokes an overwhelming response. People of all shapes and sizes flock to him in the…
Making a True Difference: Greater Good Technology
I love all of the terrific Catholic micro-funding campaigns going on — when we pool our small contributions together, the projects we help to fund have the potential to make lasting change in our world. Such is the case for Greater…
Drawn Together by the Bible
“Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence…” I had a great time at the new used bookstore this…
Catholic Pop Culture of 2013
There are many vulgar and immoral things in today’s popular culture. As a good friend of mine said, “Television today is a moral cesspool.” I therefore understand the impulse and reaction of many who choose not to spend their free…
Pressed into Service
”Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles,” (Matthew 5:41). Your son comes home from his first day of Early Childhood all excited, “Guess what, Mommy, we get to go on all the…
Micro-Evangelization
A new year brings with it a chance to reflect on what went well in the past and what can be better in the future. If our goal is to evangelize our culture, how can we do it better than…
A Reflection on Epiphany
Readings for January 5, 2014: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Up until now, all has been quite humble. A donkey ride to a dusty town south of Jerusalem. Hotel rooms all booked up. Giving birth in a stable…
Have You Heard His Voice?
Today’s Gospel is all about seeking God. John the Baptist, the herald, first pointed all Israel toward the coming of the Messiah. Once the Messiah had come, he pointed his own disciples toward Jesus too. I feel that these two…
The Hope We Have from Judas
Last time I spoke about Peter, the greatest of the Apostles, and our first Pope. This time I’d like to devote a few words to the least of the Apostles, Judas Iscariot. If Peter is special for always being listed…