Spiritual Reflections

If the book of Leviticus was written during the time the Israelites were in exile, it is interesting to hypothesize about all of the rulemaking in the book of Leviticus. In a time of fear and uncertainty, did rules give…

Most of us here have experienced the Catholic Church as it was before Vatican II and after it. Think about the focus on externals before the council. Rituals were very important, and they were governed by specific rules – Mass…

I love the story of the woman who was telling her grandchild about the “Flight into Egypt” — how an angel told Joseph to take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt.  There was a pause and then…

Zep 2:3, 3:12-13 1 Cor. 1:31            Matthew 5:1-12 “Seek justice, seek humility …. I will leave a people humble and lowly.”  Zephaniah advises the people not to suffer the feeling of powerlessness.  St. Paul reinforces…

Many of our own accounts of joining Loretto begin with an attraction to the sisters. How much fun they had. They were happy. They had endless patience with us. They listened. They talked about big things and encouraged us to…

The liturgy of the Word for today is so rich, that I found it rather challenging to focus on only one part. The Prophet Isaiah is my favorite prophet, so he deserves at least a mention. The first reading is…

In our current liturgical cycle there are four manifestations of the Christ in the Sunday readings. The first revelation was on Christmas Day to the shepherds — the simple and humble keepers of sheep, God’s preferential option for the poor.…

Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 It is an article of our faith that Mary brought Jesus to life in a relationship entirely and exclusively with God.  We take for granted that no other woman had such a relationship with…

It has happened to each of us, that day we were born. There we were, as was Jesus so long ago. Like each of us, beginning our time on this earth. A newborn baby is a mysterious creature at first,…

The readings today talk about things that we are familiar with and that are an integral part of Christmas. They are the parts of our faith that we need in difficult times. The readings speak of signs and wonders, calls…

Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice! Every word of today’s readings tells us to rejoice because our feet are firmly planted in the goodness of God’s creation and we have nothing to fear. Isaiah promises that…

“Brothers and sisters, whatever was written before was written for our instruction that we might have hope!” That’s what Paul says today.  Then he says, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one…