St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians are the earliest record of Christian men and women voluntarily foregoing marriage “for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven,” as Our Lord Himself suggested. Nearly two thousand years later, God is still calling people to this special state of life, one that is focused on becoming “holy in body and in spirit.”
Read MorePope Francis has declared this the “Sunday of the Word of God” – a special time to study the Scriptures and grow in our love for them. This theme inspired the first part of our sharing for this week, as we pondered how each of the readings emphasizes the power of God’s Word in our lives and in salvation history.
Read More“Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon …’” What was this “look” of Jesus like? What did the future head of the Apostles see in the eyes of the Incarnate Word on that fateful day? What love, what eagerness was in Jesus’ Heart as He saw the glorious future in store for the simple fisherman before Him!
Read MoreThe little Virgin of Nazareth’s heart is pounding, but not with fear. Rather, she is struck with awe at the work of the Lord being revealed to her. By His mercy – His mercy alone! – she has become the site of pilgrimage for the firstfruits of the Gentiles.
Read MoreIn the season of Advent, we are called to enter mystically into the faithful Jews’ experience of waiting and trusting in God’s faithfulness. This applies not only to our preparation for Christmas, but most especially to our anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ, the ultimate hope of our faith.
Read MoreOur whole life as Christians could be described as “already, but not yet” – of rejoicing in salvation already wrought, while still looking expectantly for its completion. And while sorrow is an inescapable reality in this life, the comfort that God so joyously proclaims through Isaiah truly does penetrate even the darkest hour.
Read MoreOur sharing this Sunday began with a question about our Gospel reading. A Sister noted that only one person in the “mini-parable” of the man on a journey is actually commanded to watch, and that person is the gatekeeper. So, the question naturally arises: who is the gatekeeper?
Read MoreOnce we have faithfully supplied what little we can to feed our lamp, then we can “sleep” with confidence that our Father will provide for us in the midst of our weakness.
Read More“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind … you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But what exactly is love?
Read MoreGod can and does make use of everything and everyone in accomplishing His loving Will! St. Paul of the Cross often exhorted his spiritual directees to “take everything directly from the hands of a loving God.” Even in adverse circumstances, He is working for our good!
Read MoreThe First Reading from Ezekiel and the Gospel from Matthew have the same overarching message: God sees us as we are, not as we were.
Read MoreThe Apostles themselves are certainly the first “laborers in the vineyard,” yet they must not for that reason consider themselves superior. They must, rather, be prepared to rejoice in God’s equal generosity with those who are not called to such strenuous labors on behalf of the Kingdom of God.
Read MoreWriting as he is to potential martyrs, the Apostle wants to instill in them – and in us! – what the saints have often called “holy indifference.” That is, we can be at peace and even joyful in both good and bad circumstances, since we see in all of them the will of our Heavenly Father Whom we trust with all our hearts.
Read MoreIt is the Passionists’ particular mission in the Church, as well as our great joy, to teach people in our deeply wounded world how their pain has meaning when united with the Passion of Christ
Read More“The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” On the one hand, this could be seen as an assurance that the Church will have impregnable defenses against the Evil One. In the other hand, it could mean that the powers of darkness will be unable to resist when the Church goes on the offense!
Read More“It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” What on earth could have prompted Jesus to respond in such an uncharacteristic fashion?
Read MoreAt first glance, St. Peter’s “bid me come to You on the water” in today’s Gospel seems like a crazy request. Should he, storm-tossed and terrified, be asking to leave behind the last scrap of safety he has by stepping out of the boat?
Read MoreNot only are we searching for God, but He is searching for us! And if we “sell everything we have” to embrace the Kingdom, it is only because He first “sold everything” in the Incarnation and Redemption to purchase the priceless “pearl” that is each human soul!
Read MoreThe complexity of the human heart means that our ability and willingness to receive the Word vary tremendously.
Read MoreAt first glance, today’s readings can seem a bit intimidating – persecution, betrayal, fear, and “fiery Gehenna!” A closer look, however, reveals some beautiful lessons about how to endure suffering in this life with peace and even joy.
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