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I was recently asked to write about how saints are made in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has a formal process for recognizing saints. Please notice that I said “recognizing saints,” not “making saints.” Why the distinction? Because the…
Read MoreLast Sunday, we heard of Abraham’s hospitality to the Lord. At that point, Abraham did not know it was the Lord. Now (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C) the Lord says to Abraham, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah…
Read MoreAfter 3 1/2 months without doing a webinar/presentation, I am happy to announce that I have scheduled a webinar for Thursday, August 25th, at 6:30 pm. called “Praying the Rosary From the Heart.” Here is a description of what I…
Read MoreI recently had a couple who are regularly readers of this blog and participants in my webinars ask me if I have anything new to offer on the liturgical year and/or the lectionary. As regular readers they are already aware…
Read More16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CGenesis 18:1-10aPsalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5 (1a)Colossians 1:24-28Luke 10:38-42July 17, 2022 Abraham loved the Lord. Today we hear of a time when “the LORD appeared to Abraham” but Abraham did not know it was the…
Read MoreIn the fall of 2020 I did a series of presentations entitled, Uncovering the Treasures of the Mass. The goal of that series was to help people understand why we do what we do at Mass. From better understanding, we…
Read MoreGod had called Moses to lead his people from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. Our first reading today (15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C) comes just before Moses dies prior to the Israelites entering the promised land.…
Read MoreAs I have been looking for topics for new articles for this blog, the topic of who can receive Communion in the Catholic Church has been in the news. In the news it involves politicians. I am not going to…
Read MoreIn our gospel reading today, Jesus frees people from illnesses. On the Cross, Jesus frees us from our sins. In the United States of America, today we celebrate another time of freedom. Today is July 4th. It is the anniversary…
Read More14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CIsaiah 66:10-14cPsalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 (1)Galatians 6:14-18Luke 10:1-12, 17-20July 3, 2022 We are called to be a missionary church. This means we are to share the gospel and God’s mercy with others.…
Read MoreIn its Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision released last week (June 24, 2022), the United States Supreme Court did what prolife advocates were hoping for. They overturned Roe vs. Wade. I found my heart heavy with the news.…
Read More13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 (see 5a)Galatians 5:1, 13-18Luke 9:51-62June 26, 2022 Today’s gospel passage begins a new section in Luke’s gospel that will continue until the time for Jesus’…
Read MoreThis is my sixth and final article offering reflections based on my reading of Judith Valente’s book, How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing. 2018). You can see…
Read More“In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine” to Abram (who would become known as Abraham). This was ordinary bread and wine. One day Jesus will offer something far greater than ordinary bread and wine. As…
Read MoreThis is my fifth article offering reflections based on my reading of Judith Valente’s book, How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing. 2018). You can see the four…
Read MoreThe Most Holy Trinity, Year CProvers 8:22-31 Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (2a) Romans 5:1-5John 16:12-15 June 12, 2022 Our Easter season is over and we have resumed Ordinary Time. Today we celebrate a special solemnity, The Most Holy Trinity. You…
Read MoreThis is my fourth article offering some reflections based on my reading of Judith Valente’s book, How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing. 2018). You can see the…
Read MoreToday we draw our Easter season to a close with our celebration of Pentecost. As our first reading begins, “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, there were all in one place together.” For the Jews, it was the time…
Read MoreAs I continue my series of articles offering some reflections based on my reading of Judith Valente’s book, How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing. 2018) (See my…
Read More7th Sunday of Easter, Year CActs 7:55-60 Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9 (1a, 9a)Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20John 17:20-26 May 29, 2022 Jesus knew He was about to be arrested, tried, and crucified. The Gospel of John presents in chapters 14-17 Jesus’…
Read MoreLast week I started a new series of articles reflecting on Judith Valente’s book How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing. 2018) with my article, “Being Spiritual in…
Read More6th Sunday of Easter, Year CActs 15:1-2, 22-29 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (4) Revelation 21:10-14a, 22-23John 14:23-29 May 22, 2022 Some of the people had been upset by teachings they heard. It has disturbed their peace of mind. This…
Read More“This is a book about living. Not about surviving, but living a balanced, meaningful, and attentive life” (1). These are Judith Valente’s opening words in her book How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness,…
Read More5th Sunday of Easter, Year CActs 14:21-27 Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13 Revelation 21:1-5aJohn 13:31-33a, 34-35May 15, 2022 Paul and Barnabas continued to proclaim “the good news.” Through their ministry and God’s grace, “a considerable number of disciples” were made. God…
Read MoreThose of you who are long-time readers of my blog know that from time to time, I like to write about the importance of following the news. As Christians we are called to pray for the needs of our brothers…
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