As we make our way through the first week of Advent, today’s readings all remind us of how the upcoming feast at Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ among us, is an incredible act of mercy on the part of God the Father. Mercy In the first reading,…
There is a statement in the first reading that, in my opinion, summarizes the theme of today’s readings and responsorial psalm: “And out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.” This reading is taken from the prophet Isaiah, and it describes the signs that will accompany…
O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; We bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light.. The Alleluia refrain today gives the best synopsis of the readings and…
In my life recently, I’ve noticed how much the Holy Mass has really become the focal point of my day. It’s the place where I get to unload the troubles, imperfections, and sins of my day. Further, it’s the place where I get to abandon it all. It’s the place…
The Lord praises the Father saying, “I give you praise Lord of Heaven and earth for you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned but have revealed them to these little ones” (Luke 10:21). He made this statement (of prayer) when the seventy-two returned from the mission…
The First Week of Advent always arrives with a quiet light of divine invitation, hope, and trust. This year, that light meets us through the shadow of a great loss. On Saturday at 6:17 p.m., the final hour of the last day of the liturgical year, our brother and friend, Paul…
It is with profound sorrow that I share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our president at Gratia Vobis Ministries, Paul Verderber. Paul died yesterday, Nov. 29, at 6:17 p.m., surrounded by his beloved wife, Mary Ann, their two daughters, Alice and Elisa, their husbands, and two grandchildren. He…
Bishop Barron Sunday homilies are one of my favorite podcasts. In one of his recent homilies, he discussed the Church’s emphasis on the end times as we approach the end of our liturgical year. He discussed the word, “apocalyptic,” in describing the readings at the end of the church year.…
The Last Judgment, 1534-41, Michelangelo[1] The Mass readings of this last week of the liturgical year might be frightening: see for instance the passages from the Book of Daniel or the words of our Lord himself. He has assured us, however, that we should not be afraid. The context of these…
During the end of Liturgical Year and beginning of Advent the readings focus on the end times. This is because the Church desires us to reflect both on the humble first coming of Christ as a baby as well as His glorious second coming as King and Judge. Death as…