Ghosts, giant skeletons, bubbling cauldrons, and tombstones litter front lawns this time of year, transforming quiet suburban neighborhoods into the stuff of nightmares, all playfully done in anticipation of Halloween. But not everything is fun and games. In fact, there is in our culture rapidly growing interest in spiritual practices that tap into dark powersContinue reading “The First Commandment in the New Age”
Category Archives: Christ
Be Little, Trust, and Don’t Worry
The second reading at last weekend’s Masses began with St. Paul’s exhortation: “Brothers and sisters, have no anxiety at all, but in everything… make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.” St. Paul’s words express the theme of much of what tookContinue reading “Be Little, Trust, and Don’t Worry “
Why Christ is on the Cross
This Monday (9/14) is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The cross is the symbol of Christianity because it is by Our Lord’s cross and resurrection that we have been saved and liberated from the power of sin and death. Recently, I was asked by a gentleman who attends an Evangelical congregationContinue reading “Why Christ is on the Cross “
A Marian Summer
The great Marian feast of summer is the Assumption, August 15. Normally, the Assumption is a holy day of obligation. But because it falls on a Saturday this year, the obligation is lifted. Perhaps we can treat this as reason to use the next several weeks to give extra consideration to the Blessed Mother’s roleContinue reading “A Marian Summer “
Heart of Jesus
There is a small town in Italy called Lanciano where, in the year 750, a priest was experiencing intense doubts about the Eucharist as he was saying Mass. Even as he prepared to say Christ’s words of institution, he found it impossible to believe that the elements of bread and wine could turn into the living Body, Blood, Soul, andContinue reading “Heart of Jesus “
We Worship a Working Man
In recent months there have been many reports about what seems to be a growing interest in Catholicism among young people. Catholic campus ministries across the country received a record number of students into the Catholic Church this Easter. Several parishes in New York City have “standing room only” at Masses attended by young professionals searching for God (and perhaps a spouse). This is certainly a welcome development. But in a recent article featured in The NationalContinue reading “We Worship a Working Man “
“He is Risen”
On Easter Sunday, 20 years ago, Pope Benedict XVI gave his first Easter Urbi et Orbi speech to the city of Rome and to the world, following the tradition established by his predecessors. From the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, he repeated to the crowds the words of the angel to the women who went to Our Lord’s tomb the morning of thatContinue reading ““He is Risen” “
“Follow My Voice”
This weekend, a historic event took place not far from where we live. Archbishop Ronald Hicks was installed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral as the 11th Archbishop of New York, taking over from his immediate predecessor, Timothy Cardinal Dolan. Cardinal Dolan served in that role for almost 17 years, one year longer than another great man of the Church, John Cardinal O’Connor, who served as Archbishop ofContinue reading ““Follow My Voice” “
To Whom Do We Belong?
As anyone who follows current events knows, the city of Minneapolis has been at the center of conflict between the federal government and local officials over the enforcement of federal immigration laws. In the past few weeks, two protesters have been shot and killed by federal law enforcement officers, incidents which have brought tensions there to a boiling point. The conflict is inflamed byContinue reading “To Whom Do We Belong? “
Christ, the Open Door
On December 25, 2024, Pope Francis gave his final Christmas address to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. In it, he referred to the beginning of the Jubilee Year and the opening of the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s. The Holy Pontiff spoke of the symbolic meaning of the open doors, through which millions of pilgrims would pass through overContinue reading “Christ, the Open Door “
