Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus praises poverty, hunger, sadness, and rejection, but certainly not as ends in themselves; God does not take pleasure in our suffering; He uses it to awaken us to our need for him. Today the Gospel reminds us to allow everything - including our difficulties, disappointments, and unfulfilled desires - to turn our hearts to God and rely on his loving care.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The crippling effects of our sins are not the end.  By becoming aware of our sin - agonizing though this may be - we invite the Lord in. It's the crack in the door that he will enter,  bringing mercy and freedom found only in him. 

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

We can become discouraged, feeling that our prayers are unanswered or that a life devoted to Christ is too difficult. When these moments arise, consider the prophets Simeon and Anna, who gave their lives in quiet devotion, trusting in God's promises.  Pray Simeon's canticle, meditating on the glorious gift we have been given in our salvation, and the promise that even in the darkest of days a bright and shining light awaits us.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Like the faithful of Jerusalem who stood before the Water Gate (where life-giving water flowed into the holy city), who listened to God's word, heard it interpreted, knelt to worship, received a blessing, responded, "Amen," and then shared a communal meal, we do much the same, though the meal we share today is that of our Lord, who today and every day fulfills the hopes of the poor, the captive, the blind, and the oppressed.  Let us all respond, "Amen, amen!"

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus is the "Builder" of the universe, the Word through whom all things were created. Mary, whom Jesus calls "Woman," stands as a representative of the Church.  This image of God as Bridegroom of his people, common throughout the Old Testament, thus takes on its full significance in Christ.  He is the Bridegroom who will "wed" himself to his Church irrevocably when he offers his life for her on the cross.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

By making us part of God's family as his adopted children, our baptism summons us to "die" to our old life of sin and take on new life in Christ.  This means turning away each day from sin so we can become increasingly fit to spend eternity with God.  Like Jesus who rose both from the baptismal waters and from the tomb, we are meant, by our daily efforts to be faithful - to "rise" with him in the new life he won for us.   

Feast of the Epiphany

Like the wise men, we are on a pilgrimage filled with hope - and at times, fear and restlessness.  On this great feast, let us offer Jesus o ur treasure - our hearts - and, in return, he will give us the greatest gift of all:  himself.  

Feast of the Holy Family

A story in today's bulletin tells of a person helping a child get his model train back on track---by getting down on the floor  up close to the train to see what needed to be done.   This is a wonderful way to think about the birth of Jesus.  The human race had derailed and needed to be put back on the track of life.  It couldn't be done from above; God had to come down, to be beside us, to be with us.