Glancing up from the riverbank, the Baptist “looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’” (Jn 1:36). His disciples understood the subtext: Follow the Lamb. Where, O Lamb, are you going, where do you abide? … Continue reading
Cross
The Peace of Fatima
When the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Lucia and her cousins Saints Francisco and Jacinta in Fatima on May 13, 1917, she asked them to “say the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world.” What makes for peace? … Continue reading
The Legend of the Dogwood
Legend has it that the dogwood tree once grew tall and straight with a thick trunk, and was capable of being made into anything, much like an oak tree. This all changed 2,000 years ago, when a dogwood tree was … Continue reading
The Filthy Feet of Jesus
Feet are filthy, smelly things. Makes sense; they take a beating. We walk on them all day, sweating in sneakers, bashing them on soccer balls, or stubbing them on stones or stairs. Blisters, bunions, and black toenails frequently bedeck our … Continue reading
Lenten Mercies
In the readings from today’s Mass, we hear an oracle from one of the most trying times in the history of Judah, the events surrounding the Babylonian exile. During this period, Jerusalem was conquered and many of its inhabitants were … Continue reading
Benedicta a Cruce
Faith and Film Friday: The Seventh Chamber Editor’s Note: This is the eighth review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. Maia Morgenstern, some five years before starring as the Mother of God in Mel … Continue reading
Captured by the Image
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on August 21, 2013 as part of a series called To the Heights. The entire series can be found here. Father Luke Hoyt was ordained to the priesthood in May 2017 and currently serves … Continue reading
The Island’s Holy Fool
Faith and Film Friday: The Island Editor’s Note: This is the third review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. The title of this film warrants a disclaimer from the outset, especially to those avid … Continue reading
Misplaced in the Woods
I once got lost in the woods. I had spent the day hiking with much of my novitiate class, and four of us toured an off-trail route later in the afternoon. Because of a hurt ankle, I lagged behind at … Continue reading
The Subversive Shoot
Christmas is subversive. The eternal, immutable, transcendent, and all-good and powerful Triune God deigned to descend from the heavens and take on our very flesh. He was conceived in the womb of a virgin. Mary’s womb became a tabernacle wherein … Continue reading
“Thy Dear Love Can Slay”
There is a story about how St. John of the Cross celebrated Christmas: “On Christmas day . . . St. John of the Cross, while at ease with his brethren at recreation, took the image of the Holy Infant from … Continue reading
Stressed?
Are you stressed? Are you overwhelmed with work? Does your day feel like one, big, exhausting effort just to survive? Are you so desperately busy that you’ve started identifying with Wile E. Coyote in his feverishly frantic and fatally futile … Continue reading
The Mind of Fear
Brother Phobos sat forlorn on one of the many rock formations encircling his small hermitage in Egypt’s Scetis Valley. With each gurgle of his stomach, his thoughts became increasingly distraught. He had prayed his psalms, tidied up his small monastic … Continue reading
The Mirror of the Cross
Today has traditionally been celebrated as the feast of St. Narcissus, a second century bishop of Jerusalem. For a saint and bishop so close in proximity to the apostles, devotion to him has not been as popular as with other … Continue reading
A Christian is Obedient
Several years ago a small board examined me, asking me to reflect on my time in the Boy Scouts of America. This examination was the last requirement necessary for earning the rank of Eagle Scout; and their questions took on … Continue reading
The Crucifixion at Isenheim
Editor’s note: This is the second post in our newest series, Beholding True Beauty, which consists of prayerful reflections on works of sacred art. The series will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the month of October. Read the whole … Continue reading
Seeing the Crucified
Editor’s note: This is an introduction to our new series, Beholding True Beauty, which will consist of prayerful reflections on works of sacred art. In a culture saturated with superficially attractive and distracting images, turning to truly beautiful art can … Continue reading
Scourged
“But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas, and handed over Jesus scourged so that He might be crucified” (Mark 15:15). How much can a single word hold? St. Mark used only one to record the scourging … Continue reading
Being Exalted on the Holy Cross
Love has conquered, therefore, Love shall be exalted forever. In speaking about the Holy Cross we are not far removed from speaking about love. On today’s feast, the Exaltation (or Triumph) of the Holy Cross, love is on full display. … Continue reading
Being Exalted on the Holy Cross
Love has conquered, therefore, Love shall be exalted forever. In speaking about the Holy Cross we are not far removed from speaking about love. On today’s feast, the Exaltation (or Triumph) of the Holy Cross, love is on full display. … Continue reading
Lord, Have Mercy
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.Rise up, O Lord, and save your people whom you have redeemed at the price of your own blood.Good Shepherd, save your sheep who are ravaged by wolves. Raise up shepherds after … Continue reading
The Blood of Christ
A few weeks ago, I was contemplating Jesus on the cross. It’s not hard to image the pain he was experiencing: the nails, thorns, and scourging rip your own soul wide open. One common tradition understands that Jesus was offered … Continue reading
Clinging to the Cross
These past few weeks have been filled with suffering. The revelation of scandal has caused an immense amount of pain among the members of the Body of Christ, both the victims and all who love the Church. It raises a … Continue reading
The Seven Prayers of St. Gregory
A certain woman used to bring altar breads to Gregory every Sunday morning, and one Sunday, when the time came for receiving communion and he held out the Body of the Lord to her, saying “May the Body of our … Continue reading
Many Hearts, One Love
To gaze on Mary with Mother Teresa and her sisters is to look into Mary’s Immaculate Heart. “I put all my trust in her heart,” Mother Teresa confided (Come Be My Light, 135). Writing to a spiritual director, she pleaded, … Continue reading