The older I get the more I realize that some of the things my mother did that made me the most crazy were the ones that taught me the most. She would often get angry with us for not doing something around the house and say, “Do I have to tell you to do everything?”   As a child, at least in my head, I would respond, “yes.”    I thought that she had ( Read more... )

SCRIPTURE ( Read more... )

As I've said before, we Catholics don't choose the readings for Mass on a given day. They're all in the Lectionary on a three-year cycle, which was set down decades ago (I'm imagining somewhere around the 1960s, during Vatican II). That we would just happen to have the readings we did today, on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist ( Read more... )

 In the passage we have from Deuteronomy today, the people are given the instruction, "So you too must befriend the alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt." I have no intention here of wading into the immigration debate ( Read more... )

The rest is easy

We Americans are proud of our work ethic-perhaps too proud. We tend to value our work and busy-ness so much that we forget how to be still enough to hear God’s quiet voice. We need leisure- not frenetic vacationing or compulsive recreational activities but simple rest when we can unplug and think. Jesus says, “I will give you rest ( Read more... )

"Almighty, ever-living God, bring us to the joy of your heavenly city: so that we, your little flock, may follow where Christ, our Good Shepherd, has gone before us by the power of his resurrection. He lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen."

Baaah! I'm a little sheepy! Baaah! ^_^

Catechesis is one of the essential ministries of the church. We do it formally, for example, in religious education classes and the Rite of Christian Initiation and informally through daily interactions with others-our children, neighbors, and coworkers. It can, however, be discouraging work. Fortunately Saint Augustine offers some advice, ( Read more... )

Keep on coming back to GodThe life of a prophet is not easy. Jeremiah, in particular, wrestled mightily with his role as God’s messenger. He began by trying to get out of what he was being called to do: “I know not how to speak; I am too young” (1:6). During his lifetime Jeremiah endured beatings, torture, and imprisonment. He was even thrown into ( Read more... )

Take 5 For Faith
FEAST OF MARTIN I, POPE, MARTYR
God’s grace will be your guideStanding up for our values and our faith in God is never an easy thing to do. Sometimes our decisions can lead to justice and vindication and other times to suffering and death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who are celebrated in the Book of Daniel, though willing to ( Read more... )

Intention: Jesus, on this day we pray for Spiritual protection for the young people everywhere. May your blood cover them and protect them from the temptations and lies of the devil and may your angels guard them as they grow and develop. Frustrate any plans that Satan may have placed in their lives to hinder their walk with you. Amen

Scripture: 1 ( Read more... )