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
Jesus offers us newness of life through his mercy, but are we bold enough to accept it and start again?
Parables like that of the prodigal or lost son find a way to capture the imagination of even secular men and women. The image of a father who runs to his son, who embraces him even before he can confess his misery,
In the public sphere, there is often a separation between the act of worship and public life. We are told religion, including worship, is personal. And the act of worship — what we adore — should have no influence on public life.
Christians are at risk of falling into a severe trap. Namely, we believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is really a matter of being a decent, upright person rather than receiving the gift of salvation from God. Expectations say that a
In this column, I often have cautioned against our mishearing of familiar scriptural passages. When we hear the parable of the prodigal son or the good Samaritan, we cease listening because we’re so used to these stories. Luke’s blessings and woes (the
Both the calling of the apostles and their following of Our Lord seem irrational. Jesus, the one who has come to fulfill the messianic prophecy of Isaiah, seeks out missionary companions. But instead of choosing those with power, he identifies once-anonymous men