I pray the Rosary. I like to do the mysteries, but I’ve been doing them for a long time, and like to reflect on other themes besides the 3, oops, 4 sets that we have to choose from. So I…
Rosary Riff
Holy Mary, the World’s Most Powerful Woman
Someone unexpected was on the cover of the December 2015 issue of National Geographic: not a global political leader, nor an idol of pop culture, but the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is not every day that we see our Lord’s…
3 Wise Men and Post-Holiday Blues
I hate the end of the Christmas season! Everything appears to be so vanilla including lights, food, and people’s spirits. On January 2 I get depressed for a couple of weeks as I adjust to the new normal. Recently though…
Sharing the Heart of Pre-Evangelization
In his great teaching on evangelization in the modern world, Pope Paul VI noted the importance of the sentiments of the human heart when it comes to pre-evangelization–the critical bridge of trust and interest before the Gospel of Jesus Christ…
Baptism of the Lord
Readings for Jan 10, the 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…
When You Give, When You Pray, When You Fast
It is perhaps interesting to note that Christ never commands his disciples to read the Scriptures daily. Living in a culture which was largely illiterate and lacked the technology to produce books, it probably wouldn’t have done much good anyway…
Bearing Witness to the Truth
Since taking part in my first 40 Days for Life, I’ve been reflecting on the Sorrowful Mysteries — in particular, a set of Biblical meditations from Rosary Army’s Scriptural Rosary. In the Second Sorrowful Mystery meditation, we read this: “Jesus…
How Was It?
Finally, the “hectic” has faded and all of the hullabaloo from the Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day corridor has settled down. I’ve got to admit, it’s almost a relief. As vacations wrap up we greet co-workers, friends and family who…
Fruits of the Season
Whether the holidays bring us closer to our family or we still keep our distance, they are always our family. Some family members are more loveable than others. We are more loveable to some of them than to others. But…
Catholic Pop Culture of 2015
As I have for the last two years I shall recall any good things from the popular culture that are harmonious or helpful to Catholic culture. There were many things past year and many things coming up in 2016 that…