Cutting Off What Kills
Sometimes the things that most endanger us appear normal and acceptable. The greatest threats may seem a part of our very selves.
All the Saints
There are saints all around us. They come in all ages, genders, and occupations. They make good things happen in our world.
When Do the Angels Come?
It is easy to recognize God’s presence with us once a trial is over. But, it takes faith for us to see the angels who are with us even as we suffer.
The Danger of the Cross
Without making an evil thing good, we believe that God has the power to make good come from it.
Marks of Wounds and Glory
In his risen body Jesus bears the marks of his passion to show us that when we admit our failures and our brokenness in light of his resurrection, they can lead to life.
Troubled by Angels
The angel appears to Mary and begins with a beautiful greeting: “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” Why then does the next line tell us that Mary was greatly disturbed?
Breaking the Silence
Silence destroys relationships. Psalms push through our barrier of silence with God. When a psalm is prayed sincerely it breaks through emptiness and takes the risk of opening communication with the Almighty.
A Catholic Approach to the Passion Narratives
Catholic teaching insists that the Jewish people are not cursed or responsible for Jesus’ death. Yet Matthew 27:15-26 presents the Jewish crowd “as a whole” calling for crucifixion and saying that Jesus’ blood might fall upon them!
Three Gifts, Three Kings
The scriptures do not tell us how many wise men came to honor the Christ Child. But the Christian imagination concluded that if there were three gifts, there were three magi. This insight has deep spiritual meaning.
The Goats Speak Back
Giving is is eternally important. Yet it is impossible to give unless someone is willing to receive.
When God Keeps Calling
The story of Samuel asks us not to be prepared in case God calls us but to recognize signs in our life that God has already called us.
A Dove at Jesus’ Baptism
It is said that as Jesus comes out of the water, the Spirit of God descends on him like a dove. But scholars cannot figure out what the dove is meant to signify.