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
Holy Week
Later, you will follow
“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” (John 13:36-37) You have to feel for … 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
Peter’s Promise
At the Last Supper, as is written in today’s Gospel, St. Peter confidently proclaimed to Jesus, “I will lay down my life for you” (Jn 13:37). He surely meant it, but martyrdom is easier intended than done. The possibility of … Continue reading
The Weight of Betrayal
Depending on the friar’s piety, the habit rosary is a little less than a pound, give or take a few saint medals. The weight of this devotional to Our Lady roughly equals that of 30 Tyrian shekels, the preferred currency … Continue reading
Two Weeks Too Late
Today we celebrate the Annunciation. . . two weeks late. Having just celebrated the Paschal Mystery of Christ’s death and Resurrection during Holy Week and the Easter Octave, we now take a step back to the event which made it … Continue reading
Behold, All Ye Who Pass By
“They will look on him whom they have pierced.” ( Zech. 12:10) Behold. Turn not your eyes away. Avert not your gaze. Cast not down your face. With the eyes of your body and the eyes of your heart, look … Continue reading
The Bitter Cup
“You make the grass grow for the cattle and plants to serve man’s need, that he may bring forth bread from the earth and wine to cheer the heart” (Ps. 104:14-15). And again: “Then he took a cup, gave thanks, … Continue reading
Never Again to Die
In Holy Week, we experience more than ever the interpenetration of Lent and Easter. Our focus on the Passion is growing, even as we prepare for our Easter celebration. On Friday, the Church makes procession to venerate the Cross, then … Continue reading
Mary’s View of the Passion
The most solemn week of the year has arrived—Holy Week. After the grand drama displayed before us on Palm Sunday, sweeping from Jesus’ entrance on a colt to His entombment, where should we focus our reflections? One of the best … Continue reading
By His Wounds
Jesus Christ did not die to save humanity. That is, not some abstract notion of it. Our Lord’s head was pierced with a crown of thorns. His back was scourged. His face was spit on. His clothes were torn off … Continue reading
O Crux Ave
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012. Fr. Leo Checkai was ordained a priest in May 2014 and now teaches at Providence College. Today is Ash Wednesday. Lent is upon us once more, and … Continue reading
Stay Awake
Today we begin the Holy Triduum, the three-day liturgy, the highest celebration of the church. It is an exhausting enterprise, with waiting, silence, fasting, lots of lines and processions and standing and kneeling. To appreciate it requires both attention and … Continue reading
Betrayal’s Foundation
There are two great betrayals in the Passion of Christ by two of Christ’s very apostles: Judas and St. Peter. Only one now has the title “saint” before his name. Why did Judas betray Christ? It was not a spontaneous … Continue reading
The Lord’s Fear
Anxiety develops in three ways: the tidal waves of sudden tragedy, the rising flood of compounded stresses, and that heavy, salty air of ambient anxiety caused by constant tension or worry. Save me, O God,for the waters have risen to … Continue reading
Know the Forest by The Tree
We can now consider ourselves to be in the liturgical season within the season within the season within the season. On September 14th, the Feast of the Holy Cross, the Church began the traditional penitential period stretching until Easter Sunday. … Continue reading
Embrace of the Cross
The idea of a hug from Jesus can bring to mind the figure of a blue-eyed man with tousled brown hair, probably a big beard, and a cheesy grin with his arms stretched wide waiting for you. Or this time … Continue reading