For the Third Sunday of Advent, or Gaudete Sunday, Father Joshua Whitfield emphasizes that today we are told to “Rejoice in the Lord.” Christ, born of the virgin, is the bringer of joy, the forger of our felicity. Rejoicing and prayer strengthen
REFLECT The Prophet Isaiah cries out, “Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” (Is 40:3). What does the verse mean? The second century Christian theologian Origen says, “The Lord wants to find in you a path by which he
Catherine Cavadini prepares you for the Second Sunday of Advent by looking at John the Baptist as he proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The mystery of Christ’s love is prophesied by John the Baptist. He is the
A reader writes: “Jesus praises the poor widow for giving from what she had need of and seems dismissive of those who gave from their surplus. Isn’t there something irresponsible about giving from what we need? What is the Lord really saying
Be ready for Mass on the First Sunday of Advent! Father Joshua Whitfield reminds us that the message this Advent is to watch and to draw on the liturgical power of the Church to remember to see with “spiritual eyes.” Father Whitfield
Let columnist Catherine Cavadini prepare you for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: “Jesus is not a king like the kings of this world. He is king by virtue of his humility and love, out of which
Be ready for Mass on the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time! Father Joshua Whitfield reflects upon the parable of the talents. We know that some may have mistakenly thought Jesus’ return was to happen so soon that they needn’t worry about much
Be ready for Mass on the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time with Opening the Word Scripture reflection. Columnist Catherine Cavadini writes: “In his parable of the ten virgins, Christ tells us that the first five are wise — they are prepared with
Too many of us worry too much about how others see us and little about how the Lord sees us. Perhaps it is easier to occupy ourselves with concerns over the gaze of other people because we can see their eyes looking
Be ready for Mass on the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time! Father Joshua Whitfield reflects on the dangers of spiritual blindness and arrogance, the desire to impress others rather than to serve God: “The point is simple; it’s about the spiritual dangers