If God really is our happiness, then the greatest kind of hope is not an expectation of earthly felicity, but rather a bold trust in God’s love for us in spite of every challenge and suffering. “Nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:37). By this one little phrase the weight of despair is lifted [...]
Jesus retaining his wounds teaches us that the wounds we endure are not condemnations from a shameful past, but are the means by which God brings us to heaven. “Wait… his hand is in him!?” cried the boy. Kids were screaming, markers were flying, little girls were pretending to faint, all at the sight of this [...]
Fr. David & Fr. Bruce Noble I had never been in a hospice before, although several people had encouraged me to go and serve there. It just didn’t seem like my calling. Why go to serve the dying, when I can work among the living to equip them for a better life? It [...]
Consider Jesus hanging on the cross. Observe the cuts on his body from being scourged and violently stripped of his clothes. See the gashes made from falling under the weight of his heavy cross. Notice the torn flesh of his pierced hands and feet. Look him in the eyes as blood drips down his face. [...]
Grace alone determines whether we go to Heaven or Hell. But our good works determine whether we go through purgation or not, en route to Heaven. November 2 is the feast of All Souls. The point of the day is to remember those who have gone before us—but not necessarily the saints (those in Heaven). [...]
When we take up the real cross, instead of seeking honor through it, we embrace its dishonor. Our heavier crosses are unaesthetic—ugly. They don’t bring admiring glances; rather, they humiliate. I used to frequently attend Mass in a church with a mostly beautiful series of painted Stations of the Cross. I say “mostly” only because the eleventh station, [...]