Daily Reflections
As we draw close to Christmas, we anticipate, as our First Reading proclaims, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel” (Isa. 7:14). Some biblical scholars are quick to argue that the Hebrew word sometimes rendered “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14 is alma, which, strictly…
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There are striking similarities in today’s spiritual offerings. Angelic messengers bear gladtidings to barren couples proclaiming the miraculous birth of sons. Said sons are choseninstruments for deliverance of their nation into a people fit for God. In the midst of ourinnate human tendencies of disbelief and skepticism, God makes allowances…
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Discerning good from evil, right from wrong, the essential from the useless, has not been an easy task for many people. The need for “wide-ranging” discernment affects every human being, committed to seeking motivation, to making choices not only in view of immediate well-being, but also to give meaning to…
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My grandmother shared with the family, one summer, our family genealogy. I’m not sure how she went about collecting all the information, but it was a project she undertook over several years. All this was done before programs like ancestory.com existed. I’m American, so from my perspective, there were some…
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“Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.” -Isaiah 56:1 About to come…About to be revealed… Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? It should! Get excited. This is a call to wake up! Isaiah’s words are a call to…
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Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Hope in God’s Promises In the first reading, Isaiah gives a message of faith and hope for the desolate children of God. The barren one and the deserted…
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John the Baptist’s Confusion Of all the things for the greatest prophet to be confused about, John is confused about the identity of the Messiah. He is confused about Christ. Certainly, while in prison, John received reports about what Jesus was saying and doing. Some of it seemed right –…
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One of the fascinating and beautiful aspects of the Feast of Nativity is the symbolism of light. Most cities and villages are already shining, especially at night. These lights and decorations remind all, (believers and non-believers), that we are approaching the season of festivities. For us Christians, the symbolism of…
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Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in Mexico in 1531 as the pregnant mother of the Son of God, Jesus the Christ. She appeared to Juan Diego, a simple widower, who is now the first canonized saint indigenous to the Americas. The Virgin Mary holds a special place in the Mexican…
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“Actions Speak Louder than Words.” If I had a dollar for every time my mother said this phrase growing up, we would all be going out for a steak dinner. She said it so often that it is part of me now. One can talk all he likes, but if…
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