It is one of the mysteries of our Christian faith and spirituality that grace seems to work in so many different ways in bringing us to salvation. Notwithstanding the many influential factors at work in the life of each one of us, there does seem to be the added factor of God’s choice or decision. […]

Idleness may be the enemy of the soul, but so is busyness when it is purposely pursued—often as a way of dealing with anxiety and restlessness. Peter seems to have done precisely this when, being at something of a loose end in those confusing hours and days following the crucifixion, he announced that he was […]

It is not uncommon to reread a scriptural text and be struck by some minor detail previously unnoticed. In reflecting on tonight’s gospel I had one of those experiences—this time relating to the great heavy stone sealing the Lord’s tomb and how it was removed. Although all four gospels speak of the same stone, Matthew […]

Psychological narcissism does what Christ expressly says he does not do, namely, glorify himself. Instead, he explains, it is my Father who glorifies me. This is a reminder that even if we are not overtly narcissistic we may still find ourselves looking to others for approval, affirmation, and a sense of self-worth. And whereas this […]

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 […]