The season of Advent is upon us – a time of waiting, a time of anticipation. We look forward to celebrating one of the central mysteries of our faith, the Incarnation, again. We seek to appreciate anew the fact that God so loved the world that God sent the Eternal Word, his own Son, into […]

Always obedient to the Father, Jesus tells us that his mission is to seek and save all who are lost. His determination to honor this task is necessary because it is not the will of the Father “that one of these little ones be lost.” The biblical meaning of “lost” is being in the wrong […]

There is a form of prayer that invites us, as we read the Gospel, vividly to imagine ourselves in the story. Right alongside Jesus, we may stand in judgment as a Pharisee, in belief as a disciple, or in awe as a witness to his healing power. In today’s scripture, imagine yourself as the paralytic […]

2nd Sunday of Advent Repent, for the reign of God is at hand. Prepare the way of the Lord and make straight his path. (Matthew 3:1-2). Advent is upon us! We have a particular way of preparing for Christmas. It is a joyful time. We buy gifts, prepare food, and send our best wishes to […]

Whenever I work in one of the big cities, I can easily discern that very distinct line between wealth and poverty and between thriving and struggling. I can often find, without too much effort, the virtual divisions, sometimes block by block between what my friends call the safe zones and the war zones, and I […]

I love the Old Testament readings during Advent. Like the first reading today from the prophet Isaiah – they are often full of wonderful imagery that speaks of hope, better times, and the promise of a Messiah. For it is that time again to contemplate and pray over the meaning of the coming of the […]

Two blind men cried out, “Son of David, have pity on us!”…And their eyes were opened. … they went out and spread word of him through all that land (Matthew 9:27,30-31). What did they see that compelled them to go on a mission, to leave their old life behind? What did Jesus see when he looked […]

Saint Andrew, Feast Today we are celebrating the Feast of Saint Andrew, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and the brother of Saint Peter. In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls his first followers – the brothers Simon and Andrew. Jesus said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ It […]

“On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse (father of King David), and from his roots, a bud shall blossom.” – the beginning of Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming of Jesus and the fulfillment of the covenant. He then prophesizes that this Jesus will be given the gifts of the Holy […]

When I was young, the Advent season seemed to be Lent’s first cousin. I thought it was a time of repentance and waiting because something important would happen. We were encouraged to make some sacrifices to help prepare for Christmas and to spend some extra time in prayer in expectation of the coming of the […]