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Lent
Simple and spiritually fulfilling ways to observe Lent
At its core, Christianity is a religion which revolves around suffering. From the beginning of the Scriptures we see how man’s own folly has condemned us to lives filled with suffering, and the long breadth of human history easily…
Renewing your spirit by decluttering your house
The Book of Ecclesiastes says that there is nothing new under the sun, but clutter actually is a new social problem. For most of history (and in much of the world today), the challenge was to make do with not enough. But for many of us,…
Understanding the enemy and protecting yourself from Satan’s sneakiest trick
When we think of Satan, the first thing that usually comes to mind is how he tempts us to sin. He typically does this by dangling something evil in front of us, hoping that we’ll take the bait. Because he is so devious, however, the…
It’s not you, Lent, it’s me
Sometimes I feel like breaking up with Lent. (It’s not you, Lent … really, it’s me.) It’s not that Lent has done anything wrong (other than being demanding, relentlessly there every, single year, with no regard for my emotional state as I…
Ash Wednesday Gospel reflection: An outward sign of our faith
A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. (Psalm 51:12) Ash Wednesday, in all its solemnity and reverence, is one of my favorite religious days. I love the humble act of repentance, the cross formed by ashes…
Give up gossip for Lent — and for life
When I joined the seminary back in 2007, and rejoined in 2009, the community came together each morning and evening to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. After two psalms and a canticle are prayed, a brief reading from sacred Scripture is…
Understanding Lenten sacrifices
Each year our family begins Lent in the kitchen. My wife rolls out three long and thick strands of salt dough that she then braids together. Next she attaches one extremity of the dough creation to the other to form a circle. Then the fun…
Easter inspiration from Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI
The Lord is alive and wants to be sought among the living. After having found him, each person is sent out by him to announce the Easter message, to awaken and resurrect hope in hearts burdened by sadness, in those who struggle to find…
Good Friday Gospel reflection: We are forgiven!
“Then handed him over to them to be crucified” (John 19:16). There are at least a thousand lessons to be learned at Calvary, and then there are the mysteries beyond these lessons, which bring us to the shores of an endless sea. But in…
Holy Thursday Gospel reflection: How far is God willing to go for love?
Tonight we begin a journey that takes us from the table to the cross and onward to new life lived in the shadow of that cross and in the light of the Risen Son. And so we wash feet. What a strange time Jesus chose to wash feet — during…
