Today’s title has been blithely borrowed from a favorite saint; it is one of St. Augustine’s more famous quotes. The theme of choosing life over death is highlighted in all of the readings on tap for today. If we reduce the Commandments to the Golden Rule, we are left with…
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The first line of the first reading is an appropriate start to Lent. Today, Ash Wednesday, begins our Lenten journey to Easter. “Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God” Joel 2:12.…
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Today’s gospel from Mark is the account when the disciples are with Jesus in a boat and realize they have forgotten their bread. They become distressed at this realization and Jesus warns them; and reminds them of what they have been through together. Guard Yourselves Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out,…
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The Lord sighs. In today’s Gospel, we are introduced to the Pharisees, who attempt to trap Jesus by seeking grounds to accuse Him. They request a sign from Jesus. Like them, we sometimes seek signs from above to better understand our circumstances or make wise decisions. We often look for…
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Today’s readings lead us to reflect on the theme of the “law of the Lord,” as the refrain of the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 118) reminds us, “Blessed are those who walk in the law of the Lord.” A fundamental instrument to observe any law is wisdom, not that of the…
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As the New Year feeling of January wears off and February brings us Valentine’s Day, it is a time to reflect on how we think about love and the role it plays in our lives. How can those who are celebrating look at their celebration from another perspective? And how…
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Dear Brothers and Sisters, today’s Scripture readings take us to the deep reason why humanity continues to suffer division and brokenness. Surely, we experience moments of graces and of divine presence. But we also realize that our personal and collective lives carry the marks of broken promises and unfaithfulness to…
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Today is the optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes. Many pilgrims from all over the world travel to this French town to ask for Mary’s intercession for their own healing or that of others. And Jesus himself in the Gospel reveals himself as the source of all…
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Churches have had a way of following me throughout my youth. In the years before my conversion, our family moved through several different towns, and oddly enough, near each home there was always a church. Our drives home from school were always marked by the presence of a church. Here…
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Today’s readings awaken the primordial longing in humanity to dwell in the presence of God. At Eden, God raised a virgin garden where the human intimate desire to abide in God’s presence was nurtured. As an unweaned baby found bliss in its mother’s bosom, so Adam’s prenuptial yearnings found fulfillment…
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