Dec
9
Missing the Signs
December 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment
You get fired or laid off unexpectedly - and you realize that you missed the signs that would have told you that unemployment was coming.
Your girlfriend tells you that she is breaking up with you when you think everything was bliss - and you realize that you missed the signs that she was sliding away.
Your kids do something destructive [...]
Dec
8
The Patroness of the USA
December 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment
How many of us know that Mary, as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of the United States?
In 1959, American bishops consecrated America to Our Patroness, the Immaculate Conception, during the dedication of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Our nation was reconsecrated to her [...]
Dec
7
Where is the St. Ambrose of Our Time?
December 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Until today, I really didn’t know much of anything about St. Ambrose, whose life the church commemorates today. But, now he may be one of my favorite saints.
He was a Roman official, sent to Milan to help them decide on a new archbishop. He ended up getting chosen by the people as the new archbishop [...]
Dec
6
The House of Rock
December 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Today’s gospel (Matthew 7) is one of the easiest to understand. It’s Christ’s analogy about building your house on rock versus building your house on sand.
Why is the gospel one of the easiest to understand? I can just imagine this conversation with a builder or a realtor - “Wow, I really love this house - it’s built [...]
Dec
5
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way!
December 5, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Wow, I love nights like I had last night! When God slaps me across the face and says, “Son, you got it good! Be grateful. Make the most of my blessings to you.”
I was in Columbus (Ohio’s state capitol) all day. I was returning home around dinner time. As it’s a two hour drive home, [...]
Dec
4
Seeing & Hearing What Others Cannot
December 4, 2007 | 1 Comment
I started reading Spe Salvi yesterday. Great stuff, but it may take me a while to get through it.
In any case, Pope B16’s timing is impeccable - a treatise on hope during the season of hope.
One of the points I’ve picked up already from Spe Salvi is that hope is something that may not be seen or heard [...]
Dec
3
What is This Thing Called Hope?
December 3, 2007 | 1 Comment
Advent is a season of hope - a season to believe in a better life, a better world. A season to rise above our limited powers of perception and see something extraordinary - the potential of the human condition when directed by the divine will.
We see this hope in the season’s food drives, toy drives, [...]
Dec
2
Season of Waiting
December 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment
“Daddy, I wish today was Christmas . . . when is it going to be here?”
I got this question from my little boy this morning while getting ready for Mass - and I have a feeling I’m going to get this question a lot during the next 24 days.
Last night, we put up our tree - after [...]
Dec
1
Happy New Year!
December 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Every New Year’s Eve, we’re supposed to think about the past year and make resolutions for the coming year. Think about what we did right and wrong, and what we plan to do better.
Tonight is the end of one Church liturgical year and the beginning of another. Tonight, is the Church’s New Year’s Day, so to speak.
So, maybe this new [...]
