Posts by Fr. Marcelo Javier Navarro Muñoz, IVE
A Forgotten Devotion…?
“Devotion to St. Joseph was a hallmark of St. Teresa of Avila. Teresa attributed her miraculous cure to Saint Joseph. When she was living in the Incarnation Convent in Avila, she was struck with an ailment that left her half-dead. She was paralyzed and was presumed dead at one point. She prayed and prayed to…
Read MoreCreated in the “Image and Likeness” of God
In recent weeks the readings from Mass have provided extensive passages from the book of Genesis. The one that caught my attention again, and obviously (perhaps) more than the rest, was the story of the creation of human beings in the image and likeness of God. My memory took me to the Catechism which tells…
Read MoreI believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church
On his first catechesis on the Church, Pope John Paul II recalls that “the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed says: “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” This creed, like its antecedent, the Apostles’ Creed, straightaway connects the truth about the Church with the Holy Spirit: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church.”…
Read MoreAdvent- Christmas and the Presence of Mary1
It is difficult, if not impossible, to prepare for the coming of Christ during Advent and to celebrate Christmas without a true devotion to Mary. The Liturgy of the Catholic Church offers two opportunities during December to honor our Blessed Mother, that is, the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. And the first day…
Read MoreJesus Christ King of the Universe1
When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel. (2 Sam 5: 3) Writing about the saints of the Old Testament, Archbishop Fulton Sheen says that “David was the forerunner of Our Lord’s Kingship.” After…
Read MoreFeast of St. Matthew
When I think of the feast of St. Matthew, I am immediately drawn back to Caravaggio’s painting located at the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, which I visited recently, again, with some friends from the United States. I will not repeat myself here, but I would like to reflect on an aspect…
Read MoreMary’s Assumption into Heaven. Our assumption into Heaven?
This short reflection was inspired by John Paul II’s Wednesday audience on Psalm 44, “Listen, O daughter!”1 The liturgical celebration of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother into Heaven took place a few days ago on August 15. Precisely, just in the middle of the month, her Solemnity stands, or so it should, as a…
Read MoreBlessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. (Mt 11: 25)
The word of God is a treasure which offers abundant material for personal meditation. For example, today’s first reading from the prophet Jeremiah could guide us to reflect on the soul as bride of the Lord God, the divine Spouse; the responsorial psalm on the mercy and justice of God, as well as on Him…
Read MoreA Fathomless and Shoreless Ocean
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” (Mt 7, 14) On June 21, the liturgy celebrates the…
Read MoreRaised with Christ, We Seek What is Above
What is the Joyful Message of Easter? The joyful message of Easter is captured by today’s psalm antiphon: “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy,” (Ps 100). The Easter Season will end soon but its effects should remain embedded in our daily attitudes and prayer. Having lived the spiritual joy of the…
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