Yesterday we began the celebration of the second stage of Advent. These final days of preparation help us to focus on the joy of the historical birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. The Gospels insert...
Today you might ask a new neighbor or a new parishioner, “Where are you from?” It is a normal question. Growing up in the South it was equally likely for someone to ask, “Who are your people?”...
In this time of advent, time of waiting, the Word of God comes to us speaking of one city and two sons. We are given these images as a call to true waiting – change, repentance, conversion. The...
In today’s Gospel Jesus’ authority is questioned and challenged. Jesus, a layman, has just performed a prophetic action in the Temple: “Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those engaged...
As we all learned in grade school in the USA, the Spaniards arrived in the new world in 1492. They attempted to establish settlements and colonies throughout the Caribbean Islands, Santo Domingo,...
In today’s Responsorial Psalm we proclaim: “The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.” These words are taken from Psalm 145. These words and this psalm remind us that...
Jesus issues a personal invitation to each of us today. We hear this invitation in the words of today’s Gospel: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my...
Isaiah certainly has away with words. In the first reading for today’s Mass, Isaiah describes mountains being leveled, valleys being filled, and rough places being made smooth. It is a complete...
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This feast is a celebration of Mary who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus and therefore the mother of God. This message is...
In today’s reading from Isaiah, we hear a beautiful vision: “The deaf shall hear… the eyes of the blind shall see… the lowly will find joy in the Lord.” These words are full of hope, and we rightly...
