In today’s Gospel we read of the birth of John the Baptist. Isn’t it odd that when Elizabeth’s neighbors and relatives gathered on the eighth day for the baby’s circumcision that they had already chosen a name for him? My wife and I have four kids and we didn’t let our neighbors and relatives pick [...]
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No room in the inn! I wonder, if there was no room for them in the inn on that night so long ago, how much room would there be for them today? Remember that the inns were all full because of the great crowd that was gathered in Bethlehem for the census, a big event. [...]
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In today’s Office of Readings Saint Ambrose reflects on Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. Quoting Luke’s Gospel he writes, “as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the child leapt in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. “Notice the contrast and the choice of words. Elizabeth is the first to hear Mary’s voice, [...]
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As we begin these last few days before Christmas I can’t help thinking about the paradox of the season. We’re called to prayerfully reflect on the coming of the Lord. But our celebration of His birth has become so bloated with external activity that we don’t really have the time to celebrate His birth. We’re [...]
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Father, you show the world the splendor of your glory in the coming of Christ, born of the Virgin. Give to us true faith and love to celebrate the mystery of God made man. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one [...]
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As we “wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ” our joy is sometimes interrupted by sadness. In fact, it seems to happen quite often. Maybe it’s our high expectations for this time of year that magnify small hurts, making them seem bigger than they really are. But statistics tell us [...]
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“And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” The last line of today’s Gospel is worth reflecting on. We’re used to hearing that those who believe in Jesus are blessed. But today He tells John the Baptist’s disciples that those who take no offense at him are blessed. A rational person might [...]
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“When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.” In today’s Gospel Jesus calls out the chief priests and elders for not recognizing John the Baptist for [...]
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William of Saint Theirry was a Cistercian monk who lived in the twelfth century. One of the things that he’s known for is his writing on the subject of love. Here are his words from today’s Divine Office. “You first loved us so that we might love you–not because you needed our love, but because [...]
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Listen to the podcast. It’s Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means rejoice. We wear the pink vestments to emphasize our joy, the same reason we light the pink candle. As Paul wrote to the Phillipians, “Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” It’s just eleven days until we celebrate the [...]
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