Perspective
We Must Follow Christ on His Way to Calvary
Palm Sunday This weekend, in a liturgy majestic in its ability to transport us to the events of the day that began the first Holy Week, the Church celebrates Palm […]
Perspective Archive
Perspective
Lenten Lessons: Practices to Keep All Year
Living liturgically means approaching Lent as a built-in annual retreat. For most Catholics, that takes a time-tested and traditional shape. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are, after all, the hallmarks of […]
Perspective
Remembering Gaza’s Christians
“It is a very special Easter. We are closer than ever to the crucified Savior,” a Christian in Gaza recently told the Catholic relief agency Aid to the Church in […]
Perspective
Five Ways to Make Holy Week More Holy
As we prepare to enter into the most sacred days of the liturgical year, we have a prime opportunity to make up for any shortcomings that may have been part […]
Perspective
Lent Has Led Us to the Joy and Agony of the Cross
“Through the Passion of Your Only Begotten Son, O Lord, may our reconciliation with You be near at hand, so that, though we do not merit it by our own […]
Perspective
Discipleship Means Complete Obedience to the Will of God
Fifth Sunday of Lent The Book of Jeremiah provides this weekend’s first reading. A common theme runs through all the written prophecies of ancient Israel – namely, that despite human […]
Perspective
A Theology of the Body for Lent
In a recent column, I mentioned that the idea of sacrificial fasting – in particular, giving something up for Lent – has fallen out of favor among many Catholics in recent […]
Perspective
Cleaning Up for a Special Guest
Kids’ toys were scattered around on the floor. Dog hair had blown into corners (we had shedders). Books were stacked in almost every room in the house, and baskets of […]
Perspective
How a Lenten Climb Up Tepayac Hill Leads to Christ
I should have been more prepared for the altitude. I knew Mexico City’s elevation had been a concern during the organization of Pope Benedict’s 2012 trip to the country. (Many […]
Perspective
The Mission of Lent: Running Toward Love Himself
“By your help, we beseech you, Lord our God, may we walk eagerly in that same charity with which, out of love for the world, Your Son handed Himself over […]
Perspective
Rejoice! The Resurrection of Christ Is Drawing Near
Fourth Sunday of Lent The Second Book of Chronicles provides this Lenten weekend with its first reading. Chronicles was written about 1,000 years before Jesus. The identity of its author […]
Perspective
The Painting Beneath the Painting: Faith That Endures
I was a first grader when I made my inaugural trip to Disney. This month – decades later – I returned with a first grader and a fresh set of […]