Context: Jonah attempted to frustrate God’s mission to obtain Nineveh’s repentance by jumping off the ship that was transporting him there. Jonah was swallowed by a large fish (sea monster), regretted his disobedience, and called out to God, Who then commanded the fish to spew Jonah out. God then reinstated…
Lent should be, first of all, a time of prayer, and the Church immediately wants to show us the prayer that should be our model: the one that Jesus taught his disciples to lead them into the New Way (or if you like religion) he brought. What is absolutely new…
What does mercy look like in real life? If we are honest with ourselves, to be merciful does not often come naturally to the human heart. Indeed, a glance at ancient literature reveals no heroes of mercy, but rather men who dealt out justice and revenge. Mercy does not emerge…
Invariably on my trips to DC I can see someone holding a sign that says, “Jesus Saves.” This time around (today) it was a lady bundled up in a winter jacket waving a flag with words “Jesus Saves.” One half of my brain is in admiration for her sheer commitment…
Today, the first reading and the gospel offer us insight into some of the right conduct for spiritual renewal in our journey of faith. The readings focus on true righteousness, repentance, and empathy. The first reading presents Isaiah 58:9b-14 on the promises of God to those who would embark on…
Against any who would assert that fasting is not necessary in the New Covenant, we have the clear words of our Lord, “When you fast” and “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” It is plain to see from these…
The fate of man is depressing but at the same time impressive. He is subject to corruption and yet a child of immortality. He stands astride the two great divides of mortality and immortality. Man is born into this world at a particular time in history. He knows that he…
Today we celebrate Ash Wednesday. With today’s liturgy, the universal Church starts, once again, the journey of Lent. I must admit that, growing up, Lent for me was just a season in which we were supposed to give something up (like chocolates, sweets, pastries, or something like that), make sacrifices…
In today’s Gospel, our Lord is teaching us about Free Will and how we can use it to live a life with God. The Psalm so eloquently says at the end: “from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom, you will ring me round. Let the just…
A number of years ago, a young girl recounted her fascination with ripped jeans. She had her own pair she bought for full price at Target. It baffled her brother as to why someone would go to the store and pay good money for a pair of ripped jeans. “But…