Today, the restless love of Saint Teresa of Calcutta was rewarded with the restless love of Jesus, the unsleeping rest of heaven. Many times in Luke’s account of the Gospel, we hear of a master and a servant. In two … Continue reading
Bible
Perfect Prayer
“The Lord’s Prayer is most perfect” (ST II-II q. 83, a. 9). Such a bold claim might be supported by observing the centrality of this prayer in Christian life. In the first decades of the Church, the Our Father came … Continue reading
Legal Delight
Upon reflection, the last stanza in the Responsorial Psalm for today’s readings (the proper readings for the Memorial of St. Bernard) could come across to us as perverse: “in the way of your decrees I rejoice.” Why should a decree, … Continue reading
Read it Again
When the Israelites thirsted in the desert, they were given water from the rock to drink (Exod 17). Who gave them that water? God, of course, the prophet Isaiah tells us: “They thirsted not when he led them through the … Continue reading
Memory
Today is Memorial Day, when Americans take time to remember those who have given their lives in defense of their country. I am, in fact, not an American, but in my native Canada we have a similar commemoration called Remembrance … Continue reading
Preaching in Lystra
When Paul and Barnabas heal a crippled man at Lystra while proclaiming the Gospel there, the miracle at first seems to backfire. By preaching in Lystra, they intended to turn the locals away from idolatry to the true worship of … Continue reading
I Write This to You
The first letter of John, over and over, tells the reader what the letter is for. Again and again, we find “I write to you because” or “I write to you so that.” It’s helpful for us who are often … Continue reading
The Sleep of the Saved
Recounting his own reaction to the United States joining the United Kingdom in the Second World War in December 1941—an act Winston Churchill perceived as a sure sign of eventual victory—the British prime minister wrote, “Being saturated and satiated with … Continue reading
The River of a City
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.” (Ps 46:4) Last Friday, a river gushed forth through the city of God. The steel point of the lance, bound to a wooden rod with simple cord, pierced … Continue reading
Better Never To Have Been Born
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31). So terrible, in fact, that it would be better never to have been born (Mt 26:24). Of course, Jesus was saying this concerning Judas’s … Continue reading
Chains of Love
Some chains are taken off and some are put on. We hear in Scripture, “The Lord listens to the needy and does not spurn his servants in their chains” (Ps 69:33), and again, “He led them forth from darkness and … Continue reading
God and Wicked Judges
Today at Mass we hear the story of Susanna. This passage from the book of Daniel presents us with a beautiful, God-fearing, law-observant, chaste, and innocent heroine. She falls victim to the lusts and lies of two thwarted and creepy … Continue reading
Remember What God Has Done
However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to … Continue reading
She Calls Out
He stood still when he heard her voice. “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave simpleness, and live, and walk in the way of insight” … Continue reading
The Silent Man’s Word
Saint Joseph’s silence is famous. It is often said that scripture does not relate a single word that passed from his lips. The Gospels show him to be the faithful and prudent head of the holy family, the chaste husband … Continue reading
The Savior of the World
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on August 19, 2013 as part of a series called To the Heights. The entire series can be found here. Father Vincent Ferrer Bagan was ordained to the priesthood in May 2015 and is … Continue reading
Pharaohs Who Know Not Jesus
In the final chapters of the book of Genesis, we find Joseph, a person who foreshadows and anticipates the coming of Christ. There are many parallels between the lives of Joseph and Jesus. For example, the malice of Joseph’s brothers, … Continue reading
Not by Bread Alone
On family movie night, sometimes my family and I would take a trip to our local grocery store to get some ice cream. My mom and my sisters would choose those normal-sized individual pints. My dad, my brother, and I … Continue reading
From Wicked Lips
Truth is found in surprising places. We expect to hear prophecy spoken by holy men—and it is—but it’s also sometimes spoken by the wicked, as in the strange story of Balaam. We find the story in Numbers 22-24, and it’s worth … Continue reading
Strengthen Me With Raisin Cakes
Some people say that the Bible is like a “love letter” from God. That’s hard to take when you’re sitting in the pew, listening to a lector mumble a reading filled with ancient names and places, and you suddenly realize … Continue reading
Sainthood: A Place That I Will Show You
Today we are a week away from our big All Saints Vigil celebration here at the Dominican House of Studies. As we prepare for this event, it occurred to me to ponder what it means to be a saint, and … Continue reading
Ignorance is Bliss?
We live in an age that is painstakingly well-informed, very aware of all types of news. Our awareness transcends the limits of distance: we can just as easily talk on the phone with a friend down the street as we … Continue reading
So Near to Us
In the record of Moses’ last words, in the book of Deuteronomy, we can hear the urgency with which this great prophet addressed his people. Moses, knowing that he was not going to enter the promised land, agonized over his … Continue reading
Holy Hate
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good” (Rom 12:9). God’s grace conforms our hearts to his. We usually think about this divine work within ourselves as transforming us to love what God loves, … Continue reading
The Untamed Lion
“Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you” (Mr. Beaver, The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe). A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is not a hunky-dory friendship with a buddy. Jesus is the God-man, and … Continue reading