There is a significant difference between being trusting and being naïve. Jeremiah seems to have still been a blend of both naiveté and trust. Not having attained complete trust in God (and remaining somewhat naïve) he was taken by surprise at the treachery of his enemies—despite acknowledging that the Lord had informed him of their […]

Although for centuries commentators and homilists have written and spoken of Mary’s so-called “yes” to the Angel Gabriel’s announcement, it is worth recalling that the angel didn’t actually phrase the announcement in the form of a question but rather in the form of a simple statement: You will conceive in your womb and bear a […]

That purity of heart without which we cannot see God is also the same purity of heart that enables us to truly see one another. Many of our interpersonal conflicts are the result of viewing others through the distorting lenses imposed by our still unpurified hearts. Thus, like the man in today’s gospel—who saw people […]

Saint Augustine reminds us that our prayers of petition are not to inform God of needs we have and of which he is unaware. Instead, says Augustine, our petitions are a way of preparing our hearts to receive what God already knows we need and wishes to give us. Jesus exemplifies this in the feeding […]

This morning’s readings have an important lesson about sin and an equally important teaching about grace. David’s sin reminds us that sin impacts not only the sinner but inevitably affects others in typically negative ways. On the other hand, Jesus’ ability to cure some of the sick in his hometown—despite the majority’s disbelief and rejection […]

Confessing our sins over and over again while not seeming to make any progress can be very discouraging. However, this unsparing recognition of our sins is an indispensable means to ensuring that even though we aren’t making great progress, we are at least not getting worse. It is inadvertence to our sins—especially the less serious—that […]

Although the death of Goliath (described in our first reading) was that of a dangerous enemy and most likely prevented the death of many others, it was nevertheless the ending of a life deemed precious in the eyes of the Lord. Accordingly, even when the death of one, prevents the death of many, it remains […]

Although Saint Mark describes Jesus as preaching and driving out demons as if these were separate and distinct functions, in many instances these are one and the same thing. For with Jesus preaching is always synonymous with the Truth and when the Truth is preached and heard, falsehood and ignorance—those hiding places of the demons—are […]

As our days grow imperceptibly longer and brighter, we know that those in far northern latitudes still endure the darkness of twenty-four-hour nights. Although darkness can be experienced as soothing and even comforting, it can also occasion anxiety, confusion, and a sense of being lost. Thus, the people that walked in darkness and have seen […]

Mary and John the Baptist both challenge us not only in witnessing to Christ by who we are, but also in recognizing his presence in others. Mary, because of the unique person she is, was able to carry Christ within her physically, and simultaneously radiate his living presence to both Elizabeth and John the Baptist. […]