Ponder with me the wonder of words and language. Through the gift of speech, we can verbally articulate and share with others the thoughts in our minds and the feelings in our hearts.
Category: Bishop Hying’s Columns
Hope and help for the spiritual battle
Even a cursory read of the Gospels illuminates the struggle between Jesus Christ and Satan from the very beginning of the Lord’s advent into human history. Even as a newborn child, Jesus is perceived as a threat by King Herod who seeks to destroy Him. Immediately after His Baptism, Jesus experiences the temptations of the devil in the wilderness.
Jubilee Year of Hope: Inspiration for the youth
Every recent Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church, celebrated every 25 years, witnessed significant events that lifted up the beauty and truth of our faith, canonized new saints, or animated the evangelizing mission of the Gospel.
Catholic schools: Building a brighter future
Once a month during this Jubilee Year, I will reflect in this column on some part of the Church’s mission which offers hope to the world. When we are intent on living out the teachings of Christ, God uses our efforts to bring salvation and hope to others, especially those who live in situations without love, peace, purpose, or the necessary means to achieve a dignified existence.
Messiah, the Messiah, and the message
I am currently reading a fascinating book, Every Valley: The Desperate Lives and Troubled Times that made Handel’s Messiah by Charles King, which narrates both the complex history and the enduring legacy of one of the most popular musical masterpieces.
Finding peace through Christ
One of my favorite prayers is this from St. Francis de Sales: “Be at peace. Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”
The meaning of Christmas
Both in its theological depth and poetic prose, Preface I of Advent expresses beautifully the meaning of Christmas.
Advent, Christmas, and the journey
As the wonder of Christmas fast approaches, the Fourth Sunday of Advent presents us with the Gospel scene of the Visitation — Mary immediately making haste to share the joyful news of the Incarnation of God in her womb with her beloved cousin Elizabeth who herself is pregnant with John the Baptist.
Continuing the walk with prayer
If you practice the Catholic faith and have a loving and living relationship with Jesus, various people in your life have prayed for you to be where you spiritually are.
Bringing Christ to others during Advent
In the annual autumn meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) this month, we bishops voted to set the national priorities for 2025-2028, as guideposts for our pastoral work.