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 […]
Columns Archive
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 […]
Perspective
A meditation on the dramatic battle in which we live
A grave deficiency of modern times is the loss of the sense that our lives are caught up in a tremendous, epic battle. Yet here we are living in the midst […]
Bishop's Column: In Truth and Charity
Bishop’s Advice for a Holy Advent: ‘Pray and Love’
With Advent, we begin a new liturgical year. The Latin word “Adventus” means “coming.” The meaning of Advent can be summed up in two words: “God comes.” God comes to […]
Perspective
The kingdom of the Almighty God has no end
Feast of Christ the King John 18:33b-37 This weekend, in great joy and thanksgiving, the Church closes its year. As it looks back through the days and months of 2021, […]
Perspective
The divine order of the world: Christ the King
“Don’t allow donkeys or elephants to make you forget that we belong to the Lamb of God!” was my favorite election time slogan last year. While political parties roared and […]