How many of us live the way God intended for us to live? How often do we do what is easy instead of what is right? Do we even notice the slow death of our spiritual lives as we engage in sinful behavior? Saint Paul was set apart, in hisContinue Reading
The Annunciation, the moment the angel Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary, is usually celebrated on March 25. This year, because March 25 fell on Good Friday, it was moved to the first Monday after the Easter Octave, today, April 4. In honor of the day I offer a samplingContinue Reading
Devout people of the Jewish faith are expected to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem at least once in their lives. Hindus annually descend upon the Ganges River for Kumbh Mela. And the Islamic Hajj dictates that all Muslims must visit Mecca if at all possible. But Christians do not believeContinue Reading
Too often, our prayer is self-centered rather than God-centered. It becomes all about us, our needs, our wants and our desires, rather than what God wants of us. This is not how we were taught to pray. Saint Paul reminds us that our prayer should not be a litany ofContinue Reading
Icon of Saint Francis of Assisi, commissioned by the Franciscan Monastery, Washington D.C.Continue Reading
Paul’s comments on love are given in the context of justice. His words preceding today’s readings tell us “Pay to all their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, toll to whom toll is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.” (Romans 13:7).Continue Reading
In ancient times inexplicable events were attributed to the actions of spirits, angels or demons. Traditionally, Saint Gabriel, the angel of the Annunciation, communicates God’s will to us. Through Saint Raphael we may experience God’s healing and guidance, and Saint Michael the Archangel offers us God’s protection. These days thatContinue Reading
Icon of Saint Anthony of Padua, commissioned by the Franciscan Monastery, Washington D.C. Continue Reading
Between the great empires of Rome and Persia, in ancient Mesopotamia, Ephrem was born in the city Nisibis. The preaching of Saint Jacob, Bishop of Nisibis, drew Ephrem to the Faith as a moth to a flame and he was baptized in his eighteenth year. He grew in learning andContinue Reading
We continue to suffer in this world because how we respond to our suffering matters greatly in the eyes of God. It is an opportunity for us to grow in our faith. Do we turn away from Him in anger and resentment? Or do we turn toward Him forContinue Reading