A New Way of Saying Who We Catholics Are
The Most Reverent Charles Jason Gordon wrote a very insightful article in the April 2025 issue of America. I hope you’ll read it. Reminding us of the four marks of the Church, (one, holy, Catholic, apostolic) he discusses the four “marks” of the synodal Church he observed at the Synod on Synodality. They are relating, […]
Advent Isn’t the Only Season of Waiting
The key word in Advent is “wait.” We wait for Santa, loved Nativity stories, the first snowfall, Advent calendars’ last doors—and the final ribbon on the last package. While we wait, our days (sometimes as few as 21) are so filled that we really don’t wait. We rush. But Lent takes forever. Marking the halfway […]
Make Sure You Look Good on Wood
Daniel Berrigan quipped “Before you get serious about Jesus, first consider how good you are going to look on wood!” When teaching high school students, I used this line during Lent. Adolescents, as you know, are very conscious of their looks. Already on Ash Wednesday, some were worried about the ashen smudge on their foreheads. […]
The Cross—The Symbol that Crystallizes All Jesus’ Teaching
I am re-reading Ron Rolheiser’s book The Passion and the Cross this Lent. Each page prepares me to listen to the Passion Narratives read during Holy Week with more intent. Called “the ultimate revelation of God,” the cross will tell us who God is. What does the cross reveal about God? When Jesus Christ died, […]
“Let It Be Done to Me”
We know that Mary told the Angel Gabriel when asked to be the mother of the Son of God Most High, “Let it be done to me as you say” (Lk 1:38). While such a response emanated from the depths of Mary’s spirituality, I wonder whether this was a frequent response in less serious matters. […]
So, You Want to Be Part of the Glory?
I’m already looking forward to Easter, so late in April this year. But now is the time to focus on the Passion of Jesus Christ. Do I believe Jesus’ cause, loving neighbors and enemies, is more important than anything else? No one is spared suffering, so we offer to God our little pinpricks—those hourly inconveniences, […]
Spring Equinox Lurks
The first rays of dawn revealed a mountain range that had not existed the night before. The image was something totally new—snow-capped hills like the foothills of the Rockies. Was I awakening in a cabin in Glacier National Park? I had seen this morning sky years ago when mountains were a novel sight to this […]
From Paczki to Easter Eggs
We may be wondering about the price of eggs. Perhaps this year it will be more economical to fill plastic eggs with dollar bills. But I’m not talking here about the price of eggs. The customs of Lent vary greatly depending upon the century. Even the length of Lent has seen differences in the number […]
You Can’t Do It Alone
John the Baptist did something entirely new. His name “Baptist” or “Baptizer” proves it. The word literally means one who “immerses in” or “submerges.” The dunking had nothing to do with common Jewish practices of ritual purity done by the individual. It was an entirely new way. John’s symbolic action meant to protect against final […]
They Could Have Been in Historical Novels
I love reading historical novels. Even though the characters are fictional, the setting, the dialogue, the plot give credibility. I feel the reality of history. I wonder if many of our ancestors could be characters in novels. Do you have a story like this one in your family background? My great-great grandmother brought eight children […]
