Living with Christ

“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…

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Sainthood can be easily dismissed as an impossible lifestyle far beyond our reach. After all, most of us do not wear sackcloth, pray 10 hours a day, start…

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…

The Bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States are calling for a Eucharistic Revival across the nation. This three-year initiative will have many components both local and national. The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body…

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever. (Daniel 3:56) During my childhood, we lived in the countryside in a house set on top of a hill. Sometimes in the middle of the night, my father would shake us…

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. As a parent, I am constantly reminded of the dangers facing my children today: careless or distracted drivers; unsafe or unhealthy foods; diseases and superbugs; bullies, predators,…

He took a towel and tied it around his waist. (John 13:4) After my mother died we divvied up her things. One thing I wanted badly was one of her aprons. You know the kind: large bib, long strings, and at least one pocket. Now every time I…

‘Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.' Then Judas,
 his betrayer, said in reply, ‘Surely it is not I, Rabbi?’ (Matthew 26:24-25). Two awed apostles, two different…

‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ (John 13:27) Humans instinctively seek to preserve their lives. We marvel and give honors to persons who put their life in jeopardy to save another. Jesus steps out of the very human pattern of…

Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair. (John 12:3) Many years ago, I remember passing a florist shop and thinking, “Wouldn’t it be great to give…