Signs and Wonders

Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc.

A New Heavens and a New Earth In some parts of the world, this Lenten season is heralded by the glory of blossoms and flowering trees. The air becomes warmer, and the daylight lasts longer. In other parts, the signs of spring are hidden beneath snow and ice, waiting to be revealed. Mornings are still…

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An Imperishable Inheritance

Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc.

The Ultimate Goal Today’s readings take us to a glimpse of our own ultimate goal as we consider the story of the young man who is attracted to Jesus but in the end, cannot summon the courage to follow Him. The man asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus refers him to…

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The Harvest of Love

Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc.

Recently this prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours for Sunday struck me: Almighty and ever-present Father, your watchful care reaches from end to end and orders all things in such power that even the tensions and the tragedies of sin cannot frustrate your loving plans. God’s Inexorable Plan The first reading, with its story…

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In God There Is No Darkness at All

Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc.

A Voice Was Heard in Ramah The story of King Herod’s rampage against the young boys of Bethlehem calls to mind comparisons with the abortion holocaust (62.5 million and counting in the U.S. alone). Christ’s vulnerability is striking, and it is also striking that His Father does not resort to a supernatural rescue. The safety…

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Keep the Fire Burning

Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc.

Signs in the Sun and Moon There is a moment in Cormac McCarthy’s dystopian novel The Road when a character says, “Keep a little fire burning; however small, however hidden.” Like the depictions of hell in Dante’s Inferno, it is not hard to picture what the Apocalypse might entail. In fact, in today’s Gospel, Jesus…

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Laying the Foundation

Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc.

St. Paul speaks to us today of the structure of which we are all invited to be a part: “You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, build upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself…

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Going Up to Jerusalem

Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc.

For me, the most striking part of today’s readings are these lines: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard…

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The Use of Talents – Three Examples

Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc.

The readings for today speak of fraternal charity and developing into fullness the “talents” given us by God. I have had reason to reflect on the multiplication of gifts recently because of several joyful occasions to which we have been present. In a local parish, the community celebrated the completion of a major construction project.…

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A Parable About Treasure

Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc.

The Gospel for today speaks of finding a treasure or a “pearl of great price.” The finder has to recognize it as such. And then keep the knowledge to himself, at least for a while. He relinquishes everything he has to possess the treasure. He lets go of everything else to take hold of the…

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