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In today’s first reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C, Micah offers the Israelites hope during a difficult time. It is written following the fall on the northern kingdom. The Israelites are worried what is going to happen…
Read MoreI just finished reading Understanding Divine Mercy by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC (Stockbridge:MA. Marian Press. 2021). He writes as a member of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception from the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA. Fr.…
Read MoreI recently posted an article, “Helping Our Children be Disciples,” inspired by my recent reading of An Evangelizing Catechesis: Teaching from Your Encounter with Christ by James C. Pauley (Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. 2020). Today I would like to…
Read MoreThose who are regular readers of my blog know that evangelization, the sharing of our faith, is very important to me. The articles I write here, on my website, and the presentations (also available on my website) are all geared…
Read MoreToday (December 12, 2021) we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, Year C. The normal liturgical color for Advent is violet (we often say purple). We use the color violent as a sign of penance, especially in Lent. Thinking of…
Read MoreThe Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MaryGenesis 3:9-15, 20Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 (1)Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Luke 1:26-38December 8, 2021 Our readings today begin in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were there in paradise until the cunning serpent came…
Read MoreToday, December 6th, is the Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas. We don’t know much about him. During our present season of Advent, the memorial of saints aren’t given as much attention. However, this year I feel inspired to use what…
Read More2nd Sunday of Advent, Year CBaruch 5:1-9Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (3)Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11Luke 3:1-6December 5, 2021 At the time of the event in today’s gospel, Jesus has already been born. Soon He will begin his public ministry. However, before…
Read MoreLast night I offered the third and final webinar in my series, Giving Our Hearts to God: What It Means to Pray. You can view the recording of this webinar and see the slides at www.renewaloffaith.org/prayer2021partIII. The recording is 1…
Read MoreThere is confusion over the question of who can receive Communion in the Catholic Church. The question comes up in the news because of prominent politicians who are Catholic but support abortion. Unfortunately, this leads to the politicization of the…
Read MoreSoon we will celebrate the first Coming of Jesus with our Christmas season. Christmas is too important to celebrate with just a single day. We celebrate Christmas a season that begins with our Christmas Masses and lasts until we celebrate…
Read MoreIn today’s first reading (Friday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I), we hear of a vision the prophet Daniel has. It contains imagery we may not understand, at least I know I don’t understand. The Bible continues a lot…
Read MoreThanksgiving DaySirach 50:22-24Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-111 Corinthians 1:3-9Luke 17:11-19November 25, 2021 Ten lepers came to Jesus calling out, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” Jesus replied by cleansing them of their leprosy. They had come to Jesus looking…
Read MoreI recently saw a news headline where a health official involved in the government’s handling of the Coronavirus pandemic said he did not cause political divisiveness. He is right. We have been becoming a polarized people for some time. This…
Read MoreOur Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year BDaniel 7:13-14Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5 (1a)Revelation 1:5-8John 18:33b-37November 21, 2021 This is the last Sunday of our liturgical year. We always celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of…
Read MoreI just uploaded the recording of the second webinar in my new series on prayer, Giving Our Hearts to God: What It Means to Pray. You can view the view and see the slides at www.renewaloffaith.org/prayer2021partII. This presentation focuses on Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and…
Read MoreI find myself having gone a week without posting an article here (except for the normal reflection on the Sunday readings). I haven’t written for two reasons. First, I find myself without definitive thoughts to write about. Sometimes an idea…
Read MoreOur liturgical year in the church is drawing to a close. In two weeks we will begin a new year with the First Sunday of Advent. As we draw this year to a close, our readings turn to the end…
Read MoreOur gospel reading and the first reading for this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) speak of God’s commandments. We think in terms of 10 commandments. The Jews list 613 commandments with the 10 being the most important and…
Read MoreI just uploaded the recording of the first webinar in my new series on prayer, Giving Our Hearts to God: What It Means to Pray. You can view the view and see the slides at www.renewaloffaith.org/prayer2021partI. Here’s a description for…
Read MoreIf you are reading this blog article, it would seem likely that your faith means something to you. It likely means faith is more for you than just going to church on Sunday for one hour. The time spent at…
Read More30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year BJeremiah 31:7-9Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (3)Hebrews 5:1-6Mark 10:46-52October 24, 2021 As Jesus leaves Jericho, “Bartimaeus, a blind man,” is sitting by the roadside begging. When he hears that Jesus of Nazareth is there,…
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