Faith

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church Readings: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 Psalms 80:2AC, 3B, 15-16, 18-19 Matthew 17:9A, 10-13 Memorial of Saint John of the Cross Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1-10A Psalms 37:3-4, 5-6,…

Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. (James 5:7) I gave a talk in a parish on…

Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr Readings: Isaiah 48:17-19 Psalms 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6 Matthew 11:16-19 Memorial of Saint Lucy Readings: 2 Corinthians 10:17B-11:2 Psalms 31:3CD-4, 6, 8AB, 16BC, 17 Matthew 25:1-13

As soon as the leftover Thanksgiving turkey is sealed in its Tupperware and placed in the refrigerator, I can typically be found climbing a ladder in the garage, bringing boxes marked “Christmas Decorations” down from the rafters.  As the…

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Readings: Zechariah 2:14-17 or Revelation 11:19A, 12:1-6A, 10AB Judith 13:18BCDE, 19 Luke 1:26-38 or 1:39-47

While Inferno remains the most famous part of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, the poems’ two subsequent parts, Purgatorio and Paradiso are necessary for understanding Inferno in its entirety. Much like understanding only one part of the…

St. Damasus I, Pope Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31 Psalms 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10 Matthew 11:28-30 Optional Memorial of Saint Damasus I Acts 20:17-18A, 28-32, 36 Psalms 110:1, 2, 3, 4 John 15:9-17

Advent is about watching and preparing. The Mass readings for the First Sunday of Advent reveal this fact to us. Of course, we are watching and preparing for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, at Christmas, but the readings remind us…

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalms 96:1-2, 3, 10AC, 11-12, 13 Matthew 18:12-14 Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Loreto Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10 Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50=51, 52-53, 54-55 Luke 1:26-38

Many of the Marian doctrines and feasts — so troublesome to those who hold that Scripture is the sole source of what can be known about Jesus and Mary — have roots in the earliest centuries of the Christian faith. These Christians seem to…