The people ask John the Baptist “What should we do?” I imagine they got the answers they didn’t want to hear. They were to do more than they really wanted to do. Soldiers and tax collectors were told to do their job justly and be satisfied with what they got.

This hymn is captivating in its haunting melody. (I’d love to have it sung at my funeral.) The verses refer to the O Antiphons, such as Key of Knowledge and Root of Jesse. The most prayerful part is the refrain: “For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits. Truly

December is a month of anticipation and waiting. This leads to questions like “What do we anticipate?” and “How do we wait?” For us Christians we wait for more than a day; we await a Person—Jesus Christ reigning in glory. We prepare the way of the Lord, which adds another

A hymn appropriate for Advent and any feast of Mary, especiallythe Annunciation on March 25, is “No Wind at the Window.” Much more than a meteorologicalstatement, the hymn describes the Angel Gabriel coming to Mary in silence andmystery in Nazareth. The angel pleads “Don’t hide from my face. Be glad

Have you noticed the pattern in Biblical annunciation stories? A woman is barren, an angel appears, the woman is told not to fear, a name is given to the future child, and the woman conceives. The annunciation of Angel Gabriel to Mary continues the pattern but is significantly different. Mary,

Recent weeks may have been stressful for you as divisionhampers “e pluribus unum.” Division, however, never wins; eventually unity risesvictorious. Every night those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours pray Mary’sMagnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” A modern version ofMary’s song is “Canticle of the Turning”

Spirituality is a way of seeing life and living it. One of many ways to see life and live it is seeing and living that is rooted in liturgy, the Mass, sacraments, and Church Year. Liturgical spirituality is based on our identity as the Body of Christ and living according

Are you binge watching Hallmark movies? Are predictable tear-jerkers a way to relax after a day of frantic Christmas shopping? Are the movies a welcome relief from news channels? Do you find relief from Hallmark after reading the Church’s lectionary readings? What? What! In late November and some days in

Several Advent hymns use the word “Maranatha” such as “Maranatha, LordMessiah” by Kathy Powell and “Maranatha, Come” by Francis Patrick O’Brien.” Theword “Maranatha” is derived from two Aramaic words for “Lord” and “come,” thus wesing “Come, Lord Jesus.” Once you hear the refrains of these two hymns, theywill stick in

Our backyard is bordered by a wood fence and gates. Until recently the cornfield on the other side was almost hidden by prodigious growth—wild, straggly, and shamefully allowing an invasive species. After much toil and time, the undesirable parts are cleared. The corn has also been picked. No longer can