2024

Today we take a short detour from our Advent Journey. Our detour takes us to the town of Cáceres, a medieval village approximately 150 miles southwest of Madrid, Spain.  There have been settlements near Cáceres since prehistoric times, as evidenced by cave paintings near Maltravieso and El Conejar.   The town itself was founded by […]

Today (Isaiah 40:1-11) we begin a series of readings from what is known as ‘The Book of Consolation’. It consists of chapters 40 to 55 of Isaiah, and its unknown author is referred to as ‘Second Isaiah’. He is writing much later than the previous chapters, at the end of the Jews’ exile in Babylon.

The most important and significant event in the whole course of human history will be celebrated, with or without understanding, at the end of this Advent season.  For many, the towering miracle of God’s visit to this planet will be glossed over, brushed aside, or rendered impotent by over-familiarity.  Even for believers, the full weight

A voice cries in the wilderness:Prepare a way for the Lord,make his paths straight.Every valley will be filled in,every mountain and hill be laid low,winding ways will be straightenedand rough roads made smooth.And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.(Isaiah 40: 1-5) John was a biblical prophet who prepared the way for the ministry

Yesterday, we talked about how Jesus, while still in his mother’s womb, was taking the Good News to those who were prepared to acknowledge his presence. Today’s gospel reading (Matthew 9:35‑10:1,6‑8) shows Jesus as an adult constantly on the move, teaching in synagogues all over the region, proclaiming the Good News of God’s reign coming

Each Advent, the Church asks us to spend some time focusing on the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The Church does this not merely because Mary has an obviously unforgettable role in the birth and life of Jesus. The real reason that the Church proposes Mary to us as Christmas nears is because she is the model

There are times when Jesus’ parables can cast light on our current problems, and other times when current problems cry out for light from the parables.  Today’s readings (Matthew 7:21, 24-27) are a case in point. The current crises in both our church and our national governments can be seen as vivid examples of the

On that day,A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,and from his roots a bud shall blossom.The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,A Spirit of counsel and of strength,a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,and his delight shall be the fear of the

Part 2 Yesterday, we talked about the three themes for the advent season: a time of waiting; a time of conversion; and a time of hope.  We talked about how the Church has a profound calling to make Advent more than just a set of religious activities but rather a period of grace-filled waiting, authentic

Part 1 Each December brings the same temptation for Catholics: Join the commercially oriented Christmas frenzy in nearly every corner of modern society; or avoid it for the sake of focusing on living and breathing the meaning of Advent in preparation of the real Christmas season. The tension between the movement of society and Christmas is perhaps