The Magi, and The Extraordinary Hiding in the Ordinary
“The extraordinary is all around us, hidden within the ordinary.” The Magi The Magi, the mysterious gift bringers of the Gospel according to Matthew, have long captivated the public imagination. Who were they? Were they kings? Where did they come from? Even their very existence is called into question althoughContinue Reading
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and Faith
“At the core of the family is faith” The Faith of Joseph Through the seasons of Advent and Christmas we focus much on Jesus and Mary. It was through Mary’s fiat that Jesus came into the world, fulfilling God’s plan to save us from the ravages of sin and death.Continue Reading
The Pope, The Ceiling, and Thinking Small
“We are called to think big, to think beyond the need that we see immediately before us” A Limited Vision The 1965 film “The Agony and the Ecstasy,” wherein Pope Julius II clashes with Michelangelo, is a wonderful reflection on faith, inspiration, and the trap of thinking small. For artistsContinue Reading
The Monastery, The Messiah, and the Light in the Darkness
“The Light of the World walks among us and we do not recognize Him” The Monastery There was once a monastery tucked deep back into a forest, far off the beaten path. The monastery had a reputation for being a place of peace and tranquility. An oasis of calm inContinue Reading
Into the Wilderness
“To go out into the wilderness is to leave behind our attachment to our everyday world.” Why the wilderness? The Lost Inca City Back in the “golden age” of archaeology (think Indiana Jones,) an archaeologist set off for South America to track down a “lost” Inca city. It wasn’t reallyContinue Reading
Advent and Washington Crossing the Delaware
“our primary work then is to preach the Gospel, if we do this well, the rest will follow.” What is this time of Advent truly about? A Revolutionary War Lesson During the revolutionary war, a spy, loyal to the British cause, learned that Washington had crossed the Delaware River duringContinue Reading
See How They Love One Another
“In the final accounting it will all come down to whether or not we have learned the true meaning of love.” The Seven Works of Mercy In 1607 the church of Pio Monte della Misericordia in Naples approached the Renaissance painter Caravaggio about a commission. They asked for a seriesContinue Reading
How To Use Your Gifts
“Each sings a song, and helps to make music for the world.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta What is the purpose of the gifts, talents, and abilities that have been bestowed upon us? Saint Teresa of Calcutta was once staying with a community of sisters working with the Aborigines of Australia.Continue Reading
The Connection That All Christians Share
“through baptism we are connected to the entire body of Christ, all Christians living and dead.” A Lesson by Niggle In January of 1945 J.R.R. Tolkien published a short story titled “Leaf by Niggle.” It is a symbolic story about our purpose in life. In the story, Niggle is anContinue Reading
The Celebration of All Hallows
“today we honor all those who, externally, lived ordinary lives.” The Spiritual War We are engaged in a war here on earth. The prophet Job tells us, “The life of man upon earth is warfare.” We are constantly faced with obstacles and obstructions to peace, happiness, and justice. In recentContinue Reading