Newsletter Year: 2009

It is sometimes said that we live in an age characterized by a loss of reverence. Many people seem to be deprived of a sense of the sacred and even of common courtesies, which are a springboard into the holy. Likewise, what was once considered poor in taste or even blasphemous has become commonplace and acceptable to many. Language that was once deemed offensive or sinful has become standard in the media. Formalities which were considered normal at meals or in public places are now generally ignored. Even in churches it can be difficult to find reverence and a sense of awe; casual speech…

Although there may be occasions when some of us are called to do “great things,” most of the time we are rightly called to be faithful in doing “little things” as best we can. We may at times become discouraged that our simple prayers and ordinary actions are not producing visible fruit; but the Scriptures and the Holy Rule assure us that if we are acting, for the most part, out of love for Christ, then the little things of our daily lives do, in fact, glorify God and help to bring about sanctification and others’ sanctification.

It was during Holy Week that I began to scribble down reflections for this essay. A central message of the Scripture readings and the liturgies of the Sacred Triduum is that Christ suffered and died for us out of love; He also rose for us out of love and the desire to share eternal life, divine life of immeasurable joy, with us. Christ ardently longs that we respond to His love with growing trust and love, limited though our capacity may be, and He wishes us not to sadden or scandalize one another but rather to encourage one another on our pilgrimage of faith…

During this past Christmas Season, and especially in the celebration of Our Lord’s Epiphany, it struck me how very ardently God wishes to reveal Himself to us. The readings at Mass for Epiphany speak of this great desire. Through Isaiah God invites ancient Israel and the Church today: “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you …; upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears His glory” (Is 60: 1,2). In St. Matthew’s Gospel the magi from the East respond to…