Something has gone unnoticed at a seemingly big wedding: it has only started, and the wine comes up short. This is a rather unusual scene at a feast in Cana of Galilee: the groom is entirely unaware that the wine has run out at his celebration, the bride is not even mentioned by name, and…
The quiet Jordan River is shaken during Jesus’ baptism, releasing heavenly blessings on every human who longs for our creator’s embrace. The heavens opened, and a voice resounded, “You are my Son, the beloved: you are the source of my joy.” Delightful words to hear! The voice speaks three things about Jesus and each of…
Happy New Year! Today we celebrate, “The Epiphany of the Lord.” “Epiphany,” comes from the word, “Reveal.” God reveals Himself to us, especially the Gentile people, who mostly of us are descended from, through his Son, Jesus Christ. During this feast, we remember the Magi, the wise men, known for “Looking up,” focused on the…
The word of God resonates through families and generations, sharing stories of love and crises. Like in Adam and Eve’s family, we see conflict themes and life’s enduring power. The Bible reveals the expressions and struggles of love, emphasizing its tangible and everyday nature. The same is true in today’s Gospel: a story of a…
The virgin Mary hurried to visit elderly Elizabeth, and “As she entered the house of Zechariah, she greeted her.” This moment was like an angel bringing joyful news, which the child in Elizabeth’s womb immediately sensed. It was as if music played, calling for a dance and signaling the end of sadness, so the child…
Today is Gaudete Sunday, a word that means “Rejoice!“ As we enter the third week of Advent, we change the colors on the advent wreath and our vestments as we move from the penitential purple to a more joyful rose. This always reminds me of Fr. Howard, God bless his soul, he always said, “It’s…
Although John the Baptist was far away from the temple by the Jordan River, crowds descended mainly to see him. People who were not appreciated at the temple—ordinary people, publicans, and soldiers—went because he was credible and went straight to the heart of life: The outcasts, with restless hearts, asked, “Do you know the way?…
A solemn, almost majestic page kicks off this Gospel. From an unnamed place, the narrative launches itself to the heart of the Roman empire, dashing from the Jordan River to the throne of Tiberius Caesar. He outlines the geopolitical and religious structures and announces that in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, the word…
We start Advent with a heavenly command: we ought to read the heavens, and as a follow-up, we should read the aches and pains of our souls and hearts. Scary signs unrelated to the world’s end will appear in the sun, moon, and stars. They display your values, idols, health, and expectations when they fail.…
We are blessed, in our modern age, to have at our fingertips modern video content fromBishop Baron, Fr Mike Schmitz, and others. But today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of OurLord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, I want to go back in time and discuss a book, written inthe 1600s, by Brother Lawrence, a…