Perspective
If every parish was a pro-life safe haven
My track record as a predictor of Supreme Court abortion decisions took a hit years ago when I wrote an editorial predicting that Planned Parenthood v. Casey would overturn Roe […]
Columns Archive
Perspective
An Advent meditation on the paradox of God’s power
One of the great cries of Advent is for God to rend the heavens and come down. (Is 64:1) for Him to stir up His mighty power and come to […]
Perspective
With the eyes of a child, gaze upon the Nativity
Every Christmas since I can remember, the National Gingerbread Competition has been hosted at the Grove Park Inn resort in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. Growing up, it was […]
The Sunday Gospel
The Lord will rejoice over us, so should we rejoice with others
Third Sunday of Advent Luke 3:10-18 For centuries this Sunday was called “Gaudete” Sunday, the name coming from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon, “Rejoice,” or in Latin, “Gaudete.” […]
Perspective
Three comings of Christ
Many years ago, in the context of a high school religion class, a very wise Benedictine nun gave me a template for understanding Advent that I’ve never forgotten. It is […]
Perspective
An Advent plea for immigration reform
How long? Until when? These questions are common during Advent as Christians reflect on the meaning of the final coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. From the depths of our […]
Perspective
New cures from embryonic stem cells?
A recent article in the New York Times by Gina Kolata chronicles the remarkable story of a patient who for many years suffered from Type 1 diabetes. After receiving a newly […]
The Sunday Gospel
Let us make ready the way of the Lord
Second Sunday of Advent Luke 3:1-6 The Book of Baruch provides the first reading for this Second Sunday of Advent. Baruch, not one of the major prophets, is relatively brief, […]
Perspective
Bread, wine and a Norway spruce: the sacramental life
Before there were any buildings in Rockefeller Center, there was a Christmas tree. At the peak of the Great Depression, construction workers hungering for holiday cheer pooled their money to […]
The Sunday Gospel
Prepare for the day when all will be fulfilled
First Sunday of Advent Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36 With this first Sunday of Advent, the Church begins a new liturgical year. As such, the readings for the year to come […]
Perspective
Jesus walks
Any Christian who goes to Jerusalem will come away inspired by the experience of visiting a city where Jesus walked. Of course, as with all tourist sites, there is a […]
Perspective
Don’t miss out on Advent this year
Anyone who has ever had, or spent any time with children knows that the act of waiting isn’t a strong suit for that demographic. From the road trip cliché “Are […]