REFLECTIONS ON RECENT PAPAL DECLARATION
As you probably know, the Vatican Office for the Doctrine of the Faith recently issued a declaration entitled Fiducia Supplicans in response to questions that had been raised over the past several years regarding same-sex couples. You may also have read about the controversy that this declaration has raised throughout the Church around the world. In case you haven’t read it, I would like to offer a summary of this declaration and some reflections about it. The document begins with an introductory Presentation that offers the context for this [...]
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (Year A, B, C)
Isaiah 60: 1 - 6 This Sunday, we will hear again from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. The section we will hear is from the 60th chapter, so we know that it is from trito-Isaiah, which comes from the time when the people have returned from the Babylonian exile. Whereas Isaiah’s prophecy is filled with warnings of impending doom, here we will hear a message of hope. Those of you who have the Catholic Study Bible will want to check the footnote on these verses: The Church makes use [...]
SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
As you may recall, I was the chancellor of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem before I was assigned here in 2011. In that previous position, I had the privilege of working with this international Catholic organization that supports the Christians living in the Holy Land, most particularly in the West Bank and Gaza. We would raise approximately $10 million annually to support parishes, schools, orphanages and hospitals operating in the West Bank and Gaza. This support was essential for the Christians who are trapped there due [...]
ADVENT ENDS AND CHRISTMAS BEGINS
It’s not very often that we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent one day and Christmas the next. The last time this occurred was six years ago in 2017 and it won’t happen again until 2028. As I have heard from so many, it seems that Christmas has come much sooner, even though it’s on the 25th of December, as it is every year. As we end the Advent Season and jump right into Christmas, allow me to reflect on the significance this time has for all of us. Last [...]
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Year B)
Isaiah 40:1 – 5, 9 – 11 The first reading and Gospel passage this Sunday speak of St. John the Baptist, the last prophet of the Old Testament who would prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. Unlike last week’s readings, which focused on the coming of the Lord at the end of time, this week’s first reading and gospel focus on his first coming – and the preparation for his coming through John the Baptist’s prophetic proclamations. For our first reading this Sunday, we will again hear from [...]
THE GOSPEL OF MARK
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.” (Mark 1:1-2) As we enter into this new liturgical year, we hear again today from the Gospel of Mark. As I mentioned in last week’s article, we will be hearing almost all of Mark’s Gospel over the course of this year since it is year B in the liturgical calendar. As we begin to hear from [...]