Miracle Babies
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Today’s readings tell the stories of two miracle babies – Samson and John the Baptist. The mothers of both of these boys were barren. Everyone assumed they would never have...
A Righteous Man
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Today in the first reading from Jeremiah 23, the Lord says, “Behold, the days are coming when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; as king he shall...
Gaudete Sunday
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Today is Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent. Today we light the pink, or rose, candle on the Advent wreath. It is called Gaudete Sunday because of the opening...
Not What You Expect
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In the first reading today from Sirach 48, we see a synopsis of the life and times of Elijah. The people were awaiting his return. In the Gospel reading from...
God's Way is Simple, But...
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Love always desires the good. God is love. Therefore, God always desires the good. He always wants what is best for us. He also knows that often what we want...
The Return of Elijah
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You may know that the most common admonition in Scripture is "Be not afraid" or some variation thereof. We see one in today's first reading from Isaiah 41. "It is...
Battery Recharge
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I'm now a former runner. I've done over a dozen marathons, countless half marathons and even some ultra-marathons in my day. Unfortunately, my knees gave out a few years ago...
Your Merciful Mother
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Today the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on a hill in Tepeyac, Mexico, in December of 1531,...
Incredible Things
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Today's "golden thread" is about healing. In the first reading from Isaiah 35 we read, "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be...
A Voice in the Desert
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Today is the Second Sunday of Advent. In the Gospel reading from Mark 1, we read about the ministry of John the Baptist. He is the one about whom the...
Your Life GPS
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I have always been somewhat directionally challenged. That's why I love the invention of the GPS. It tells me where I need to go, and corrects me when I've gone...
Conceived Without Sin
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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Remember that, for Catholics, today is a Holy Day of obligation. I hope you will make it a point to attend...
Surviving the Storms
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The theme of today's readings is a strong house. In the first reading from Isaiah 26, it is referred to in the context of a city and a nation. And...
On This Mountain
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Mountains are a big deal. (See what I did there?) Scripture is filled with stories from and references to mountains. That's a theme in today's readings. In the first reading...
Childlike
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Today’s first reading from Isaiah 11 starts with what should be a familiar prophesy. “On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse…” Jesse was King David’s...
Subject to Authority
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Today's Gospel reading from Matthew 8 contains a line that every Catholic should be familiar with. They are the words of a centurion who asked Jesus to heal a servant...
The Jesus Window
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Happy New Year! No, it's not January 1, but it is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year. And no matter what year it is,...
The Dreaded Rut
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Today is the last day of the Church year. Tomorrow begins a brand new liturgical year with the season of Advent. In our Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus has...
His Words Live On
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” And so it has been. Seasons come and go. Rulers...
A Fishing Brother
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Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew. Andrew was an Apostle, the brother of Simon Peter. The word “apostle” means “one who is sent.” In the first reading today...
The White Envelope
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The White Envelope by Nancy Gavin Editor’s Note: This is a true story that is provided to us by the family of the author. Even though Nancy passed away two...
Wisdom in Speaking
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Christianity has to be from God. Why do I say this? Because Jesus told His disciples again and again what they were in for. “They will seize and persecute you,...
The End is Near!
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Ever heard the expression “feet of clay?” It means when someone has a fatal flaw. Usually someone admired or thought highly of. We use the expression when someone lets us...
No Pain, No Gain
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In the first reading today, we read the beginning of the Book of the Prophet Daniel. Daniel was a gifted young man, and faithful to God. For that, God blessed...
The Perfect King
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Today the Church celebrates the end of the liturgical year. Fittingly enough, it is the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or more commonly referred to...
Life After the Resurrection
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In the Gospel from Luke 20, some Saducees, who don’t believe in the resurrection of the body, throw a trick question at Jesus about who a woman would be married...
A House of Prayer
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In the first reading today from 1 Maccabees 4, we read about the origins of Hanukkah. Do you know what that Jewish feast, celebrated to this day, is all about?...
Gratitude
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Happy Thanksgiving! Today is a day when Americans give thanks to God for all their blessings. I suspect you're like me and have received more blessings than you could possibly...
A Mother's Courage
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In our first reading today from 2 Maccabees 7, we meet yet another fascinating character. She is a mother who exhibits amazing faith and bravery. Some may think otherwise, but...
An Old Man Leads the Way
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In today’s readings, we meet two great characters of the Bible! The first is one who is probably very little known, the other very well known, especially with kids. He...
A Really Big Deal
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Our first readings this week will be from 1 and 2 Maccabees. We'll meet some amazing heroes of the faith, from whom we can learn much. Today's Gospel reading from...
Using Your Talents
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In the Gospel from Matthew 25, Jesus tells the story of a man going on a trip and giving his servants some talents (money). When the master returns, he wants...
Pestering God?
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In today's Gospel reading from Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge. A widow comes to him seeking a judgment, but he refuses. The widow, however, kept...
Seeing God in Beauty
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 17, Jesus talks about what things would be like on the day of His return. The first Christians were convinced that that day was...
Pursuing Wisdom
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Our first reading today is again from the Book of Wisdom. What an amazing book! In it, Wisdom is always referred to as a female personal pronoun, she. More in...
The Dangers of Power
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Today's Gospel reading is the story of Jesus healing ten lepers. Yet, only one returned to give thanks. In our first reading from Wisdom 6, we hear a warning for...
Where's My Trophy?
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Today’s first reading from Wisdom 2 and 3 is one that we recently heard – on All Souls’ Day. It is one that those of us who have lost loved...
Of Wisdom and Millstones
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For the first reading today, we begin a quick trip through the Book of Wisdom. In the Gospel reading from Luke 17, Jesus talks about sin, causing others to sin,...
Thinking Long Term
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In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about 10 virgins getting ready to go to a wedding feast. Five were wise - they brought extra oil...
Who (or What) Will You Serve?
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In the Gospel reading from Luke 16, Jesus talks about how it is impossible to serve two masters. “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and...
What Christ Accomplishes Through You
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Today's Gospel reading from Luke 16 is Jesus' parable about the dishonest steward. In the parable, the master commends the steward, not for his dishonesty, but for his prudence in...
God's Temple
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. the Lateran Basilica was erected by Constantine. It is known as the mother church of Christendom. We...
The Act of Letting Go
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I love Romans 13:8, the opening line in today’s first reading: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”...
How to Live Like a Christian
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Today's first reading from Romans 12 is really a blueprint for living the Christian life. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Luke 14, Jesus tells a parable...
Eternal Repayment
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In the first reading today from Romans 11, St. Paul says, “For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.” That may sound a bit odd....
Practicing What You Preach
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Most folks don't like the idea of being preachy. Being preached to can bring up some pretty negative emotions. But do you preach? Let's explore that. In the Gospel reading...
Seeking the Lowest Place
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In the Gospel reading today from Luke 14, Jesus is eating at the home of a leading Pharisee. He tells a parable about a guy who, when invited to a...
A Higher Law
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St. Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was a Jew, a learned Pharisee. It broke his heart that so many of his own people refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ. He...
Praying for Our Beloved Dead
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Today we celebrate All Souls' Day. On this feast (and throughout the month of November) we pray for the souls of the faithful departed. To many non-Catholic Christians, this seems...
All Saints
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Today we celebrate the Feast of All Saints. For the past 25 years, whenever this day falls on a weekday, I have a tradition of calling everyone with whom I speak...