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. […]

In reflecting on today’s gospel, Saint Angela of Foligno, commented: See how Christ gave Himself as an example. Jesus told us to look at Him with the eyes of our souls. God said: “Learn from me. I am gentle. My soul is humble. You’ll find rest for your hearts here.” Pay attention to what Christ […]

The choices of every moment and the actions of every day, are gradually forming the attitude and state of mind with which we will face death. King Antiochus ends his life in misery and regret for all the evils he set in motion and this stands in sharp contrast to someone like the saintly Simeon […]

The Good Shepherd who goes in search of the stray sheep while leaving the other ninety-nine in the desert is a good image for ourselves in seeking out and reclaiming aspects of our true identity lost or severely impaired by enslavement to sin. This is a difficult and painful process and we would prefer to […]