Dear Parishioners and Friends, It happens every year. When we get to the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, I wonder, "Why do we have a major feast day for this?" Include the date in a history book, yes. Celebrate the anniversary in Rome, yes. And, at the most, make it an optional memorial … [Read more...] about As living stones …
Word
Growing into childlike faith
Our goal is Christian maturity, which those in the Church Triumphant have fully attained. That is, they have finally grown up to be like children before the Father in heaven. Jesus tells us, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of … [Read more...] about Growing into childlike faith
How to increase confidence in prayer
Do you ever feel like you're asking God for a favor? There's little power in that kind of prayer. But I'm impressed by the words of the psalmist, repeated three times in our Sunday liturgy: "Arise, O God, plead thine own cause!" (Ps 74:22) The psalmist was suffering attacks as a representative of … [Read more...] about How to increase confidence in prayer
Long-term planning in the Spirit
Plan like you'll live a thousand years or as if you might die in a day--that's life in the Spirit. How can these two perspectives go together? It's good to plan for the long term, because as part of the Body of Christ, what you do to build the Kingdom can leave a legacy for many generations. But … [Read more...] about Long-term planning in the Spirit
What the asclepius means for you
Did you ever wonder what the universal medical symbol means? I'm thinking of the symbol that has one (or two) snakes wrapped around a staff--we see it on most ambulances and on other medical material. This is called an asclepius--named for the god of Greek mythology who became a … [Read more...] about What the asclepius means for you
Living Water in Lent
Was the prophecy of water flowing out of the temple ever fulfilled? Here's an important reading from Mass this week:The angel brought me, Ezekiel, back to the entrance of the temple of the LORD, and I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east.Wherever the river … [Read more...] about Living Water in Lent