Who’s That Man in the Mirror? From Eden to the Desert – 1st Sunday Lent Reflection

Temptation in the Garden, print, Jean Mignon, after Luca Penni (MET, 49.50.250) from Wikimedia Commons
The Temptation of Jesus, print, Wenceslaus Hollar, inscribed as after Adam Elsheimer, more likely after David Teniers the Younger (MET, 17.50.18-157) from Wikimedia Commons

When we sin and fall from God’s grace, shame and vulnerability often follow. Like our first parents in Adam & Eve, we can begin to see ourselves as independent & self-sufficient. We forget that everything we are and have originates from God. Pride distorts our vision, tempting us to believe we stand alongside God’s grace as equals rather than living in complete dependence upon it. Compare this to the image of the vine to John’s gospel where God is the vine (source of our being) & we are the branches (Jn. 25:5). We cannot bear fruit without the source.

In the first reading from Genesis 2–3, Adam and Eve live in full communion with God. They are given every good gift, including the tree of life, with one mandate: they are not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16–17). The serpent deceives them, suggesting that God is withholding something good and that they can “be like gods” (Genesis 3:5). When they eat the forbidden fruit, “the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked” (Genesis 3:7). Their nakedness symbolizes more than physical exposure; it reveals a spiritual vulnerability with the loss of original holiness. The vine has been severed and cut as the trust between humanity and God has been broken.

The Catechism reminds us that through original sin our human nature was wounded and our image, though not destroyed, was distorted by concupiscence and an inclination toward sin. It is like looking into a cracked mirror. The reflection is still ours, but it is fractured and impaired. Sin leaves us spiritually exposed, no longer fully reflecting the divine likeness in which we were created. Through the sin of Adam and Eve, humanity lost original holiness and justice and our friendship with God was broken (CCC 396–400).

Yet this is not the end of the story. In the waters of Baptism and through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are cleansed of original sin and restored to divine life. We are made adopted sons and daughters, drawn into the loving communion of the Most Holy Trinity (CCC 1262–1266).

The Gospel account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert today found in Matthew’s gospel (4:1–11) presents a striking contrast. Led by the Spirit, Jesus fasts for forty days. The number forty recalls the forty days of the flood in the time of Noah (Gen. 7:17), a period of purification that led to covenant renewal, and Israel’s forty years in the wilderness. Where Adam failed in a garden of abundance, Christ triumphs in a desert of deprivation and desolation.

Jesus, the “new Adam” (Rom 5:12–19) resists the tempter by entrusting Himself completely to the Father. He declares, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:7). In Him, we see perfect & filial obedience. This filial obedience was lost with Adam & Eve. The second reading from Paul’s epistle reminds us that Christ’s temptation restores Adam & Eve’s broken nature for God remains faithful throughout the course of salvation history

This first week of Lent and the forty days that follow call us to fortitude and perseverance. We do not walk into the desert alone. Just as angels ministered to Christ (Matthew 4:11), God sends His holy angels to guard and guide us (cf. Psalm 91:11). We can confidently seek the intercession of our guardian angel, trusting that God desires our restoration, our holiness, and our joy.

Lent reveals our nakedness not to leave us in shame. It reveals our need so that we may be clothed once more in grace. We are no longer looking into a broken mirror. The reflection of God’s light and salvation through that prism reflects our true nature, a nature longing and waiting for our friend, God the Father.

Image Courtesy of Google Gemini AI

As we reflect on our fallen nature and our need for grace, the tradition of the Church invites us to examine our hearts through the lens of the seven deadly sins. These capital vices distort the image of God within us. If sin is like a cracked mirror, each of these vices represents another fracture across the surface of the glass. The image is still there, but it is splintered, warped, and unable to reflect clearly the divine likeness in which we were created.

  • Pride cracks the mirror at its center, placing the self where God alone belongs. It is healed by humility, which restores proper perspective and dependence on God.
  • Greed (avarice) clouds the mirror with possessiveness, fearing loss rather than trusting providence. It is healed by generosity, which clears the glass through self-giving love.
  • Lust distorts the mirror by reducing others to objects rather than persons made in God’s image. It is healed by chastity, which restores reverence and purity of heart.
  • Envy scratches the mirror with comparison and resentment. It is healed by charity, which rejoices in the good of others.
  • Gluttony dulls the mirror through excess and lack of self-restraint. It is healed by temperance, which brings balance and clarity.
  • Wrath shatters the mirror with anger and vengeance. It is healed by patience, which reflects God’s mercy.
  • Sloth (acedia) allows dust to gather over the mirror, neglecting the call to love and holiness. It is healed by diligence, which responds faithfully to grace.

Lent invites us to look honestly into this cracked mirror. We may see distortion, weakness, and fracture, but we also see the enduring imprint of God’s image. Through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, grace does not merely cover the cracks. It begins to mend them. As we cooperate with God’s grace, the mirror becomes clearer, and the radiant image of Christ within us shines forth once again. Once more, with the breaking of the bread & the receiving of the true manna come down from heaven with our Eucharistic banquet and reception of Jesus’s Body & Blood, soul & divinity, restores this broken image once more as we go back once more on our desert pilgrimage, waiting for the hope of the Easter & paschal mystery.

Shrove Tuesday – A Deeper Meaning Beyond Pancakes & Self-Indulgence

The Fight Between Carnival & Lent by Pieter Bruegel The Elder (1559) from the Public Domain

Today we stand on the threshold of Lent, a day known by many names such as Pancake Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, and Mardi Gras. Beneath the festivity lies a deeper spiritual meaning. Traditionally, the faithful would use up rich foods like milk, eggs, butter, and other indulgences in preparation for the simplicity and discipline of the Lenten fast. These luxuries symbolize the comforts and excesses that can dull our spiritual hunger and draw our senses toward overindulgence rather than toward God.

The word shrive gives Shrove Tuesday its name. In earlier times, the ringing of the shrove bell summoned townspeople to the parish church to confess their sins and receive absolution. This day was not merely about clearing the pantry, but about clearing the soul.

As we prepare to enter the Lenten season, we are called to examine our hearts with honesty and humility. What attachments, habits, or patterns of selfishness weigh us down? What distractions keep us from deeper communion with Christ? Lent invites us into the wilderness with Our Lord, a desert journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, so that we may shed what is not of God and grow in holiness.

Tomorrow, many faithful on Ash Wednesday will hear the solemn call of the prophet: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments” Joel 2:12 to 13. The ashes placed upon our foreheads remind us that we are dust and to dust we shall return, but they also mark us as those who desire true repentance.

May this day be more than a farewell to rich food & animal flesh (Carnival – carne). May it be a turning of the heart.

Fight Between Carnival and Lent. Frafment. The Face of Lent, Pieter Bruegel the Elder Year. 1559 retrieved https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Fight_Between_Carnival_and_Lent._Frafment._The_Face_of_Lent.png

Saint Blaise, Pray For Us

St. Blaise illustration by John D. Batten, 1860-1932, image in the public domain.

Saint Blaise stands quietly in the tradition of healers, not as one who erased suffering, but as one who met it without fear. In the story of his blessing of throats, we glimpse a deeper truth that care given at the right moment can loosen what feels stuck. Whether in the body, the voice, or the soul; His life reminds us that faith is often practiced not in grand speeches but in attentive presence.

Saint Blaise lived in the early fourth century in the city of Sebaste, in what is now modern Turkey. He was first known as a physician, and later chosen as a bishop. Blaise was admired for both his skill in healing and his quiet faith. During a period of Roman persecution, he withdrew to live in prayer and solitude where tradition says he continued to care for the sick and suffering. He was eventually arrested for refusing to deny his Christian faith. After imprisonment and hardship he was put to death. His witness of courage and compassion led the early Christian community to recognize him as a saint. His devotion spread especially through the blessing of throats which recalls an act of healing associated with his life.

The story of Saint Blaise reminds us that holiness is often shaped through service rather than recognition. He did not seek greatness, yet his care for others gave him a lasting voice. Reflecting on his life invites us to consider how we respond to pain and vulnerability in those around us. Like Blaise, we may not remove suffering but we can meet it with patience faith and gentle presence. We can allow hope and healing to take root in our own lives where it is most needed if we let go & let God.

Reflecting on Saint Blaise invites us to ask where we might become gentler healers ourselves. Perhaps we cannot cure, but we can listen. Perhaps we cannot save, but we can stand close. Like Blaise, we are called to protect the fragile places in others and in ourselves so that life, breath, and truth may flow freely again.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, Pray For Us

Saint Thomas Aquinas, the scholastic powerhouse and Dominican Saint was influential in laying the groundwork for the theological thought in the 13th century. Scholasticism was a movement aimed at bridging the gap between early classical philosophy like Aristotle to Christian thought. One of Saint Thomas’s great works is the Summa Theologica. Saint Thomas also composed Pangue Lingua, a hymn for the Eucharistic presence for the feast of Corpus Christi. The last two verses Tantum Ergo sung at benediction are profound.

Tantum Ergo

TANTUM ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et iubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.

Amen.

DOWN IN ADORATION FALLING

DOWN in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! oe’r ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor blessing,
Might and endless majesty.

Amen.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, Pray for us!

Cast Thy Nets: The Power of Love & Discipleship

A two-year project has now been completed. My Catholic Christian testimony, based on John’s Gospel, chapter 21. Check it out by visiting the following (note – proceeds minus initial investment cost being tithed back). https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cast-thy-nets-eric-stengel/1149168098?ean=9798993389509. Amazon: https://a.co/d/i50SMxA

The Baptism Of Our Lord Jesus

The Baptism of Christ – painting by Sebastiano Ricci ca 1713-1714 in the public domain displayed at the MET

The opening verse for today’s Solemnity of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus, which marks the beginning of his public ministry and brings our Christmas season to a close, draws us back to the mystery of the Epiphany or Theophany. At Epiphany, Christ is revealed to the nations as the light of the world, while in his Baptism he is revealed by the Father as the beloved Son, upon whom the Holy Spirit descends. Isaiah’s opening words, “Here is my servant with whom I am pleased” (Is. 42:1), and Matthew’s Gospel, in which the Lord proclaims, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:17), invite us to reflect on this unfolding revelation of Christ and on our own human condition, as well as God’s sacrament and sign of Baptism within the saving plan of salvation history.

For Jesus, this symbolic washing was the moment in which God revealed his human Son. Though he came into the world without sin, he took upon himself the weight of our sin and our fallen condition (2 Cor. 5:21). This grace filled sign, revealed to us in the second Person of the Trinity, helps us understand why Jesus the Christ was baptized. All who become Christian and are baptized for the removal of original sin become adopted sons and daughters of God through that same Holy Spirit, by whom the Father’s agape love is made known in the public ministry of Christ (Eph. 1:5).

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles, in Peter’s account, reminds us that this same Holy Spirit anointed our Lord Jesus with “Spirit and power, enabling him to heal all those oppressed by the devil, because God was with him” (Acts 10:36 to 38). Therefore, the sacred gift of the Baptism of Jesus calls us to reflect on our own baptism. As a family, we recall the day we were anointed and made adopted sons and daughters of our Lord. For myself, I was baptized one month after I was born. When was the date of your baptism? When were you made into a new creation, an adopted son or daughter of God our Father?

For further exegesis, visit what the early church has to say about the Baptism of our Lord: https://www.churchfathers.org/necessity-of-baptism

Pax

Ephiphany Sunday

Domingos Sequeira – The Adoration of the Magi from the public domain

Today the Church recalls Epiphany Sunday in which the 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 given to a king, but our King Jesus is Lord of Heaven as well as earth. The gift of frankincense used in worship symbolize Jesus’s divinity. The myrrh represents his sacrifice for our sin and his humanity with his anointing of the body when being laid in the tomb.

How have you had a manifestation of God working in your life through the power of the Holy Spirit? Have you been seeking those signs in prayer that allow you to do homage before King Jesus and dwell in His loving presence? Perhaps, this year, we can find ways to be open to how the Holy Spirit might remove our blinders so that we can be more open and attentive to the manifestation of Jesus being present for us. It is especially difficult during those times of trial and times of chaos with earthly distractions where it is harder to seek those signs where God is present, yet He is here and wishes to manifest Himself during those unpleasant times as well.

Today’s liturgical feast and commemoration is also a special day where you can bless your household with holy chalk to mark the threshold of the door and seek God’s blessing upon your home and family for the coming year.

Come let us adore Christ Jesus, the Lord on this day. Let our souls be open to His appearance in which He wants us to bow down and do him homage in which we cast aside those earthly distractions and offer our greatest treasure to the King – the gift of ourselves and entire will, being and whole heart!

Blessing of the Christian Home & Meaning on Epiphany Sunday:

20 + C + M + B + 26

The letters C, M, B have two definitions. They are the initials of the names of the three magi or kings from the east: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also come from the Latin, “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs symbolize the cross and the 20 and the 26 represent the year, 2026 in which blessed chalk is used to mark the threshold of the doorstep of your house just as the ancient Israelites blessed their homes with the blood of the lamb at Passover.

Below is a link for blessing your house this day and asking the great King Jesus to be a part of your household for the coming year:

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/blessing-home-and-household-epiphany

Behold The Christ Child, The Word Made Flesh! Rejoice, For Today We Recall Our Savior Is Born!

Adoration of the Shepherds by Giorgione from the public domain

Today, brothers and sisters in Christ, we have completed our Advent season of waiting in joyful anticipation—a season in which the world begins to make sense. Our confusion and search for truth find their answer in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ (cf. Jn 1). No longer do sin and death hold victory over us, for in this miraculous revelation God takes on human flesh and becomes one of us. Jesus shows us the way to the Father and to His Kingdom by revealing the greatest love of all: the total gift of Himself, culminating in His sacrifice on the cross.

We may at times lose sight of this miraculous gift, as we reflect not only on the first coming of Christ but also on His promised second coming (cf. Mt 24 25; Rev 19 22). The Holy Spirit bestows upon us grace, along with signs and wonders, to guide us on our journey if only we have the fortitude and patience to lift our eyes and seek Jesus in our lives. Just as the wise men followed the light of a star to find the King of Kings, so too is our journey of faith. Will we make room for the Word made flesh to dwell in our hearts?

As we gather today, let us reflect upon the Scripture readings that reveal how God becomes one of us as a humble baby, dependent upon His chosen parents, Joseph and Mary. That same dependence is a sign for us to place our trust in God’s great love this Christmas Day. Let us cast aside our troubles, worries, and shortcomings, laying them before the manger in exchange for the light and truth found in God’s Son, who has taken on human flesh. Truly, God became man so that we might become like God (St. Athanasius), created in His holy image (Gen 1).

May the light of Christ born this Christmas dwell in our hearts and lead us ever closer to the Father.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Ruega por Nosotros

From the public domain: Original Picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe (also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe) shown in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in México City. Wikimedia Commons

Recently, Holy Mother Church recalled the Patroness of The Immaculate Conception on December 8. On December 12 we recognize Mary’s appearance to Aztec Native American, Cuauhtlatohuac, who was later christened Juan Diego. Such a day commemorate Mary’s apparition to Juan on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City. La Virgen del Tepeyac is Queen of Mexico and Patroness of the Americas having appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531. The Archbishop of Mexico City, Juan de Zumárraga, doubted Juan’s story. Mary asked Juan to gather a multitude of flowers in the dead of winter which were Castilian roses not native to Mexico in Juan’s tilma or cloak with her image imprinted. Such a miracle in which millions of people make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in Mexico City and other areas with processions of prayer and song show the importance of this great Marian apparition. Mary’s appearance to the outcast, impoverished and lowly servants throughout history represent the Father’s love for all of His children. Nothing can separate us from His love per the reminder of the apparition of Mary to St. Juan Diego (Rom. 8:38-39).

My son, I love you. I desire you to know who I am. I am the ever-Virgin Mary; mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence. He created all things. He is in all places. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth and I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. All those who sincerely ask for my help in their work and in their sorrows will know their mother’s near in this place. Here I will see their fears and I will console men and they will be at peace.

Words of Mary to Juan Diego: “Know and understand well, you the most humble of my son, that I am the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth.”

In a world that is in desperate need of unity and love, what better way than uniting behind Our Mother Mary who leads us to her Son, Jesus the Christ and risen Lord. On December 12, my wife and I closed on the sale of our current home which is not merely a coincidental date, but one in which God’s providence through the workings of the Queen of Saints like Our Lady of Guadalupe are a continuous reminder of His presence. The book of Revelation reminds us that God will always triumph against those forces that wish to separate us from His presence with Mary’s powerful fiat of saying yes to bringing forth the light for all nations, King Jesus.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev. 12:1).

In the Dallas Diocese of Texas, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe has the status of a National shrine by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Such monumental milestones demonstrate the faith filled fervor and zeal for area Catholics. Que viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!

From the public domain at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Procesi%C3%B3n_de_Nuestra_Se%C3%B1ora_de_Guadalupe_en_Mazatl%C3%A1n,_12_de_diciembre_de_2022_42.jpg

In the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a beautiful prayer in the upper church’s chapel:

“Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of Holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my prayer offered with deepfelt confidence to beg this favor…. O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of “Guadalupe” the virgin who crushed the serpent. Queen of Martyrs, whose Immaculate heart was pierced by seven wounds of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns thrown across my pathway. Queen of Apostles aid me to win souls for the Sacred Heart of my Savior. I plead this through the merits of your merciful Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Sources:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-12/our-lady-of-guadaloupe-feast-day-mexico-americas.htm

The Words of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

A Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Immaculate Conception

Immaculate Conception of Mary by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in the public domain https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Immaculate_Conception,_by_Giovanni_Battista_Tiepolo,_from_Prado_in_Google_Earth.jpg

Today the church recalls that Mary, as the Theotokos or God bearer, was free from the stain of original sin. Many Christians may question such a dogma declared by the church in 1854 by Pope Pius IX in his Ineffabilis Deus. However, it seems only natural that God’s grace would keep Mary free from sin who is representative of our human destiny to be in full communion with a God that wanted to vanquish our sin by walking among us in human form. The Patroness of the Immaculate Conception is also the Patroness of the United States. While the United States is far from perfect, such an example reminds those citizens living within her borders that they should all strive for seeking God’s grace and to do His will just as Mary did. Mary’s fiat and acceptance of saying yes to bearing Jesus in her womb can only result in receiving sanctifying grace and being in perfect union with God from the moment of her conception.

Pope BI. Pius IX – 1854

Excerpt from The Immaculate Conception https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius09/p9ineff.htm

And indeed it was wholly fitting that so wonderful a mother should be ever resplendent with the glory of most sublime holiness and so completely free from all taint of original sin that she would triumph utterly over the ancient serpent

As St. Anselm describes about Mary in the Office of Readings in the Roman Breviary:

God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world. God is the Father by whom all things were given life, and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life. For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made, and Mary gave birth to him as the Saviour of the world. Without God’s Son, nothing could exist; without Mary’s Son, nothing could be redeemed.

Let us reflect on this gift of grace that God has bestowed upon Mary today. Mary’s triumphant victory over sin with the reception of bearing God’s Son is a reminder to all of us of our destiny.

Let us reflect on today’s Collect from the mass as we go about our day:

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that, as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

1st Week of Advent: The King Is Coming, Be Awake

The second reading from Paul’s Epistle to the Romans for the beginning of the new Church year in Advent reminds us to stay awake. We are urged not to give in to the desires of the flesh but to remain ready, awake, and alert. At baptism, we put on the white garment that symbolizes our identity as adopted sons and daughters of God. We are called to put on the purity of Christ, emptying ourselves of what is sinful so that we may be filled with His grace.

Matthew’s Gospel echoes this same call to wakefulness, warning that at the final judgment some will be taken unexpectedly while awaiting the return of the Son of Man. Recalling the cleansing of the world in the time of the flood and Noah, and how this moment fits into the unfolding of salvation history leading to our Lord Christ Jesus, we are invited to reflect on the profound reality that everything prepares the way for His first coming. We must also be ready for His second coming, guided by this imagery of wakefulness.

The Jesse Tree is a wonderful Advent practice that helps us reflect on salvation history. Another meaningful practice is the lighting of the Advent wreath. The circle represents eternity, and the evergreen branches symbolize growth and life. The first candle represents hope, the second represents peace, the third pink candle represents joy, and the fourth represents love. Each candle reflects the light of Christ, the same guiding light symbolized by the star that shone in the night.

We are called to resist the lure and commercialization of the season and to begin with the true meaning of Advent, which means “to come.” When we prepare our hearts and minds in this way, we can joyfully echo the responsorial psalm on Christmas Day: “Let our hearts go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”

Let us intentionally pause, slow down, and choose an Advent practice that prepares the way for the Christ Child to come. When we release our distractions and stop viewing the calendar as merely a countdown to Christmas, Advent becomes a season of emptying ourselves so that there is room in the inn of our hearts for the light of Christ to dwell. Only then will we be truly ready for His coming.

From the Collect or Entrance Prayer at Mass:

Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,

the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ

with righteous deeds at his coming,

so that, gathered at his right hand,

they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

An Attitude of Gratitude In The Christian Life

Image courtesy of Praise. I will praise Him is a painting by Graham Braddock which was uploaded on September 5th, 2016. Retrieved from https://fineartamerica.com/featured/praise-i-will-praise-him-graham-braddock.html

It’s that time of year again where many in the United States will prepare to gather around table with family & loved ones commemorating different traditions of displaying a day of thanksgiving. Such a day recalls the thankfulness from those early pilgrim people settlers for being blessed with the hospitality of the Wampanoag tribe for they knew all too well what it was like to be grateful for the bountiful rewards from mother earth. Such a tradition of giving thanks was done in many households with an agrarian society for those seasons of life where peoples were grateful for a bountiful harvest. It wasn’t until 1863 in which President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving and the day becoming a federal holiday under President Franklin Roosevelt.

Such a tradition of giving thanks and having an attitude of gratitude reminds us of our own calling as Christian disciples in which being grateful permeates our call to discipleship. President Lincoln, in issuing the proclamation in the midst of a civil war stated “To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God” (https://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm). Lincoln put his trust in God’s providence and acknowledged that even the most hardest of hearts could be grateful. As Catholics, the Greek word for Eucharist is thanksgiving. Spanish colonists and explorers celebrated their arrival to the New World in America in 1565 by celebrating the Mass (https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/america-s-first-thanksgiving-was-in-florida-seriously-it-was)

It’s so easy to be negative & curse our condition and the way our life turned out. We may complain that we weren’t gifted with certain possessions or a lifestyle we think we should have had compared to others. Perhaps, we are dealing with infirmities, financial distress, family issues or something we wish wouldn’t have occurred for us. Nevertheless, such a mindset does no good. We should take solace in knowing we were knitted in our mother’s womb and made in His image (Ps 139) as unique beings. We are ensouled beings on a mission to go out and be grateful while spreading the good news of Jesus to prepare others for His kingdom. Being grateful for that great prize awaiting us with the choirs of angels & saints with such a loving and wonderful paradise awaiting us should make any heart grateful.

Before Jesus asked for His Father’s help in the raising of his friend Lazarus, he reached out to Father God and proclaimed “Father, I thank you for hearing me” (Jn. 11:41) How often do we give thanks to God each morning we are blessed with another day? Is our daily prayer simply one of petitioning God to remove those crosses without being grateful for the graces He has bestowed on us? We can be like the Samaritan who trusted in God’s will and was healed. Being grateful for both the trials, hardships and blessings in life is a transformative mindset and spiritual journey we all must undertake. To be grateful for the life we received, baggage and all and give it all to an ever-loving, ever-merciful God is the challenge.

The Hymn of Thanksgiving for God’s Everlasting Love from Psalm 136 should remind us of the necessity for us living the Christian lifestyle to be grateful:

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

To give God thanks is akin to recalling our most favorite Christmas present or birthday present received. God’s grace is a gift that we should all be thankful for because it is a gift multiplied to a magnitude that is beyond reason for God’s love, God’s mercy and God’s grace for His creation endures forever.

We give thanks each and every time within the holy liturgy in which the Spirit turns the bread and wine into the body and blood of our Lord Jesus. We give thanks for those gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit in the sacramental life.

Being able to be thankful for not only the thorns in life, but the beautiful flowers that God gives us epitomizes the Christian life. Turn to the Lord God this day and give thanks. Being grateful not only changes our mindset, but gives us a spiritual demeanor that transforms others around us despite any crosses that might come our way.


First Thanksgiving – St. Augustine, Florida 
September 8,1565 – Nativity of Our Lady
by The Apostolate of Our Lady of Good Success

Today, let our attitude be one of gratitude for God’s love endures forever.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Who is the ruler and king of your life? Is it God, through the second person of the Trinity, King Jesus? Or is something in this earthly life separating you from your true identity as an adopted son or daughter of God (Romans 8:15, Galatians 3:26)?

Remember, when Jesus was asked by the teachers of the law what the greatest commandment was, He responded with a simple yet profound truth: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). This commandment beautifully sums up the totality of God’s law written upon our hearts, and it should remind us of the wisdom and mercy of our King.

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded that our ultimate goal is to be with our King in paradise. Like the penitent sinner who turns to Jesus for mercy, we too must recognize our dependence on our heavenly King as we hang upon the crosses of our own struggles and weaknesses. As we look to Jesus, the source of our salvation, we ask for His mercy and grace, trusting that He is the ruler who leads us to eternal life.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus presents the corporal works of mercy, showing us how we are called to attend to the bodily needs of our brothers and sisters. By caring for others—feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, comforting the sick, and welcoming the stranger—we embody His love and mercy. We cannot enter the Kingdom of God, both here and in the life to come, if we ignore those in need around us.

Jesus, our King, rules over heaven, earth, and the entire universe. If we are to follow Him into the Kingdom and avoid eternal separation from God, we must actively care for others, providing for their basic needs and showing compassion. These acts of mercy may not always be easy, but they are essential.

For instance, as we prepare for the season of Advent, we might consider going through our closets and donating our gently used clothes to charity—not just the things we no longer want, but items that could truly benefit others. We could also donate to a local food pantry or help with a food drive in our community. While we may not personally know anyone in prison, there may be local jail ministries or outreach programs we can support.

Perhaps the hardest work is welcoming the stranger—the outcast, the one on the margins. Jesus calls us to open our hearts and our homes, making room for others in the “inn” of our hearts. If we are to enter His Kingdom, we must practice this kind of radical hospitality and love.

Jesus was born into this world, God incarnate, to walk among us and offer Himself as a living sacrifice for our sins. The question we must ask ourselves is: If Jesus came to earth today, would we recognize Him? Or would we dismiss Him as just another radical or outcast? The challenge is to see His presence in those around us and respond with love and mercy, as He has shown us.

Today the Catholic Church celebrates Jesus Christ as the Lord and King of the Universe—over both heaven and earth. This feast was first established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to be observed in late October, as a reminder to the world of Christ’s sovereignty amid rising secularism. Later, Pope St. Paul VI moved the celebration to the final Sunday of the liturgical year, immediately before the start of Advent. This placement is fitting, as it highlights the salvific gift our King offers through the incarnation of His Son and prepares our hearts to welcome Christ anew in the Advent season.

It is easy to become absorbed in the limited vision of life on earth and forget our true calling as disciples of Jesus. Life is often messy, filled with strife, anxiety, sin, and the imperfections of a broken world. As we prepare for the upcoming liturgical season of Advent—a penitential time of waiting and hope—we are invited to ready our hearts for the light and majesty that come with the birth of our King, Christ the Lord. This preparation helps us grasp the deeper meaning of today’s solemnity.

Reflecting on the first coming of Jesus as a humble baby born in a manger offers a striking contrast to our typical image of earthly kings. Jesus was not born in a palace or into wealth, but into the humble home of a carpenter from Nazareth and a young woman named Mary. Mary, full of grace and chosen to be the new Ark of the Covenant, was preserved from the stain of sin and honored as the Theotokos—the God-bearer. Her “yes” made room for the King of the Universe to enter the world in simplicity and humility.

This same King faced resistance from the very beginning. Earthly King Herod sought to destroy the infant Jesus in a desperate attempt to preserve his own fragile power—power rooted in fear rather than in the promise of eternal life offered to all in the Kingdom of Heaven. And unlike earthly rulers crowned with gold, our King would one day wear a crown of thorns pressed upon His head. His royal rings were the nails driven into His hands and feet. The ultimate price paid by our King was His own precious blood, poured out for the salvation of all creation. His love is infinite—far beyond any earthly measure or limitation.

Jesus will come again—and the question we must ask ourselves is this: Will we be ready? We are called to prepare our hearts, staying spiritually awake and attentive, so that we may welcome our King when He comes in glory.

On this day, let us humbly and prayerfully reflect on how we can invite Jesus more fully into our lives, allowing Him to be the ruler of our hearts and the very center of our souls. Such reflection may lead us to concrete action—letting go of earthly attachments, possessions, or desires that hinder us from caring for the needs of others in our homes and communities. May we be transformed by the benevolent and loving reign of our King, who desires to bring peace and joy to His chosen people.

As the composer Father Martin B. Hellriegel expressed in his hymn To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King, written on the eve of rising darkness in pre–World War II Germany, we are reminded of Christ’s unshakable sovereignty and our call to faithful allegiance to Him alone.

Christ Jesus Victor!

Christ Jesus Ruler!

Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer!

When the King Draws Near: Pondering the Closing of the Liturgical Year (33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Four Horsemen of Apocalypse (1887) Glinka National Museum Consortium of Music Culture, Moscow by Viktor Vasnetsov from the public domain

The Church stands again at the threshold of endings and beginnings. A quiet hush settles over the liturgical year, as if creation itself pauses, listening for the footfall of the coming King. The readings echo like distant thunder, not to frighten us, but to remind us that all of history bends toward a radiant dawn.

The Lord is near.
The King is coming.
Lift your eyes.

Malachi speaks of heat and light, of a day blazing like an oven, yet also of a sun of justice rising with healing in its rays. The fire of God does not come to consume the faithful but to cleanse, to illuminate, and to make whole. Each of us carries corners where shadows linger, yet Christ comes not with condemnation but with sunrise. As the year fades, we are invited to let the old be burned away so that new life in Him can break forth like morning after a long night.

The psalmist imagines rivers clapping their hands, mountains lifting their voices, and seas roaring with joy. Creation longs for the God who judges with justice and heals what sin has wounded. The world aches, but its ache is a longing for the King.

Saint Paul draws this cosmic vision down into the soil of ordinary days. He tells us to work quietly, live faithfully, avoid idleness, and remain humble and ready. Holiness grows in the steady rhythm of daily obedience.

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of temples falling and kingdoms shaking. Earthquakes, famines, and plagues remind us that earthly things are fragile. Yet into this swirl of uncertainty He whispers peace. “Do not be terrified. I will give you wisdom. Not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” The unraveling of the world is not the unraveling of His love. His throne stands firm.

As we draw near to the Solemnity of Christ the King, we hear the Alleluia verse like a trumpet call:

“Stand erect and raise your heads, because your redemption is at hand.”

This week, we prepare our hearts for the One who reigns with mercy and truth. Do not be distressed by the chaos of the world. Christ the King comes to lead us into wisdom, peace, and purity, into a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.

The Stillness That Speaks

Wanderer in the Storm, Julius von Leypold, 1835

Our world and modern society are always on the go. Stillness is often mistaken for complacency, and silence can feel uncomfortable in an age of constant motion. My own tendency toward restlessness has, through the years, been tempered by grace. God continues to teach me to stop and smell the roses, to recognize that His presence is not found in frantic activity but in peaceful surrender

We live in a culture of instant gratification and seamless delivery, always connected and always consuming. Yet Holy Scripture reminds us of something different. When the prophet Elijah sought the Lord, he did not find Him in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:11–12). Likewise, Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16), retreating to the wilderness to commune with His Father and to rest from the crowds.

If the Son of God needed silence and solitude, how much more do we?

We must learn to look to the stillness and quiet of our hearts. It is there, in the sacred silence, that the Holy Spirit speaks. Modern distractions such as smartphones, social media, and endless notifications tempt us to fill every moment with noise. We scroll, post, and capture memories through a dozen photos, yet rarely dwell in the moment itself. This noise is not the voice of God. More often, it is the roaring lion of distraction (1 Peter 5:8), seeking to pull us away from the gentle whisper that brings peace.

As we recently celebrated the Solemnities of All Saints and All Souls, we are reminded of those who have gone before us. Men and women who, through prayer and humility, learned the value of silence. Saints like Teresa of Avila, who said, “The Lord walks among the pots and pans,” and Thérèse of Lisieux, who found holiness in the hidden simplicity of daily life, teach us that sanctity grows in quiet trust.

How can we silence the anxiety of our busy world and allow Jesus to enter deeply into our hearts? Perhaps by reclaiming small moments of silence before meals, at the end of the day, or during a morning commute to whisper like Samuel, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

When we make room for stillness, we make room for Christ. And when Christ dwells within us, our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities can glimpse His light shining through us.

Moments Of Reflection:

When was the last time I paused long enough to listen for the gentle whisper of the Lord?

What moments in my day could I offer back to God in silence rather than distraction?

How can I help create a peaceful space in my home, workplace, or parish that allows others to encounter Christ’s presence?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You withdrew from the crowds to speak with Your Father in silence and peace. Teach me to find that same stillness in my own heart. Quiet the noise of the world around me, calm my anxieties, and help me to listen for Your voice. May Your Spirit guide my thoughts, my words, and my actions so that others may see Your love shining through me. Amen.

All Saints & All Souls

All Saints

Dear holy saints of God,
we join our prayers of praise to yours this day.
With you, we sing of God’s goodness,
rejoice in God’s mercy,
and celebrate God’s incredible love.
Teach us to live as you lived –
always thinking of others,
always recognizing your weaknesses,
always rejoicing in God’s gifts,
always following Jesus.

Blessed are you, happy are you,
all holy saints of God.
Pray for us that we, too,
may someday be among God’s holy ones.

All Souls

The Prayer of St. Gertrude

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family.
Amen.

St. Pio of Pietrelcina O.F.M. Cap., Pray for Us

Image retrieved from https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20020616_padre-pio_photo.html

About Padre Pio: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/padre-pio-his-biography-13815

Letter from Padre Pio To Raffaelina Cerase, May 19, 1914

Stones of the eternal dwelling

The divine craftsman gets ready to prepare stones to build an eternal temple; he cuts these stones by repeated blows of his hammer and carefully polishes them by removing any excess. 

This is what the holy Catholic church, our tender Mother sings, as the hymn of the Office of the Dedication of a Church. And it can be seen to be true in this way. Each heart intended for eternal glory can be very well considered as one of these stones created for the eternal temple. When a contractor wants to build a house, he must first cut the stones, which will be used for construction; this he does with blows of hammer and chisel. Thus our heavenly Father acts on the heart which he chooses and desires from all eternity, in his great wisdom and Providence, to build as an eternal dwelling place.

To reign with Christ in eternal glory, the heart must thus be cut with large blows of hammer and chisel; in this way, as with stones, the divine architect prepares the hearts that it chooses. What are these blows of hammer and chisel? They are the shadows, my sister: the fears, temptations, afflictions, spiritual anxieties, and also the physical maladies.

Therefore, give thanks for the infinite tenderness of our Heavenly Father, who deals thus with your heart to save it. Why will mature people not praise these kind gestures that every father does? Open your heart to this celestial doctor of hearts and surrender yourself in all confidence to his very sacred hands for he treats you as someone whom he has chosen to follow Jesus closely, until the summit of martyrdom. As for me, I believe, that his grace will make itself manifest in you through the joy and wise movement of your heart. Thus, do not doubt that all that happens to your soul has been willed by the Lord. Thus, do not fear that God makes you fall into some evil or ruin! It should be enough for you to know that in all your life, you never offended the Lord whom you should approach more and more.

If this most benevolent Spouse hides himself in your heart, he does so, not as a punishment for your sin as you believe, but to further test your fidelity and your constancy; and moreover, to cure some weakness that your eyes of feeble, failing flesh, do not see, of which no one is simply free. As we know from the Holy Scripture: the righteous man falls seven times a day. (Pr 24,16).

And believe me, if I did not learn that you are also afflicted, I would be less happy, since I would think that the Lord decides to give you less pearls… Drive out like temptations doubts to the contrary… Drive out also the doubts that refer to your manner of living, namely, that you did not heed the divine calls and that you opposed the gentle invitations of your Husband. All that does not come from the good spirit, but from the bad. They are diabolic tricks that aim to bring you away from perfection, or at least to delay you along his way. Do not lose courage!

When Jesus shows himself to you, thank him; should he hide from you, thank him still. To love, everything is a joy. I wish that you deliver your spirit with Jesus on the cross and that you be able to say with him: All is accomplished! (Jn 19,30)

(retrieved from the Divine Office of Readings)

St John Chrysostom – Whom Shall I Fear?


A Byzantine mosaic of John Chrysostom from the Hagia Sophia

From the office of daily readings for September 13, Memorial of St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor. An excerpt of a homily by St John Chrysostom:

The waters have risen and severe storms are upon us, but we do not fear of drowning, for we stand firmly upon a rock. Let the sea rage, it cannot break the rock. Let the waves rise, they cannot sink the boat of Jesus.What are we to fear? Death? Life to me means Christ, and death is gain. Exile? ‘The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord. The confiscation of goods? We brought nothing into this world, and we shall surely take nothing from it. I have only contempt for the world’s threats, I find its blessings laughable.I have no fear of poverty, no desire for wealth. I am not afraid of death nor do I long to live, except for your good. I concentrate therefore on the present situation, and I urge you, my friends, to have confidence.Do you not hear the Lord saying: Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst? Will he be absent, then, when so many people united in love are gathered together? I have his promise; I am surely not going to rely on my own strength!I have what he has written; that is my staff, my security, my peaceful harbor. Let the world be in upheaval. I hold to his promise and read his message; that is my protecting wall and garrison. What message? Know that I am with you always, until the end of the world!

If Christ is with me, whom shall I fear?

Though the waves and the sea and the anger of princes are roused against me, they are less to me than a spider’s web. Indeed, unless you, my brothers, had detained me, I would have left this very day. For I always say “Lord, your will be done”; not what this fellow or that would have me do, but what you want me to do. That is my strong tower, my immovable rock, my staff that never gives way. If God wants something, let it be done! If he wants me to stay here, I am grateful. But wherever he wants me to be, I am no less grateful.Yet where I am, there you are too, and where you are, I am. For we are a single body, and the body cannot be separated from the head nor the head from the body.Distance separates us, but love unites us, and death itself cannot divide us.For though my body die, my soul will live and be mindful of my people.You are my fellow citizens, my fathers, my brothers, my sons, my limbs, my body. You are my light, sweeter to me than the visible light. For what can the rays of the sun bestow on me that is comparable to your love? The sun’s light is useful in my earthly life, but your love is fashioning a crown for me in the life to come.

More about the biography of St. John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor:

Saint John Chrysostom

23rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Reflection – Take Up Your Cross To Be A Disciple

Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross (image from the public domain at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DSC00659_-Simon_of_Cyrene_helps_Jesus_carry_the_cross(48167962917).jpg)

“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple (Lk. 14:27).

I saw a quote awhile back – “anyone can wear one, but who can bear one” as it relates to the cross. We wear crosses as jewelry and as a symbol of our faith, but how often do we bear them as a condition of Christian discipleship?

The Gospel of Luke challenges us once again as we approach the Solemnity and Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14. It reminds us that discipleship involves sacrifice and the act of surrendering everything to Jesus. Luke’s words, particularly when he tells us to “hate our own brother, sister, mother, father, wife, and children…” can be difficult to hear. But at its core, this passage calls us to reflect on where we place our ultimate dependence—on earthly relationships or on the will of God.

As the first reading from Wisdom 9:15 reminds us, “the corruptible body burdens the soul, and the earthly tent weighs down the mind with its many concerns.” It’s easy for the demands of this earthly life and our obligations to family, friends, neighbors, work, society to weigh us down. In doing so, we can lose sight of the greater journey—the call to follow Jesus’s invitation to take up our cross. Sometimes, this means carrying not only our own burdens, but also the struggles of those we love, all in pursuit of something greater as a core part of discipleship.

As the responsorial psalm reminds us, In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.”

To truly be disciples, we must carve out moments each day to give God His due. God, and not anyone or anything in this life, is our true refuge. How deeply do you trust in this? We must not let anxiety or worry weigh us down, for we are meant for greater things—a future with a loving and merciful Father in heaven!

This week, ask yourself the following:

1. How can I more fully trust in God as my refuge, especially when life’s burdens and worries threaten to overwhelm me?

2. What steps can I take each day to set aside time to honor God and align my heart with His purpose?

3. How can I bear my daily cross in order to surrender everything to Jesus to make Him the Lord and ruler of my life?

Try praying the morning offering to acknowledge the sacrifice of discipleship:

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.

Faith & Trust in God’s Will

HOLE, WILLIAM: The Life of Jesus of Nazareth retrieved from the public domain at Wikimedia Commons

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, faith is defined as the following: 1814 Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself. By faith “man freely commits his entire self to God.

Every time our family prays the rosary and asks for the grace to receive an increase in not only hope & charity; we also ask for an increase in faith. By God’s design as with Job in the Old Testament, is faith in God’s will present during those turbulent times.

Consider the human virtue of trust which we learn over time. As babies, we trust our parents to provide food, shelter & security. When we marry or are in a relationship, we pledge our promise of trust to the other person. However, one thing that is lacking in our present day society is trusting in God’s will & plan.

We value our human dependence & have the tendency to sweep God’s will & time for God in our prayer life under the proverbial rug. Only when we need something do we ask for God’s divine guidance only to realize that trust & faith are a two way street. Asking for God’s assistance to get through the difficult times is a momentous task when we don’t have a relationship with God to begin with.

Perhaps we place idols of entertainment, food, money or items that provide a false sense of comfort & trust before trusting & having faith in that we don’t see.

As Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians reminds us, “hold onto the shield of faith with which one can extinguish all the arrows of the evil one” (Eph 6:16).

As doubting Thomas reminds us when casting his hands upon the wounds of the risen Jesus, “my Lord & my God!” (Jn. 20:28).

Reach out & take God’s hand found in Jesus our brother, friend, teacher & Savior. Let us ask for an increase in the virtue of faith & place our trust in God.

Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

Jesus, by Pompeo Batoni, Rome, Church of the Gesù. Own work by Lloydbaltazar retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SacredHeartBatoni.jpg

Jn. 14:1-12 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”

It is easy to think that God is absent in our life when tragedy occurs in our midst. Many claim that simply praying for someone or a family that is grieving is a passive affair. However, in John’s gospel of the farewell speech to his disciples, Jesus reminds us of his continued presence.

How can we do the works that Jesus did in a troubled world? When we have a solid relationship with Jesus who was sent by the Father to be the “way, the truth and the life” can we allow the Holy Spirit to enter our hearts to bring about change and action. Prayer leads us to action because it is an act of transformation rather than a passive affair.

Having the faith to get back up when we fall down or something tragic occurs is what is expected of us in the Christian life. The promise that we too will have a dwelling place prepared for us according to Jesus is something to recall on our earthly journey to prepare the way for His return. This dwelling place is not some far off distant heavenly paradise, but is our soul yearning for the Holy Spirit to make a home for us. We are a pilgrim people always on a journey seeking Christ Jesus in our midst to go out and be a disciple to those that need His love. Our duty to become saints by asking God to give us the grace to be a person that has lived a life of heroic virtue is our call.

What does an active prayer life look like? St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said it best: “My vocation is to belong to Jesus, to cleave to Jesus. The work is the fruit of my love and my love is expressed in my work. . . . Prayer in action is love in action.” (https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/mother-teresa-love-in-action/#:~:text=Prayer%20in%20action%20is%20love,in%20every%20person%20they%20encountered.).

Retrieved from https://missionariesofcharity.org/our-objective.html

Prayer in action is love in action. A powerful statement that allowed the Holy Spirit to move Mother Teresa to do great acts of service. We too are called to be “missionaries of charity” heeding the call to go out and be a compassionate and gentle hand as a reminder to those that need us to be instruments of God’s love in the world.

St Teresa of Avila reminds us of our Christian mission with the following:

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours

Let our hearts not be troubled this day. Go out, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to be a light to others and remind them that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Retrieved from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Onbevlekthart.jpg

Growing up as a child, I recall having a special fondness for Mary. Mary is known by many titles such as: the Queen of Saints, the Blessed Mother, the Theotokos (God-bearer), Queen of Heaven, Virgin most renowned, Mystical Rose, the New Eve, etc. Such titles can be found in the Litany to Mary (https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-of-loreto-246).

I recall both my grandmothers and mother having a devotion to Mary from memories of praying the rosary in reflecting on the scriptural accounts of our Lord’s life. In having lost a beloved maternal grandmother, Thecia (Mema) at an early age I turned to Mary for consolation. After all, what better way to seek the love of God in the Father & Son than through His mother who is full of grace (Lk. 1:28). My paternal grandmother, Evelyn (Grandma), prayed the rosary daily and fondly recall her cassette tapes with the rosary songs and meditations playing when I visited her house. My mother’s (Linda) pendant necklace she received from her mom after her passing is an image of Mary I fondly recall as she would wear it for special occasions at mass. Such moments where I saw the heart of the matriarchs of my family and their love for Mary deepened my faith life. It is Mary’s Immaculate Heart working through us that led this adopted son closer to wanting to seek God’s great love.

When my wife Angela & I pray the rosary together with our precious daughter, Abigail, it is a bond like no other. While our daughter is young and sometimes can’t meditate on the mysteries like adults, it is good practice for her learning the prayers as she knows something special is taking place. The family that prays together stays together.

The memorial of Mary’s Immaculate Heart after the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one in which we unite behind our blessed Mother in seeing her sorrow for our Lord Jesus’s great love in that her heart was also pierced by a sword per Simeon’s prophecy at the presentation of Jesus in the temple. “Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Lk. 2:34-35). The white roses surrounding her heart symbolize her Immaculate Conception in which she knew no sin as affirmed by church dogma in 1854 with Pope Pius IX’s Infallibus Deus (https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius09/p9ineff.htm). Mary is the New Eve to which our hearts may unite to hers in doing God’s will. The fire surrounding her heart represent her deep love for humanity and of God in His Son, Jesus. Lastly, the glorious and illuminated rays of light symbolize a woman clothed by the sun as written in Revelation “A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev. 12:1).

Let us consecrate ourselves to Mary’s Immaculate Heart, forever united in the redemptive and loving heart of our Lord Jesus.

Here is a helpful prayer for today’s memorial:

Act of Consecration to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Lord Jesus, Who on Calvary and in the Holy Eucharist hast shown Thyself to us as the God of love and mercy, kneeling humbly at Thy feet, we adore Thee and beg once more for Thy forgiveness and for Thy divine pity.

And, remembering that by Thine own act on Calvary, the human race, represented by Thy beloved disciple John, gained a Mother in the Virgin of Sorrows, we desire to honour the sufferings and woes of our Mother’s Heart by devoting ourselves to it in solemn consecration.

It is but just, O Mary, that our souls should strive henceforth to venerate thee with special homage under the title of thy Sorrowful Heart, a title won by sharing in the whole Passion of thy divine Son and thus co-operating in the work of our redemption, a title due to thee in justice, and dear, we believe, to Jesus and to thine own Heart wounded by the wound in His.

We consecrate, therefore, O Mary, to thy Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, ourselves, our families, and our country. Have pity upon us. See our tribulations and the anguish of our hearts in the midst of the mourning and calamities that lay waste the world. Deign, O Mother of God, to obtain mercy for us that, being converted and purified by sorrow and made strong in faith, we may henceforth be devoted servants of Jesus Christ and of His Church, for whose triumph we pray. O Mary Immaculate, we promise to be faithful clients of thy Sorrowful Heart. Intercede for us, we beseech thee, with thy Son that, at the very cry of thy Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, His divine Power may speedily bring to pass the triumph of right and justice. Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have pity upon us.
Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and save us. (Prayer retrieved from https://traditionalcatholicprayers.com/2019/10/06/prayers-of-consecration-to-the-immaculate-heart-of-mary/).

Solemnity of Corpus Christi

Allegory of the Eucharist ca Ca. 1676-1725 retrieved from public domain at Wikimedia Commons

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever. (Jn. 6:51).

Today’s Solemnity of the Body of Christ reminds us that we are never alone. Through the Eucharist, Jesus offers Himself as nourishment for our earthly journey, inviting us to receive Him with faith and reverence. In the Gospel of Luke, when five loaves and two fish fed five thousand souls, we are reminded that Jesus provides for all our needs—just as He has always done. The beloved Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, “the greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white host.”

Today’s feast reminds us of the Supper of the Lamb, offering a glimpse of our heavenly home with every return of Jesus to earth. In these sacred moments, He makes His dwelling among us in the sacramental forms of bread and wine (cf. Jn. 1:14). Through the mystery and power of the Holy Spirit, bread and wine are transformed into the most precious Body and Blood of Christ, at each divine encounter where heaven meets earth.

Take a moment today to approach the Lord in prayer and gratitude, remembering that He has given us the living Bread from heaven. Spend some time reflecting on John 6, and really let yourself take in the gift of this Bread that sustains us. It’s not just food for the body, but for the soul—life-giving nourishment that transforms us into the hands and feet of Jesus. As we grow in Him, we’re shaped to carry His love into the world, preparing the way for our heavenly home, while we walk this earthly journey. Behold the Body and Blood of Christ, the living bread come down from heaven. Let us reflect on this mystery, echoing the words of Saint Thomas Aquinas “Sing, my tongue, the Savior’s glory.”

Feast of Pentecost

Veni Sancte Spiritus!

As the Gospel of John reminds us today, at the beginning of the Church’s foundation, Jesus assures us that we are not alone. We are sustained by grace and consoled by the Advocate, the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is present in our participation in the sacraments, instilling in us the courage to go out into the world and live as faithful disciples

Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts on this Solemnity of Pentecost.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT by St Augustine:

‘Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
Amen.’

Ascension Of Our Lord

The Ascension of Christ by Ventura Salimbeni

From a Sermon by Saint Leo the Great, Pope

And so our Redeemer’s visible presence has passed into the sacraments. Our faith is nobler and stronger because sight has been replaced by a doctrine whose authority is accepted by believing hearts, enlightened from on high. This faith was increased by the Lord’s ascension and strengthened by the gift of the Spirit; it would remain unshaken by fetters and imprisonment, exile and hunger, fire and ravening beasts, and the most refined tortures ever devised by brutal persecutors. Throughout the world women no less than men, tender girls as well as boys, have given their life’s blood in the struggle for this faith. It is a faith that has driven out devils, healed the sick and raised the dead.

Even the blessed apostles, though they had been strengthened by so many miracles and instructed by so much teaching, took fright at the cruel suffering of the Lord’s passion and could not accept his resurrection without hesitation. Yet they made such progress through his ascension that they now found joy in what had terrified them before. They were able to fix their minds on Christ’s divinity as he sat at the right hand of his Father, since what was presented to their bodily eyes no longer hindered them from turning all their attention to the realisation that he had not left his Father when he came down to earth, nor had he abandoned his disciples when he ascended into heaven.

The truth is that the Son of Man was revealed as Son of God in a more perfect and transcendent way once he had entered into his Father’s glory; he now began to be indescribably more present in his divinity to those from whom he was further removed in his humanity. A more mature faith enabled their minds to stretch upward to the Son in his equality with the Father; it no longer needed contact with Christ’s tangible body, in which as man he is inferior to the Father. For while his glorified body retained the same nature, the faith of those who believed in him was now summoned to heights where, as the Father’s equal, the only-begotten Son is reached not by physical handling but by spiritual discernment.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Mercy is one of those words that carries a deep sense of reverence. According to Merriam-Webster, its definition reflects a sacred complexity. The third definition, in particular, stands out: “compassionate treatment of those in distress.” How often do we truly embody this? Let us take time this week to reflect on the definition and the sacred nature of Mercy as Christians.

A while back, a homilist reflected on four essential truths of our existence as God’s creations, framed within the context of our Christian faith:

  1. We will die.
  2. There will be judgment.
  3. We may go to heaven.
  4. We may go to hell.

The homilist then emphasized that the choices we make—whether to follow God and carry our crosses with Him—form the foundation of the Christian life. The Catholic Church teaches that the graces we receive from God, along with the faith we hold, should naturally lead us to good works. As St. James writes in his epistle (James 2:14-26), “faith without works is dead,” underscoring the idea that Christianity is not a passive pursuit.

Philippians 4:13 further underscores this divine plan by reminding us that it is God who strengthens us in our endeavors. And as Paul beautifully puts it in Romans 8:14-17, we are all spiritually adopted as sons and daughters of God.

In light of this, I propose a fifth truth for reflection: as spiritually adopted children of God, we must also consider the essential quality of mercy. Mercy is not only a gift we receive but a virtue we are called to practice, following the example set by our Heavenly Father.

In the 1930s, a humble Polish nun, Sister Faustina Kowalska, who belonged to the Congregation of Divine Mercy, reported experiencing various visions and encounters with God’s mercy, as recorded in her Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. In the year 2000, Pope Saint John Paul II canonized Sister Faustina as a saint and established the second Sunday of Easter as the feast of Divine Mercy.

The Gospel reading from John 20:19-31 recounts the story of Thomas, also called Didymus, who doubted the resurrection of Jesus. The apostles, along with Thomas, are discussing the Lord’s appearance after His resurrection. Thomas, unwilling to believe without tangible evidence, insists that he must not only see the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and the wound in His side but must touch them to believe. When Jesus appears to him, He invites Thomas to do just that. In that profound moment, Thomas exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” This powerful encounter demonstrates the boundless mercy of Jesus. His willingness to appear to Thomas and invite him to touch His wounds exemplifies a deeper message: as Christians, we are called to reach out to those who lack faith, hope, or belief.

Today, Divine Mercy calls us to reflect on five key truths: death, judgment, heaven, hell, and mercy. Carrying our crosses and avoiding sin would mean little without the transforming power of mercy. It’s not enough to attend church more frequently, pray more diligently, or seek to act more influentially than others if we lack the essential quality of mercy. The divine healer, our Lord Jesus, who cared for the outcasts, healed the sick, and bore the weight of sin for all humanity, shows us the true meaning of mercy. He offers this mercy even to doubting Thomas, illustrating that mercy is for all, especially those who struggle to believe.

Of course, even for those who may not adhere to the tradition of the Divine Mercy devotion—a reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus remains a fitting and meaningful alternative.

The Acts of the Apostles offers a powerful account of what life was like for the early Christian community. The early Christians claimed no personal possessions and shared everything in common. One might be tempted to view this as a form of communism. However, such an assumption would be mistaken. Under communism, societal class warfare often arises, creating sharp divisions between the ruling oligarchy and the general citizenry. This system is not merciful.

In contrast, the writer of Acts describes a community where “no one was in need.” Those who owned houses or land sold them and brought the proceeds to the apostles, who distributed the funds according to the needs of the community. This was not about creating a classless society through force or coercion, but about mercy and charity—voluntarily shared among believers out of love.

We also learn from the story of Thomas that God will come to us, offering comfort and removing our spiritual blindfolds. It is not about seeing life through our own limited perspective, but about seeing our existence through God’s eyes—through His lens of mercy. Mercy, at its core, is the experience of God’s great agape love.

Our choice of heaven and its promises is within our reach, but we must first allow God’s mercy to enter our hearts. It is a radical choice to let the blood of Christ’s wounds wash over us, not only cleansing us but also moving us to share that same mercy with others. This is the transformative power of grace.

Saint Maria Faustina, God’s “Apostle of Divine Mercy,” who lived during a time just before the rise of fascism, communism, and the onset of World War II, serves as a powerful example of how God blesses us with gentle reminders to make the most of the graces we receive. Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel—reminding us not to hide our light under a bushel basket but to let it shine for all to see (Matthew 5:15)—are a fitting reflection of this call to mercy.

Today, let us reflect and pray for God’s mercy to enter us and transform us as we minister to our fellow man/woman on this Divine Mercy Sunday. Jesus I trust in you to come fill my heart and soul this day with your mercy. Transform me and lead me to bring that mercy to others. For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen.

Prayers for The Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis & Holy Mother Church

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Quotes attributed to our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263537/pope-francis-in-his-own-words-12-key-quotes-that-defined-his-12-year-pontificate

Godspeed good and faithful servant. May the Holy Spirit empower the conclave to choose the next Pope and vicar of Christ!

Jesus Christ is Risen Today – Alleluia!

The Resurrection by Luca Giordano

Today, we celebrate the fullness of the Paschal Mystery, remembering that Jesus, Our Lord and Savior, is the conqueror of death. Sin and its consequences, which arise from our turning away from God’s love and mercy, hold no power over us. Jesus desires to roll away the stone of our own tombs, if only we seek the risen Christ.

We also reflect on the mystery of the Paschal Candle — the same candle lit during our baptism, marking our rebirth as new creations in Christ Jesus. Our original sin was washed away, and we are called to live as children of the light. Today, we remember that we are an Easter people!

Jesus Christ is Risen Today – Rejoice and be Glad!

Annunciation

“Behold, the Lord’s handmaiden; may it be done to me according to your word.”

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Saint Joseph, Pray for Us

Image retrieved from St Joseph Parish, Richardson

What can Saint Joseph teach us as we commemorate this worthy and humble saint? Today, the Church honors Joseph, the husband of Mary. First and foremost, Saint Joseph serves as a role model for husbands everywhere. He took Mary as his wife without hesitation, trusting the message delivered to him in a dream.

We also know that Joseph protected his family when he fled with them to Egypt, exemplifying the courage and commitment of a father. His trust in God and his humility are evident in his actions—he did not question, but faithfully followed God’s will. Joseph’s love for his family shone through in his quiet but steadfast obedience, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Although not much is said about Saint Joseph in scripture, we recognize him as a vital member of the Holy Family—a man of action who answered God’s call to care for those entrusted to him. Today, let us ask for Saint Joseph’s intercession, seeking the same fidelity to God’s will in our own lives.

Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted.
Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection.
Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me.
Amen.

2nd Sunday Of Lent Reflection

Transfiguration Of Christ by Francesco Zuccarelli

The 2nd Sunday of Lent offers an opportunity to reflect on our spiritual journey. We are invited to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, aligning ourselves with the sacrifices of Christ as He made His way toward the Cross. We, too, are called to journey with our Lord along the Way of the Cross, where we must be transformed by selfless and loving sacrifice. In emptying ourselves and letting go of the distractions and roadblocks that blind our view, we begin to see Christ glorified by the great love God has for us. It is in this process that we come to share in His glory.

The Gospel reading for this Sunday asks us to contemplate the mystery of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9:28b–36). Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain. There, they witness Him in His divine glory, His face shining like the sun, and His clothes dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear with Him, symbolizing the Law and the Prophets, affirming that Jesus is the fulfillment of all God’s promises. The voice of God declares, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to Him.”

This moment is a glimpse of the glory that will follow Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. It offers hope and encouragement, especially for those of us journeying through the Lenten season. Just as the disciples were encouraged by this revelation of Jesus’ divinity, we are reminded that our Lenten sacrifices, while difficult, are not empty. There is a promise of transformation and glory on the other side of our suffering.

This Sunday invites us to listen to Jesus more intently, to follow Him in His path of humility, and to trust that our own struggles, when offered in faith, can lead to deeper communion with Him. The Transfiguration reminds us that we are not alone in our journey. God has revealed His love and glory to us, and as we continue through Lent, we are called to keep our eyes fixed on the promise of the Resurrection that lies ahead.

A key takeaway this Sunday could be the importance of listening to God amidst the distractions of our daily lives. Just as the voice of God spoke to the disciples, we are called to listen deeply to God’s word and allow it to transform our hearts during this Lenten season. Recall the words from the prophet Joel at the start of this Lent, “rend your hearts, not your garments.” We must shed the facades and distractions of worldly affairs that prevent us from seeing Christ and ourselves in the radiant light of His glory.

As the Collect at today’s mass reminds us, may our spiritual sight be pure and our hearing attentive to listening to God’s voice.

Collect:

O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

1st Sunday of Lent

The first Sunday of Lent, marked by Jesus’s journey into the wilderness to fast for 40 days, reminds us that there is more to life than earthly desires. Following the Baptism of our Lord in Luke’s Gospel, we see that Jesus was led by the Spirit. In the same way, we too must seek moments throughout this Lenten season where we can be empowered by the Holy Spirit. These moments invite us to undergo our own fasts and embark on spiritual journeys to our own deserts of solitude and peace, where we can commune with our Lord Jesus.

Through prayer, we are empowered on our journey to receive the Holy Spirit in our lives. As the reading from Deuteronomy reminds us, the priests offered the firstfruits of the harvest to the Lord as a holy sacrifice. Do we offer God the firstfruits of our time and our actions? Perhaps this Lent, we can make it our goal to enrich our prayer life by setting aside distractions that dim our hearts, allowing the light of the Holy Spirit to shine within us. We can also practice this through almsgiving, sharing the blessings God provides with others.

Jesus fasted during this time, and fasting calls us to empty ourselves so that we might be filled with something greater. As the responsorial verse before the Gospel reminds us, “One does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4). During this time, we see that Jesus was tempted by Satan. We, too, are tempted as adopted sons and daughters of God. Our only response must be one of “Be gone, Satan,” allowing the Holy Spirit to overcome the desires and temptations that separate us from drawing closer to God.

This Lenten season, we are called to enter our own spiritual desert and seek God’s grace to do His holy will. Along the way, we will feel hungry, tired, and enticed by distractions. Yet, God offers us a reward beyond comparison at the end of this pilgrimage. Have courage and trust that Jesus is guiding us on this journey.

One thing we can do is to offer a Morning Offering prayer to God each day so that we recall what our mission is:

O Jesus, 
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 
I offer You my prayers, works, 
joys and sufferings
of this day for all the intentions
of Your Sacred Heart, 
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
throughout the world, 
in reparation for my sins, 
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends, 
and in particular
for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Amen.

Removing the Log & Seeing Christ In Others – 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time Reflection

Minus Megerdich Zorab “The Parable of the Mote & Beam” 1880 from the public domain https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zorab_mote_and_beam.jpg

Sirach 27:4-7 Psalm 92 1st Corinthians 15:54-58 Gospel of Luke 6:39-45

When I was a fifth-grade teacher at a Catholic school, I had a poster in our classroom titled “The Many Faces of Jesus.” This artwork served as a reminder that we are all called to reflect Christ’s love to others, regardless of our cultural or historical backgrounds. It’s a fitting reminder in light of today’s readings—how do we see Christ in others, despite differences and even another’s failings as compared to our own limited view? What is the beam in our eye that impedes our ability to do God’s will?

Last Sunday’s gospel reminded us to show mercy to our neighbor and to offer pardon instead of condemnation. The readings today, especially from Luke’s gospel, invite us to undertake the important task of self-examination. We are called to remove the plank from our own eye before noticing the splinter in our brother’s eye (Luke 6:42). As a society, we are often quick to judge others and form opinions, yet we rarely acknowledge our own failings. The Book of Sirach reminds us that the Master Potter shapes us, urging us to be mindful of how we speak to others. It also cautions us to be careful with our words, as they can have a powerful impact.

This gospel, however, does not mean that we should refrain from making righteous and compassionate judgments of our neighbor. If we see someone in a difficult situation, we are called to offer our compassionate advice and support. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2478) reminds us to guard against the negative aspect of rash judgment, which Jesus warns against—where we place ourselves in a position of superiority over others. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul encourages us to remain firm and steadfast in our work for God, reminding us that the sting of death and sin no longer holds power over us when we turn to the victory that Jesus the Christ has shown us.

As we prepare for the holy season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, it is beneficial to pray the Litany of Humility as one of many devotions. Our Lenten journey invites us to examine the depths of our hearts, to seek the log in our eye, and to strive to more closely reflect the image of Christ to others.

Litany of Humility

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, 
Hear me. 
From the desire of being esteemed, 
Deliver me, O Jesus. 
From the desire of being loved, 
Deliver me, O Jesus. 
From the desire of being extolled, etc.
From the desire of being honored, 
From the desire of being praised, 
From the desire of being preferred to others, 
From the desire of being consulted, 
From the desire of being approved, 
From the fear of being humiliated, 
From the fear of being despised, 
From the fear of suffering rebukes, 
From the fear of being calumniated, 
From the fear of being forgotten, 
From the fear of being ridiculed, 
From the fear of being wronged, 
From the fear of being suspected, 

That others may be loved more than I, 
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. 
That others may be esteemed more than I, 
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. 
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase 
and I may decrease, etc. 
That others may be chosen and I set aside, 
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, 
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
That others may become holier than I, 
provided that I may become as holy as I should.

By Cardinal Merry del Val (1880).

Saint Blaise, Pray For Us

New picture from mr. Kostilek in alcove of renovated chapel on Koukol’s hill retrieved from public domain at https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Novy_obraz_v_kapli_na_Koukolove_hore.jpg

About Saint Blaise:

Saint Blaise and the blessing of throats: A tradition of faith and healing

O glorious St. Blaise, who by your martyrdom left to the Church a precious witness to the Faith, obtain for us the grace to preserve within ourselves this divine gift, and to defend — without concern for human respect — both by word and example, the truth of that same Faith, which is so wickedly attacked and slandered in these our times. You miraculously restored a little child who was at the point of death because of an affliction of the throat. 

Grant us your mighty protection in similar misfortunes. And, above all, obtain for us the grace of Christian mortification, together with faithful observance of the precepts of the Church, which keep us from offending almighty God. Amen.

The Presentation of the Lord

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple by Gregorio Lazzarini from the public domain

Simeon’s words from the Gospel today: (Lk. 2:22-40)

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

May we all seek to be like Simeon or Anna from Luke’s gospel in which we speak and proclaim about the Christ. May we be obedient to the Master’s plan and keep watch in which our eyes and hearts long to see His magnificent and radiant glory. May the light of Christ dwell with us today.

The Baptism of Christ Jesus

The Baptism of Christ by El Greco. Retrieved from the public domain at Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:El_Greco_06.jpg

From a homily excerpt from St. Gregory Nazianzen:

Christ is bathed in light; let us also be bathed in light. Christ is baptized; let us also go down with him, and rise with him.

John is baptizing when Jesus draws near. Perhaps he comes to sanctify his baptizer; certainly he comes to bury sinful humanity in the waters. He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake and in readiness for us; he who is spirit and flesh comes to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water.

The Baptist protests; Jesus insists. Then John says: I ought to be baptized by you. He is the lamp in the presence of the sun, the voice in the presence of the Word, the friend in the presence of the Bridegroom, the greatest of all born of woman in the presence of the firstborn of all creation, the one who leapt in his mother’s womb in the presence of him who was adored in the womb, the forerunner and future forerunner in the presence of him who has already come and is to come again. I ought to be baptized by you: we should also add, “and for you,” for John is to be baptized in blood, washed clean like Peter, not only by the washing of his feet.

Jesus rises from the waters; the world rises with him. The heavens, like Paradise with its flaming sword, closed by Adam for himself and his descendants, are rent open. The Spirit comes to him as to an equal, bearing witness to his Godhead. A voice bears witness to him from heaven, his place of origin. The Spirit descends in bodily form like the dove that so long ago announced the ending of the flood and so gives honour to the body that is one with God.

Today let us do honour to Christ’s baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Be cleansed entirely and continue to be cleansed. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of men, for whom his every word and every revelation exist. He wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of him who is the light of heaven. You are to enjoy more and more the pure and dazzling light of the Trinity, as now you have received – though not in its fullness – a ray of its splendour, proceeding from the one God, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel from Lk. 3:22 And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Reference: Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (Oratio 39 in Sancta Lumina) from the Office of Readings for the Feast of Baptism of the Lord in the Roman breviary.

Reflection Questions:

Do you recall the date of your baptism in which you were made into a new creation and received sanctifying grace to cleanse you from the stain of original sin?

As baptized Christians we become adopted sons and daughters of the Holy Trinity. We put on the white garment symbolizing the purity of Christ Jesus as the lamb that was slain for our sin. We receive our baptismal candle, lit from the Easter paschal candle reminding us that we are made for the light, not the dark. No sin or transgression can separate us from God’s love. How do we live our call to continue to put to death our sin and those obstacles that separate us from God’s love? (See CCC, 2nd edition #s 1246-1284 for further reading & reflection of this great sacrament).

Many baptismal font designs now resemble a tomb that reminds us of this most crucial sacrament where sin is defeated and we rise to new life. The crucifix and carrying of our earthly crosses in the below image reflection from the baptismal font at a Catholic Church in North Texas reminds us of the ongoing effort to rid those roadblocks in our life and to put to death our sinful behavior so that we too might rise to new life in Christ Jesus.

Image taken by Eric Stengel at St Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson Tx

Pax, Eric

The Epiphany of Our Lord


Edward Burne-Jones, “The Adoration of the Magi,” 1890

The 12th Day of Christmas, on which we celebrate the Magi bearing gifts to the infant Christ, is more than just a revelation that He is the chosen Light of the World. It serves as a reminder that we, too, are called to seek out this revelation, to search for the Christ child in our midst. In doing so, we are invited to radiate His light to others, especially to those within our own families.

It is customary to perform a house blessing on this day, inviting our Lord to bless our homes for the coming year. The Epiphany (Revelation) or Theophany (Revelation of God) reminds us that it is Emmanuel (Is. 7:14)—God with us—who has been revealed to save us from the darkness of sin and selfishness, transforming that darkness into a magnificent and holy light. Like the Magi, we are called to seek the bright and shining star that leads to Jesus, drawing out the good in ourselves and in others.

Will we, like the Magi, offer the Child Jesus the gift of ourselves and dedicate this year to our Lord, fully embracing God’s will and His plan of salvation for our journey? Will we cast aside those aspects of life that dim our vision, preventing us from following the guiding star that leads us to Jesus?

Here is a link to a House Blessing by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/blessing-home-and-household-epiphany

A household blessing with chalk: https://www.churchpop.com/blessing-your-home-on-epiphany-how-to-do-it-in-2025/

Take some time today & reflect on today’s Gospel from Matthew 2:1-12. How can you make this coming year one that leads you to the star that leads to Jesus?

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Theotokos)

Madonna & Child by Fra Angelico 1430

Today, we honor Mary as the Theotokos, or “God-Bearer.” The Council of Ephesus formally proclaimed her this title, recognizing her unique role in salvation history. Mary holds a special place as the mother of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As adopted children of God, we share a filial connection with Mary, who intercedes for us as the Queen of Angels and Saints. No matter our station in life, we can turn to her for guidance and inspiration, helping us return to the path Jesus calls us to follow.

From a Letter from Saint Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, 4th Century Divine Office of Readings:

What was born of Mary was therefore human by nature, in accordance with the inspired Scriptures, and the body of the Lord was a true body: It was a true body because it was the same as ours. Mary, you see, is our sister, for we are all born from Adam.

The words of St John, the Word was made flesh, bear the same meaning, as we may see from a similar turn of phrase in St Paul: Christ was made a curse for our sake. Man’s body has acquired something great through its communion and union with the Word. From being mortal it has been made immortal; though it was a living body it has become a spiritual one; though it was made from the earth it has passed through the gates of heaven.

Even when the Word takes a body from Mary, the Trinity remains a Trinity, with neither increase nor decrease. It is for ever perfect. In the Trinity we acknowledge one Godhead, and thus one God, the Father of the Word, is proclaimed in the Church.

Lk. 2:16-21 (NABRE)

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Let us reflect today on the great mystery of Mary being chosen as a holy vessel, one of a noble and powerful act in being a Mother to God’s Son Jesus.

It is Customary to Recite the Te Deum within the last day of the Octave of the Christmas Season:

Te Deum

You are God: we praise you;
You are God: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
Your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
And the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
The eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
You did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death,
And opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
Bought with the price of your own blood,
And bring us with your saints
To glory everlasting.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
Govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you.
We praise your name forever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy;
For we put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope:
And we shall never hope in vain

J+M+J: Holy Family, Pray For Us

Saint Patrick Church (Troy, Ohio) – stained-glass windows, Finding Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem

Readings:

1 Samuel 1, or Sirach 3, Psalm 84, 1 John 3 or 3 Colossians, Luke 2:41–52

Today, within the Octave of Christmas, we reflect on the Holy Family. The initials J+M+J—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—serve as a reminder of God’s plan of salvation. This simple yet profound model reveals how God’s love was made manifest through the humble calling of a family.

Think about your own family—or perhaps even your in-laws. There is often that one family member who tests our patience, challenging us to resist lashing out, suspend judgment, and instead show love and understanding. The Holy Family was holy not only because of their virtues but also because they remained faithful to their Jewish traditions. As today’s Gospel from Luke recounts, they journeyed to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. During this pilgrimage, Mary and Joseph experienced a moment of worry and human frailty when they misplaced 12-year-old Jesus, who had stayed behind in the temple, astonishing the elders with His wisdom.

Even Mary, as a mother, had her moments. Yet, the key message in Jesus’s response when she found Him was profound: “Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?” The Gospel writer Luke tells us that Jesus was obedient to Mary and Joseph throughout His life, while Mary treasured all these moments in her heart. We, too, can learn from the Holy Family’s example by honoring the third commandment: keeping the Sabbath holy. This includes going to the House of the Lord and celebrating His presence together. We should read our bibles and reflect upon God’s word within our families. Committing to being part of a church community can be challenging, but it is essential for grounding our family in an enduring love with God at its center.

The Holy Family faced many challenges, yet they were holy because they allowed God’s will to guide their decisions. When Joseph received the dream to take the Holy Family to Egypt to escape King Herod’s attempt to kill the infant Jesus, they fled in obedience. When Joseph took Mary as his wife & traveled to Bethlehem for the census to start the Holy Family’s life together, it was divine providence. Pious & holy Saint Joseph cast aside his doubt, fear & pride to humbly follow God’s will. Likewise, when the humble and pious Mary and Joseph celebrated Passover, they faithfully made the journey to Jerusalem. These profound events in the life of the Holy Family remind us of the importance of keeping God at the center of our lives.

The beloved priest Father Patrick Peyton reminds us, “The family that prays together stays together.” Learn more about his legacy at www.fatherpeyton.org.

Make prayer a cornerstone of your life, and never lose hope. God favors the family as His simple yet profound plan to reveal His love to the world today.

Holy Family, Pray for Us.

Merry Christmas!

Kefermarkt altarpiece

Rejoice! Today in Bethlehem, a Savior is born—Christ the Lord. As I reflect on this glorious season of the Incarnation of Christ Jesus, I am reminded, as a history major, of the unfolding timeline of salvation history. God’s unconditional love for humanity is revealed through the generations of covenants—from Abraham to Noah, Moses, David, and ultimately, the New Covenant through Christ—where God dwells with us. As Saint Athanasius beautifully reminds us: God became man so that we might become, and resemble, God’s divinity through grace.

My late grandmother Doris used to sign her cards, In love & light. One of the Christmas Gospel readings from the Gospel of John beautifully reminds us: A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall not overcome it.

This light is Jesus the Lord. The Savior foretold by the prophet Isaiah has come to us, taking on human form. Though God’s Son was without sin, He chose to bear the weight of our sin, paying the ultimate sacrifice. God’s New Covenant is a profound sign of His love and light, revealed to us on this day. By taking the form of a vulnerable and dependent baby, Jesus exemplifies the kind of love we are called to reflect on this Christmas Day. Just as the infant Jesus relied on Mary and Joseph, God desires for us to depend on Him with the same trust and humility.

Let us turn to the Lord this day and reflect on the Season of Christmas, a time when God seeks to transform the dark corners of our lives and fill them with His radiant light of grace. “Come to me, take my hand, and rely on my grace.”Truly, today a Savior is born, and Jesus, the Light of the World, longs to shine upon us this day!

Finding Holiday Cheer & Inner Peace

For many, the consumerism of the holiday season and the pressure to buy gifts can create stress. For others, this time of year is filled with grief and desolation. Not everyone experiences holiday cheer or finds inner peace during this season.

It’s worth reflecting on the true nature of the season—where the simple pleasures of seeing beautiful lights, sipping hot chocolate, and enjoying festive treats may bring a bit of cheer. If we look back to the first Christmas celebration, we remember that Joseph and Mary had no lodging for Mary, who was heavily pregnant. Mary is believed to have traveled about 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, enduring a long and difficult journey due to a census ordered by Caesar. Traveling while about to give birth, with only animal transport, was no easy task. The holiday cheer of Joseph and Mary likely wasn’t as clear as often depicted in paintings, but despite the hardships, something deep within their hearts and souls kept them going. Jesus, the Light of the World, and God’s grace moved them to face these challenges. Giving birth to Jesus in the humble surroundings of livestock was not easy, but Christians believe Jesus came into the world to uplift the lowest of the low and to offer God’s grace, love, and mercy to all who are impoverished and desolate.

Perhaps you’re not a Christian, and that’s okay. The “reason for the season” might make you think of the Grinch and how some might view you in a similar light. But at its core, the season is about finding peace—a pursuit that can be difficult, especially if you are grappling with the loss of a loved one, facing health challenges, or feeling overwhelmed. Think about those moments in life that brought you happiness. Reflect on the kindness a neighbor has shown you or a small act of goodwill you once did for someone else.

Seeking the love and peace of the season can feel like an arduous task. I encourage you to find peace in the silence. Contemplate the joyful memories and places that once brought you happiness—that is the heart of the season and a path toward inner peace.

To be cheerful is often a matter of changing your perspective—even if this time of year makes you feel like shutting the door and becoming an Ebenezer Scrooge or the Grinch. Finding peace requires escaping the distractions of the mind and the pains of the body, and following the heart toward those cherished moments of joy. It is not an easy task, but it is worth the effort to experience the true cheer of the season.

May the reason for the season bring you holiday cheer. May your quest for peace lead you to a moment of calm and joy.

In love & light.

Saint John of the Cross, Priest, Doctor 

Bio: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-of-the-cross/

From a spiritual Canticle by John of the Cross:  The knowledge of the mystery hidden in Christ Jesus

Though holy doctors have uncovered many mysteries and wonders, and devout souls have understood them in this earthly condition of ours, yet the greater part still remains to be unfolded by them, and even to be understood by them.

We must, then, dig deeply in Christ. He is like a rich mine with many pockets containing treasures. However deep we dig, we will never find their end or their limit. Indeed, in every pocket new seams of fresh riches are discovered on all sides.

For this reason the apostle Paul said of Christ: In him are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God. The soul cannot enter into these treasures, nor attain them, unless it first crosses into and enters the thicket of suffering, enduring interior and exterior labors, and unless it first receives from God very many blessings in the intellect and in the senses, and has undergone long spiritual training.

All these are lesser things, disposing the soul for the lofty sanctuary of the knowledge of the mysteries of Christ: this is the highest wisdom attainable in this life. Would that men might come at last to see that is it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for the divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross.

Saint Paul, therefore, urges the Ephesians not to grow weary in the midst of tribulations, but to be rooted and grounded in love, so that they may know with all the saints the breadth, the length, the height and the depth – to know what is beyond the knowledge – the love of Christ, so as to be filled with all the fullness of God.

The gate that gives entry into these riches of his wisdom is the cross; because it is a narrow gate. While many seek the joys that can be gained though it, it is given to few to desire to pass through it.

Quote: “Where there is no love, put love, and you will draw love out.” 

Source: The Liturgy of the Hours, Office of Readings, December 14

Advent – Making Room Within The Inn of Our Hearts for the Christ child Jesus

As many Christians prepare to think about shopping for Christmas gifts, decorating with lights and the secular push to conform with society, it’s good to ponder the seasons of life. Let us await with gentle patience the coming of Jesus, the Christ child. Making room within the inn of our hearts during the penitential time of Advent is crucial for a spectacular incarnation to occur for us on this earthly pilgrimage. Such a season not only reminds us of the first coming of our Lord & King Jesus born in a manger, but of the time when He will return with the second coming.

This first week of Advent reminds us of the need to have hope. We are to be watchful and to be on guard. As Saint Luke’s reminds us there will be apocalyptic signs when Jesus returns again, but we should not fear if we place our trust and hope in the Lord.

Will we make this season of Advent one where we prepare the way for the Lord? We oftentimes think that Lent is the time for penance, but Advent is a penitential time of preparation as well. Such a season reminds us of the need to give alms, declutter, attend the sacrament of reconciliation and increase our prayer. Just as in Luke’s gospel describing that there was no room for Jesus and the holy family in the inn, will you make this advent season one where there is room in the inn of your heart?

Advent songs: https://catholicreview.org/advent-hymns-and-songs/

St. Andrew, Pray for Us

St. Andrew by Peter Paul Rubens on the public domain at Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rubens_apostel_andreas_grt.jpg

Today the church recalls St. Andrew, the first apostle and humble fisherman and brother of Simon Peter. St. Andrew, a follower of John the Baptist, led a bunch of followers to Christ Jesus as a strong witness of the Holy Spirit & ventured out to Greece and Asia Minor spreading the good news of the gospel.

St. Andrew was martyred for the faith on an x shaped cross or saltire cross in Greece and legend states he preached the faith from the cross for two days before his demise.

Gospel (Mt. 4:18-22)

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

What is holding you back from leaving all of your concerns, worries and roadblocks of life to come follow Jesus? St. Andrew along with Simon Peter immediately left their nets, their livelihoods to follow Jesus. Can you say the same thing with where you are in your faith life?

A reflection from St John Chrysostom from the Breviary office of readings has an interesting reflection for us to ponder:

After Andrew had stayed with Jesus and had learned much from him, he did not keep this treasure to himself, but hastened to share it with his brother. Notice what Andrew said to him: We have found the Messiah, that is to say, the Christ. Notice how his words reveal what he has learned in so short a time. They show the power of the master who has convinced them of this truth. They reveal the zeal and concern of men preoccupied with this question from the very beginning. Andrew’s words reveal a soul waiting with the utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to his appearing from heaven, rejoicing when he does appear, and hastening to announce so great an event to others. To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers, of loving kinship and sincere affection.

Notice, too, how, even from the beginning, Peter is docile and receptive in spirit. He hastens to Jesus without delay. He brought him to Jesus, says the evangelist. But Peter must not be condemned for his readiness to accept Andrew’s word without much weighing of it. It is probable that his brother had given him, and many others, a careful account of the event; the evangelists, in the interest of brevity, regularly summarise a lengthy narrative. Saint John does not say that Peter believed immediately, but that he brought him to Jesus. Andrew was to hand him over to Jesus, to learn everything for himself. There was also another disciple present, and he hastened with them for the same purpose.

When John the Baptist said: This is the Lamb, and he baptizes in the Spirit, he left the deeper understanding of these things to be received from Christ. All the more so would Andrew act in the same way, since he did not think himself able to give a complete explanation. He brought his brother to the very source of light, and Peter was so joyful and eager that he would not delay even for a moment.

Sources:

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=109

Roman Office of Readings for the Feast of Saint Andrew from a homily excerpt from St John Chrysostom on St John’s gospel

Give Thanks To The Lord

Our very life and the source of all goodness and mercy come from the Lord God. As Psalm 107:1 reminds us, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Saint Paul also calls us to gratitude, urging us to offer thanksgiving for all that we have in Christ Jesus: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

Every time we gather at the altar and receive Jesus in the Eucharist—whose very name, derived from the Greek eucharistia, means “thanksgiving”—we are called to something greater. While it’s easy to focus on complaints about our circumstances, or lament how the paycheck no longer stretches as far for our Thanksgiving meals, we must not allow these worries to overshadow the light of Christ that dwells in each of us. A grateful heart is a joyous heart. When we cultivate gratitude—whether for the gift of life, our family and friends, or even that one coworker, friend, or family member who challenges us—we open our hearts to something higher.

As we gather around the table today, let us take a moment to reflect on what we are thankful for. Let us lift up all our worries, concerns, and troubles to the Lord God.

From today’s Collect Prayer at Mass:
“Father all-powerful, Your gifts of love are countless and Your goodness infinite. As we come before You on Thanksgiving Day with gratitude for Your kindness, open our hearts to concern for every man, woman, and child, so that we may share Your gifts in loving service. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.”

The Solemnity of Jesus Christ the King of the Universe

Image of the Consecracion of Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by President Garcia Moreno in 1873, propagated by Father Mateo Image in Public Domain Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons

Book of Daniel 7:13-14 Psalm 93:1 Book of Revelation 1:5-8 Gospel of John 18:33b-37

Today, the Catholic Church honors Jesus Christ as the Lord and King of the Universe, reigning over both earth and heaven. This solemnity was first instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, originally celebrated in late October. Later, Pope St. Paul VI moved the commemoration to the Sunday before Advent, a fitting placement as we anticipate the incarnation of Christ and reflect on God’s plan of redemption through His Son, our King.

The Gospel of John proclaimed on this solemnity invites us to reflect on a central tenet of our faith: the search for truth as citizens longing for heaven.

“You say I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:37). Pilate’s rhetorical question, “What is truth?” (Quid est veritas?) prompts us to explore the eternal nature of Christ’s Kingship. As the prophet Daniel reminds us, this Kingship is everlasting and will never be destroyed.

In today’s politicized world, we often find ourselves distracted by false truths, divided by partisan politics, and quick to cast judgment on those who do not share our values or beliefs. Yet, the truth our King Jesus testifies to is one of perfect, self-giving love. By surrendering His very life, Christ established a covenant of love, offering us the opportunity to become citizens of His perfect kingdom in heaven.

This kingdom is not a distant reality—it is here and now, present in the way we live our lives among the Church Militant. The Beatitudes and the commands to aid the stranger, nourish the poor, and uplift the downtrodden are not optional; they are the very fabric of Christ’s reign. To follow this King, crowned with thorns and pierced with nails, we must cast aside selfish and sinful behaviors, take up our cross, and embrace the sacrificial love He exemplifies.

The truth that Jesus reminds Pilate of cannot be found in the fleeting pleasures or luxuries of this world. Rather, it lies in the transformative love of the Holy Trinity. The love between the Father and the Son, poured out through the Holy Spirit, invites us into communion with God as citizens of His kingdom—both on earth and in heaven.

This week, let us reflect on these profound truths. Who is the ruler of our lives? Do we fully surrender ourselves to Christ, seeking the truth and beauty of His kingdom?

As the hymn often sung on this solemnity reminds us:

“To Jesus Christ, our Sovereign King,
Who is the world’s salvation,
All praise and homage do we bring,
And thanks and adoration.
Christ Jesus Victor, Christ Jesus Ruler!
Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer!”

Written by Fr. Martin Hellriegel during the rise of the Third Reich, this hymn calls us to turn away from worldly powers and submit ourselves to Christ, the King of all powers and principalities.

May Christ the King reign in our hearts and guide us to live as faithful citizens of His eternal kingdom.

The Presentation of The Theotokos, the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Temple

Retrieved from https://www.marypages.com/the-presentation-of-the-lord-en.html

From a sermon by Saint Augustine

By faith she believed; by faith, conceived

Stretching out his hand over his disciples, the Lord Christ declared: Here are my mother and my brothers; anyone who does the will of my Father who sent me is my brother and sister and my mother. I would urge you to ponder these words. Did the Virgin Mary, who believed by faith and conceived by faith, who was the chosen one from whom our Saviour was born among men, who was created by Christ before Christ was created in her – did she not do the will of the Father? Indeed the blessed Mary certainly did the Father’s will, and so it was for her a greater thing to have been Christ’s disciple than to have been his mother, and she was more blessed in her discipleship than in her motherhood. Hers was the happiness of first bearing in her womb him whom she would obey as her master.

Now listen and see if the words of Scripture do not agree with what I have said. The Lord was passing by and crowds were following him. His miracles gave proof of divine power, and a woman cried out: Happy is the womb that bore you, blessed is that womb! But the Lord, not wishing people to seek happiness in a purely physical relationship, replied: More blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it. Mary heard God’s word and kept it, and so she is blessed. She kept God’s truth in her mind, a nobler thing than carrying his body in her womb. The truth and the body were both Christ: he was kept in Mary’s mind insofar as he is truth, he was carried in her womb insofar as he is man; but what is kept in the mind is of a higher order than what is carried in the womb.

The Virgin Mary is both holy and blessed, and yet the Church is greater than she. Mary is a part of the Church, a member of the Church, a holy, an eminent – the most eminent – member, but still only a member of the entire body. The body undoubtedly is greater than she, one of its members. This body has the Lord for its head, and head and body together make up the whole Christ. In other words, our head is divine – our head is God.

Now, beloved, give me your whole attention, for you also are members of Christ; you also are the body of Christ. Consider how you yourselves can be among those of whom the Lord said: Here are my mother and my brothers. Do you wonder how you can be the mother of Christ? He himself said: Whoever hears and fulfils the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and my sister and my mother. As for our being the brothers and sisters of Christ, we can understand this because although there is only one inheritance and Christ is the only Son, his mercy would not allow him to remain alone. It was his wish that we too should be heirs of the Father, and co-heirs with himself.

Now having said that all of you are brothers of Christ, shall I not dare to call you his mother? Much less would I dare to deny his own words. Tell me how Mary became the mother of Christ, if it was not by giving birth to the members of Christ? You, to whom I am speaking, are the members of Christ. Of whom were you born? “Of Mother Church,” I hear the reply of your hearts. You became sons of this mother at your baptism, you came to birth then as members of Christ. Now you in your turn must draw to the font of baptism as many as you possibly can. You became sons when you were born there yourselves, and now by bringing others to birth in the same way, you have it in your power to become the mothers of Christ.

From Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father. (From the communion antiphon at the mass today, cf. Lk 11:27).

Continuing To Live Out The Gospel Message Post Election Season

Image of a Roman Coun from the public Domain

The Gospel from Matthew (22:15-22) reminds us of our call as Christians. The Pharisees wish to entrap Jesus along with the followers of Herod by asking Jesus if it is lawful to pay a tax with a pagan image of Cesar in which the Romans worshipped their emperor as a god/deity.

Jesus’s response reminds us that we should abide by the laws of the world and render unto Cesar’s what is Cesar’s while giving to God what is owed to God. It is easy for us to place labels and chastise individuals in our family and among our friends for how they cast their vote.

For those that are Christian, we must be mindful that we respect those duly appointed leaders and the laws of this nation by fulfilling our Christian call of discipleship. Of course, this does not mean we are not to petition and address our grievances for unjust laws that go against our faith.

A good guide to follow is how we live out the primary call of God’s commandment in loving God with our whole heart, mind, soul & strength. With the second commandment, Jesus reminds us to love our neighbor as ourself – (even if they voted for the other political opponent).

At the end of the day, letting trivial matters like politics divide us as Christians is not befitting of our baptismal call as new creations being wonderfully made in the light of Jesus. Many politicians of today’s time like to take sides and disparage the character of another. In doing so, they are not living up to the Christian Call of solidarity, charity, compassion, or loving others. We should take the high road for that is our call as Jesus’s disciples.

Blessed Miguel Pro, a martyr for the faith was executed in 1927 during the Cristeros War in Mexico. The Mexican government was opposed to the Catholic clerical influence. The chant of the Cristeros movement was ¡Viva Cristo Rey! or Long Live Christ the King!

If we as chosen disciples of Jesus truly want to honor Christ, our glorious king, we should practice loving our neighbor as ourselves regardless of who they voted for. There will be winners and losers after this election season is over. We must be mindful, that when we love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength then it does not matter what is given to Cesar or the ruling class of the day. Our life is geared toward heavenly matters of citizenship. As Jesus reminds us, heaven and earth will pass away, but his words will not pass away (Mt. 24:35).

This earthly life is not our end goal. Being transformed and made perfect by God’s love is our goal. Jesus was crucified for the weight of the sin of all mankind is the only choice we should be concerned about. Getting caught up in the vitriol and mudslinging of which political party is in charge does not keep us on the path that Jesus wants for us as his chosen disciples.

Despite what outcome occurs at the ballot box, let love for God and love for our brother be our guide. When Christ our King is leading us, it does not matter who our neighbor voted for because God’s love is what should guide us.