Saint Paschal Baylon, Patron Saint of the Eucharist We have quick reports of what the apostles were doing in these readings. Paul is stoned and then gets up and keeps on going! He is like the Energizer Bunny, who continues with the other disciples to share with as many people as they can about Christ. […]

Optional Memorial of Saint Damien Joseph de Veuster of Moloka’i The name Barnabas means “one who encourages.” It is only right then that he would be the one going to Antioch, sharing the grace of God and rejoicing and encouraging the newly-formed Christian community. This is an encouraging part of Easter life. We are to […]

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter Celebrating this octave of Easter reminds us of the importance of Easter mystery in our lives and the disciples’ experiences talking with the risen Lord. It is always fascinating that he, whom they knew so intimately, remained a bit of a mystery at first in that garden and their […]

Tuesday of Holy Week Today’s readings give us a chance to recognize a deeply personal pitfall of servanthood: betrayal. Being betrayed is an experience not to be forgotten. Many movies, musicals, and novels recount endless betrayals and their life-altering consequences. In the context of Holy Week, we relive Christ’s betrayal and perhaps recall some of […]

How is Christ calling me to be humble today? In what ways may I be a better servant to others? From the beginning of the prophet Isaiah’s testimony, we read the instruction that calls us to change our lives and turns our attention to aim for God’s justice and care of others. Noted in A […]

Each day of Lent helps us focus on one of the aspects of better Christian living. This season draws us to renew much in our baptismal covenants with God. Today we reflect especially on our prayer life, a life that should lead to “giving” and forgiveness. Isaiah strongly predicted that our word would sow and […]

“Do you still not understand?” This is the proverbial question that we hear God ask us when searching for our own ways or understanding of life. We seek answers, we ask for prayers and wishes to be granted, yet some answers to our questions and quandaries are not understandable. We may feel we do not […]

Memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita Today’s first reading reminded me of our founder, Saint Peter Julian Eymard, who in the famous story ran to be in the presence of the Lord and listen to Christ in the tabernacle. “How love is your dwelling place!” We, too, are still called to come to these places of […]

You might have seen The Chosen, an online app that currently dramatizes the gospel. One of my favorite scenes is when Jesus and the disciples are very hungry. After a few days of not eating, they snack in a field of grains. Then they realize they are “doing wrong” on the Sabbath day. They realize […]

Hannah ends her fasting and sadness over her barrenness and rises at the pilgrimage site Shiloh. The priest Eli prays that her holy meal will be a blessing and her prayers will be answered. Indeed, she conceives and bears Samuel. Our reading continues with the responsorial today not being from the psalms but continuing the […]