“He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end” (John 13:1). Jesus spends His final hours together with His closest friends, the ones whom He has called to loving friendship in the most intimate of ways. He wants to show them ultimate proof of His absolute love and fidelity. The...
Love beyond all telling moves Jesus to accept His Passion. He does not evade His enemies, but freely gives Himself into their hands. Recall during His arrest Jesus having stated that He chosen He could have summoned legions of angels to defend Him. Instead He permits them to take and bind Him without resistance. Later,...
On EASTER SUNDAY we hear the startling account of Jesus’ Resurrection (John 20:1-9). A new creation takes place. It is the first day of the week – literally, day one (v. 1). Notice the focus upon what is seen. The physical evidence of a new creation abounds. The disciple whom Jesus loved was at the...
There are two possible paths, diametrically opposed. One of fidelity, the other is betrayal. The loving fidelity of Mary of Bethany, the horrifying treachery of Judas. O Lord, let my heart be like Mary’s! How I want the traitor in me entirely dead and destroyed!
Today’s Gospel account relays this impressive scene (John 12:1-11): Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany … They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served … Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair.” True...
Today is Palm Sunday. We begin Holy Week recalling Jesus’ triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. The palms blessed and received at church are meant to spur us on in our commitment to accompany Jesus throughout the week, to conquer with Jesus by keeping our sights set squarely on His Cross by means of which...
On PALM SUNDAY, Holy Week begins and at Mass we always hear the account of Jesus’ suffering and death. All four Gospels relay the account, each in a personal way. This year we will head Mark’s account which is told in two gospel chapters: 14 & 15. Mark presents the disciples in a genuine and...
Prayer is best when it is personal – that is, real. Intentional disciples speak with God with the ease and honesty of conversing with dear friend. Ask God to help make yours a conversation that throws upon your soul and enables you to plumb the depths of love, both when praying alone and in company...
God draws those who belong to Him from the world to Himself. In the account of Jesus’ Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-10), Jesus draws Peter, James and John from the world to Himself – and by extension the whole Church. Why? Because we belong to God. I remember coming of age in a more distinctly Catholic culture...
Some mistakenly thing penance is a Lent thing. Actually it is a feature presentation of daily living. Typically, many opportunities for practicing penance are baked into our ordinary experience. Jose Maria Escrivá (+1975) offers many practical examples of doing daily penance. Penance is following through on promises to self and others, even though we are...
