St. Anastasia shares in the Incarnation by sharing her feast day with the commemoration of Christ's Nativity on the Solemnity of Christmas.
God Bless Little Saints: St. Servulus
St. Servulus puts flesh on the words of St. Paul: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions (Colossians 1:24).”
Trust in God: 4th Sunday of Advent
Trust in God Trust in God and he will save you. Trust in men and, well, tough luck. Our first reading on this 4th Sunday of Advent is about a king who refuses to trust in the Lord: The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;let it be deep as … Continue reading Trust in God: 4th Sunday of Advent
Evermore and Evermore: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.”
Sixty human generations or more have passed since Aurelius Prudentius first published hymn IX of his Liber Cathereminon. We still sing it today as the Christmas hymn "Of the Father's Love Begotten."
Rose in the Desert: Gaudete Sunday (3rd Sunday)
Every day we run up against the brokenness of our world, the failure of our plans, dysfunction in our families and, perhaps most discouraging of all, stubborn sin in our own hearts.
Only in the Lord: St. Nicasius and Advent
St. Nicasius understood that human righteousness would overawe neither Huns nor Vandals. Instead, he put his trust in the Lord.
Lover or Fighter? St. Nicholas of Myra
Lover or Fighter? Well, which is he, lover or fighter? St. Nicholas has the distinction of being one of those saints whose name is known to just about everybody, inside and outside the Church. At the same time, few, at least in the west, know his actual story today. I first published a version … Continue reading Lover or Fighter? St. Nicholas of Myra
Who Needs Adventure Stories? We Have St. Barbara
While the basic story of a young woman who accepts martyrdom because she defied her father seems likely enough, some of the miracles associated with her seem to stretch credulity a little too much. Although, who knows? With God all things are possible (Matthew, 19:26).
Latin, the Liturgy, and the Human Touch
We see the Incarnation reflected in so many things in our world. We need the Word to become Flesh, the Eternal Word who is Jesus Christ, because that's how we apprehend words and ideas. We need the same from lesser words as well. That's how God created us. It should come as no surprise that our … Continue reading Latin, the Liturgy, and the Human Touch
Falling Yet Striving to Rise: Alma Redemptoris Mater
Falling Yet Striving Falling yet striving to rise. That's the life of a Christian. It's better than the alternative, of course, which is simply falling. In any case, this idea is central to the Marian prayer Alma Redemptoris Mater ("Loving Mother of the Redeemer"). This will be the Marian Antiphon from the 1st Sunday of … Continue reading Falling Yet Striving to Rise: Alma Redemptoris Mater