Fr Joshua J. Whitfield Jer 33:14-16 Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 1 Thes 3:12—4:2 Lk 21:25-28, 34-36 Aside from being one of the fathers of monasticism, St Benedict is also one of the more profound spiritual doctors of Advent. At least I have long considered him thus. I think of him every Advent…
The opening pages of the Bible offer us a series of stories set at the beginning of history which are meant to explain why the world today is as it is. The Adam and Eve story about original sin is one of those stories. There are others. These stories, because they use imagery that might…
Saint of the week St Columbanus, also known as St Columban, was a prominent figure in early Irish monasticism who later became a missionary to continental Europe during the early Middle Ages. Born in 543 in Leinster, Ireland, Columbanus was well-educated from an early age. Being a handsome man, he was troubled by intense…
Some years ago, a friend was facing the birth of her first child. While happy that she was soon to be a mother, she confessed openly her fears about the actual birth-process, the pain, the dangers, the unknown. But she consoled herself with the thought that hundreds of millions of women have experienced giving birth…
Sunday Gospel Dn 7:13-14 Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5 Rv 1:5-8 Jn 18:33b-37 One thing is clear from this Sunday’s gospel: Pontius Pilate is a man looking for answers. All of what he has to say in this passage from John is offered in the form of a question. “Are you the King of…
The religion of Christ is love,” said St Teresa of Calcutta. Lord, we forget sometimes that love of You is the essence of our religion. It is the first and greatest of all commands… ‘To love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul mind and strength.’ This is why we are created,…
The Sunday Gospel Dn 12:1-3 Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 Heb 10:11-14, 18 Mk 13:24-32 Fr Joshua J. Whitfield Jesus is on the “Mount of Olives opposite the temple area” talking about the end of the world (Mk 13:3). That’s significant because according to prophecy it is from the Mount of Olives that the…
St Teresa of Avila said, ‘Prayer is friendly conversation with the One by whom I know I am loved.’ It is precious, this friendly conversation with You. To talk face to face with God. Are we qualified? We are poor and fragile. Are we good enough? I can’t even open my lips to pray unless…
The Solemnity of Christ the King, instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, emerged amid a post-war Europe facing political disruption, where ideologies like fascism, socialism, and communism were spreading, challenging traditional structures and values. This feast was intended to reaffirm the kingship of Christ as an authority above all worldly powers, reminding the faithful…
Christine Mako Many are familiar with the story of Judith. She is one of the well-known Biblical women, renowned for her courage in helping rescue the Israelites from the Assyrians. With her virtue and trust in God, she was able to deliver the head of Holofernes, the leader of the Assyrian army, to her people,…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Renata Milán Morales