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.
Tag: column
In God We Trust
Welcome to a brand-new year. We’re two weeks into it (as of this writing), and all seems to be going according to Hoyle by my metrics: Snow on the ground, ice on the side roads, a wind chill or two that has reached subzero.
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.”
Rest in Our Lord so He can rest in us
In our front garden stands a skinny Japanese maple tree, currently covered in bright white lights for the Christmas season.
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.
My quiet strength
I’ve been working my way through one of the loveliest Advent prayer and meditation guides I’ve encountered in years: Behold, by Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT.
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.
A visit from St. Nicholas*, revisited
Dear Readers, in case some of you are fact-checking, I will confess that for the first time ever I’ve succumbed to the use of hyperbole here and there in this column, but only because I wanted to make sure my message was clear — we must all avoid the perils of pursuing perfectionism lest we trade Spirit for spirit.