Scripture
From the Shadows
Father Ronald D. Witherup Comments Off on From the Shadows
On Dec. 8, 2020, Pope Francis surprised the world once more by issuing an apostolic letter declaring the “Year of St. Joseph.” I can imagine that no small numbers of bishops and priests were thinking, “Yet another themed year!” Some dioceses had already planned their own themed events, some revolving around synods or diocesan planning. Read More
Praying Psalm 110
Father Harry Hagan and Father Christian Raab Comments Off on Praying Psalm 110
Psalm 110 has a special place in the life of a priest. Indeed, as one of the approved texts for the Rite of Ordination, many priests will hear it on the day their priestly life begins. Also, it appears at vespers every Sunday and on most solemnities, so it is a psalm the priest returns Read More
How to Grow in Holiness
Father Carmen Mele Comments Off on How to Grow in Holiness
One summer during priestly formation, I was traveling in West Virginia with the Dominican preaching team there. Somehow I learned that my best friend’s father had died. The man had been very solicitous of me, a kind of surrogate for my own dead father. I wanted to attend his funeral in Chicago but, at the Read More
Going Deeper into the Psalms
Father Harry Hagan Comments Off on Going Deeper into the Psalms
People often expect the Book of Psalms to be “The Lord is my Shepherd” times 150. As those who read them regularly know, it is a crazy quilt of many different and unexpected voices, and not all of them happy. From time to time, we all need to remember that they were originally the prayers Read More
The Depth of the Beatitudes
Father Jeffrey Kirby Comments Off on The Depth of the Beatitudes
Early in my priestly ministry, an older priest told me, “The goal of every homily is to convince people why life is worth living.” Honestly, at the time, it seemed strange counsel to me. I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant. But years later, with more experience under my belt, I’ve been able to discern Read More
Causing Confusion
Father Bill Waters Comments Off on Causing Confusion
I have heard it said many times from many people that Pope Francis confuses them. I would like to say that I believe he is in good company, because Jesus Christ in his day confused many people. Since Pope Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, he has made scores of headlines but not Read More
‘When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong’
Brother Elliott Maloney Comments Off on ‘When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong’
When people ask about St. Paul, a common question among the faithful involves his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7). That’s not surprising, because we almost always are curious about any weakness an important person exhibits. We want to see how others deal with adversity, especially those who have achieved greatness in spite of Read More
The Yoke of Discipleship
Father Eugene Hensell Comments Off on The Yoke of Discipleship
There are few passages in all four Gospels that people find more inspirational than Matthew 11:25-30. Here we encounter Jesus portrayed as a wisdom teacher revealing hidden mysteries about God, the kingdom of God and the divine mutuality that exists between himself and the Father. What is most surprising in all this is not only Read More