Author Archives: StreetEvangelist

Today, our church commemorates Laetare Sunday from the Latin “to rejoice” where we see a change in the vestments worn to a rose color. We recall that while we are wandering through our spiritual deserts in conducting our penances of increased prayer, almsgiving, fasting & drawing closer to the Lord, we are awaiting with joyfulContinue reading “Laetare Sunday – 4th Sunday of Lent Reflection”

Spring is on the horizon and the commercialization of Easter is on full display in the stores. The Easter bunny has little to do with the true reason for the season. As John the Baptist proclaimed at the sight of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (Jn.1:29).Continue reading “It’s Not About the Bunny, It’s About the Lamb”

Jn. 1:35-42 The passage from John’s gospel describing how John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God to two of his disciples (followers) is a reminder of our Christian mission. The disciples of John at hearing such a proclamation left John to go and follow Jesus. Just as in another passage of John’sContinue reading “The Call – How We Are To Lead Others to Christ Jesus. 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, year B”

Today the Church recalls Epiphany Sunday in which the three kings or magi from the east saw the star and brought our Lord Jesus gifts. The word epiphany from the Greek means appearance or manifestation. In the eastern church they use the word theophany or revelation of God. Gold symbolizes the earthly treasure typically givenContinue reading “Ephiphany Sunday”

What is your experience of family? Perhaps your family isn’t perfect? That’s ok as the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph didn’t have an easy time from the accounts of scripture. Within this octave of Christmas, we contemplate the example of the Holy Family and how they were continually being led back to God’sContinue reading “The Holy Family”

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us! (Jn. 1:14). How can you live more fully the reality of the Incarnation in your life where God’s Son becomes one of us to lift us up to a more godly and ontological destiny? This is the theme of the Christmas season. Our 9 year oldContinue reading “Merry Christmas Season”

Today the Church recognizes Guadaute Sunday of the third week of Advent. “Guadaute”is derived from the Latin words “gaudium,” joy, and “gaudeo,” to rejoice or be glad. Our society teaches us that it is so easy not to be joyful in the world we live in. Oftentimes we have feelings that we think resemble joy,Continue reading “Guadaute Sunday – Rejoice in The Lord”

My wife, daughter and I recently celebrated 10 years of marriage with a recent Hawaiian cruise. As I reflect on 10 years of marriage and being blessed with a daughter, I am left with the idea that this life God gives us is like a photo album. Life will throw us a curve ball andContinue reading “Reflecting on 10 Years of Marriage & Making Life Count with God’s great gift”

From a Sermon from Leo the Great Although the universal Church of God is constituted of distinct orders of members, still, in spite of the many parts of its holy body, the Church subsists as an integral whole, just as the Apostle says: We are all one in Christ. No difference in office is soContinue reading “Saint Leo the Great”

On this 30th Sunday in ordinary time the gospel from Matthew reminds us of the greatest command summarized in two didactics by Jesus the Christ. Jesus reminds us of the need for love of God and our neighbor. Such a reminder summarizes the 10 commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Jesus reminds us ofContinue reading “The Greatest Commandment”

Many will deny that praying for peace or for others is a fruitless endeavor per the call of Pope Francis for us to unite in prayer and fasting on this day for peace in our world. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/the-pope-s-appeals-for-peace-in-a-world-torn-by-war.html We are reminded in the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 26), Mark (chapter 14), Luke (chapter 22) that JesusContinue reading “Pray for Peace”

To our Jewish brothers & sisters observing Yom Kippur, many blessings. Tzom kal. Chag sameach. https://www.jewfaq.org/yom_kippur

For us Catholics, the Sacrament of Healing known as Reconciliation or Penance is a beautiful sacrament to behold. In the drawing by Pietro Antonio Novelli, there is a picture of a penitent confessing sins to a priest being held by the chains of the devil. The other drawing to the left is of a penitentContinue reading “The Importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for Catholics”

For this 22nd Sunday in ordinary time we have some challenging readings. It is easy to decorate our homes and places of worship with the cross. We proudly display the cross as a piece of jewelry and as a sign of our faith. However, the cross that we are all called to carry is notContinue reading “Take Up Thy Cross”

Mk. 6:17-29 Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted toContinue reading “Beheading of St. John the Baptist”

Mt. 16:16-19 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and uponContinue reading “Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Keys to the Kingdom”

Sálve Regina, Máter misericórdiae, vita, dulcédo, et spes nóstra, sálve. Ad te clamámus, éxsules filii Evae. Ad te suspirámus geméntes et fientes in hac lacrymárum valle. Eia ergo, advocáta nóstra, illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte. Et Jésum, benedíctum frúctum véntris tui, nóbis, post hoc exilium osténde. O clémens, o pía, o dúlcis VirgoContinue reading “Our Lady, Mother and Queen”

Matthew 15:21–28 At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples cameContinue reading “O woman, great is your faith!”

Our family recently made a video of us praying the rosary. When a young child wants to be a “YouTube star” what better way than by sharing the faith. The rosary is a great family prayer reflecting upon the life & times of Jesus and Mary. An old saying, “the family that prays together, staysContinue reading “The Rosary”

The 1st reading from the Old Testament book from 1 Kings chapter 19 has the prophet Elijah seeking shelter at the Holy mountain of God on Mt. Horeb or Mt. Sinai. Throughout both the old and new testament writings, the subtle way in which God reveals Himself to His creation is done in ways thatContinue reading “19th Sunday In Ordinary Time: Listening For God’s Voice During The Storms of Life”

Early Christians and many faith traditions acknowledge the fact that we are mortal beings here on this earth for a short time. Time flies, Remember death (Tempus fugit, Memento mori) is a motto we should recall. While no one likes to discuss such an unpleasant topic, it is one that should be at the forefrontContinue reading “Tempus Fugit. Memento Mori: A Reminder Of Our Limited Time & Need to Prepare”

Fatherhood is a great gift bestowed upon all who are called to be not only biological fathers, adoptive fathers, but spiritual fathers as well. When I first learned the news that my wife was pregnant I was overjoyed with the prospect of being a dad. My wife and I chose the name, Abigail. Abigail translatesContinue reading “Fatherhood: A Sign of God’s Love on Earth”

Today the church recalls the account from Luke’s gospel reminding us of Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth. The second joyful mystery after the Annunciation from the angelic messenger is the Visitation where two holy women converse in great joy. Lk. Ch.1:39-45: During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste toContinue reading “My Soul Proclaims God’s Greatness – The Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary”

St. Catherine of Siena was born in Siena, Italy in the 1347. From an early age Catherine’s love of God was apparent. She once cut her hair short and fasted in order to avoid marriage as she was in love with Jesus the Christ. Instead of joining the convent, she joined the Third Order ofContinue reading “St. Catherine of Siena”

Mercy is one of those words that holds a certain esteem for the definitions according to Merriam Webster resembles a sacred complexity. One of the definitions is that mercy is “a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion.” Let us reflect on the definition and sacred aspect of Mercy as Christians thisContinue reading “Divine Mercy Sunday”

As we continue this Eastertide until Pentecost we are reminded that the celebration continues. We have the joy of His resurrection alive in our hearts. We are reminded from the Gospel of Matthew that the disciples ran to tell others the good news: Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, andContinue reading “Let the Easter Celebration Continue: Run & Tell The Good News that Christ Jesus is Alive”

The Greek Orthodox greet one another during the Easter season with the phrase Christos Anesti! (Christ is risen). The response is Alithos Anesti (truly He is risen). During this Easter season we recall the defeat of sin and death and the glorious resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord. Just as the penitent thief on theContinue reading “Christos Anesti, Alithos Anesti!”

This week begins Holy Week. With the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and the crowd waving palm branches proclaiming Hosanna in the Highest! How quickly does this narrative change with the words of Jesus, Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani from Psalm 22:1 meaning my God, my God why have you forsaken me? David’s prophecy from psalmContinue reading “Holy Week, A Reflection”

Today marks what used to be known as Passion Sunday in the pre 1969 church calendar reminding of Jesus’s upcoming suffering & his hiding from those that wished to stone him. The gospel account recalling the death and raising of Lazarus from John 11:1-45 reminds us of the need to put to death those earthlyContinue reading “The Raising of Lazarus: 5th Sunday of Lent & Passiontide Reflection”