Romantic love is a great thing, but not the greatest thing. Without covenant love, eros becomes a god, then a demon, and finally a fire that burns those who refuse to give it a home. Instead, pursue the greater love of—and love for—the Lord. Valentine’s Day beckons, our annual corporate celebration of eros, even though [...]
There is truly no place quite like the Bible Museum because, in it, our faith is made manifest with concrete clarity. It is a place of ongoing learning and discovery that presages that eternity in which we will continuously unravel the mysteries of God’s truth. Whenever I need a respite from the hermetic life of [...]
The 1928 Book of Common Prayer is an important cultural artifact, whose influence on English language and literature rivals that of the Authorized Version of the Bible and the works of William Shakespeare. You will recall Parson Thwackum in Henry Fielding’s classic novel History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1749). Mr. (never, in proper ecclesiastical usage, Reverend) Thwackum [...]
Mary and Joseph spent every day gazing on the face of God incarnate—their own son. These two, no doubt, were profoundly aware of the privilege of every second with their child, the God of the universe. Let us take their example, then, to ask God for the grace to make each moment in his presence [...]
Reflection: OUR BLESSED MOTHER Go to meet your Blessed Mother. Lead her to the manger you have prepared in your heart and invite her to lay the Infant Jesus there. Today, find some quiet time to be alone with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach me always to love your Blessed Mother. Come, [...]
The genealogy of Jesus, so strange upon our ear, is no excursion into mere curiosity or arcane trivia. It is the unfolding and making known of the tale of God’s mercies down the centuries, told out in the lives of the many most of whose names are known to God alone and who lie in [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: ANGELS Invite the angels to adore God with you. Today, be aware of the Divine indwelling on your soul. Prayer: [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: ST. JOSEPH Accompany Joseph from door to door. Learn from his example how to bear refusals and disappointments silently and [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: THE KEY Provide the stable with a key to keep out thieves. Today, try to keep from your heart any [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: SHEPHERDS Invite shepherds to pay homage to our newborn King, imitating their patient waiting and watchfulness. Remember Jesus will be [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: THE OX Lead the strong ox to the crib. Today, use your strength and your talents to help someone else. [...]
How, we wonder, can we know the lightness of His burden and the easiness of His yoke? Unless we are gifted by some special grace, this is not the work of one day or one night. We must surrender to the divine pedagogy, to the training that He offers us every day. Matthew 11: 28-30 [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: PROVISIONS Bring a supply of food to the crib: eat a little less today than you would normally do. Prayer: [...]
Waiting with Our Lady for the coming of Our Saviour, we will meditate each day of Advent on a different aspect of the circumstances of His birth, the moment of The Incarnation amongst us. Reflection: WATER Bring fresh, clean water to the crib by avoiding every untruthful word or act. Be honest in all you [...]