Ablaze

Jesus said, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk. 12:49). What kind of fire is Jesus talking about? Is he thinking of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:23-25)? Fire certainly … Continue reading

Finding a Friend in the Folio

Until recently, I thought that I was the only person to have written a quirky, pious, ukulele song for St. Isidore the Farmer. Perhaps I still am. However, while searching through some medieval manuscripts I found that even in this, … Continue reading

Living with God

“Behold, the Lamb of God.” The priest lifts the Host up for us to adore our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” We yearn for Him, long … Continue reading

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Easter has eggs, Christmas presents, Halloween candy, and the Fourth of July fireworks. These are so tied to their celebration that leaving out the “has” of the preceding clauses might make one think that the names of the holidays were … Continue reading

The Eucharistic “Tiramisu”

Roman culture is well-versed in the art of “lifting up” body and soul. As my friends and I experienced on our semester abroad, one is normally connected to the other. That is, if you did not treat cappuccino as a … Continue reading

Emmaus

At last.Here look!See Love.Ye who do go conversing sad.Ye who see nowYour Lord drawing nearAnd yet see Him not.Ye for whom LoveHad died upon the gibbetDrowned in blood that dread Friday afternoonAnd all was thought lost. At last.Here look!See Love.Ye … Continue reading

The Eucharist: Grace for Tired Spirits

“Food tastes so good when you’re hungry!” Veritas from the lips of babes. This time it’s your ten-year-old son who has just worked his tail off after 60 minutes of hard-played soccer. And he’s right. After all, that’s what food … Continue reading

The Memory of His Passion

Why does the Catholic Mass focus so much on Jesus’s death on the Cross? For someone unaccustomed to Catholic worship, this may seem morbid or even embarrassing. Does not Christianity claim to be a religion that holds out the power … Continue reading

More Eloquent than the Blood of Abel

Growing up the third of four boys I have thought long and hard about the story of Cain and Abel. Beside pondering fraternal conflict and the effects of original sin, the story of the brothers intrigues me with regard to … Continue reading