In his encyclical Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”), Pope Francis describes one of the temptations of Christians today. Rather than experience the joy of the Risen Christ, the gift of divine love that dwells among the human family, we may
From an early age, we come to recognize ourselves as free creatures. The 2-year-old seeks to tie her own shoes, to buckle her own seatbelt, to “do it myself!” This awakening of freedom is a perilous gift. After all, we have been
In a recent cover story in The Atlantic, journalist and former priest James Carroll announced that he refuses to participate in Mass. Because of the abuse scandal, he has determined that only a total boycott of the Eucharist makes sense. Until the
The Trinity cannot be bypassed because of its complexity; instead, we should marvel in the rich mystery
If you attend the Pentecost Vigil, you’ll notice something peculiar about the readings. This is true whether you participate in the extended Vigil of Pentecost or the shorter Vigil. Namely, there is no reading from Acts, no account of the descent of
Jesus' ascent into heaven creates a single narrative, bridging the gap between the Gospels, Acts
In Scripture readings for Mass on May 26, we learn how important the number twelve is in the book of Revelations. There are 12 gates, 12 angels, 12 tribes, 12 courses of stones and apostles. Why is the number used so often?
We see glimpses of heaven through love’s communion in the Church, central in the Eucharist
When we hear the word “apocalyptic,” images of wrath and destruction come to mind — blockbuster films with malevolent aliens or brain-hungry zombies. The “apocalyptic” refers to the foreboding promise of destruction, the end of the age in which human history comes
In the Gospel of John, Our Lord transformed water into wine at Cana, healed the royal official’s son, cured a paralytic, fed the crowd with miraculous loaves and fishes, walked on water, gave sight to the man born blind and raised Lazarus