This week we explore two petitions in the Our Father: “Thy kingdom come,” and “Thy will be done.” In these we are reminded that Christ has indeed established his kingdom, yet not fully. As the saying goes, “already and not yet.” We have an entire liturgical season highlighting this... Read More
The Our Father is a prayer that holds a privileged place in the life of every Christian, and rightly so! It is the only time recorded in Scripture in which Jesus Christ gives his disciples a prayer. It is his answer to their request to be taught how to pray. St Thomas Aquinas referred to it as the “most perfect prayer;” and the Church, in her teaching refers to it as “the prayer of the Church par excellence, for which there is no substitute.” READ MORE...
In many ways it is a habit of human nature to take things for granted – from the simple to the most profound. Sometimes it is because things can begin to feel routine, other times it is because we have not taken the time to adequately reflect on deeper meaning and purpose. I have often found that the Sacrament of Confirmation is a prime example of this. READ MORE...
So it's the beginning of the religious education year; you are nervous, anxious and maybe even a little frightened. Maybe it is your first year, maybe your twenty-first. Maybe, as is often the case, you find yourself a catechist simply because no one else could be found. Maybe it is because your heart was breaking at the thought of such an important need going unmet. READ MORE....
It seemed hopeless. I found that there was nothing I could do or say to make the situation better. I went to pray the Rosary; offering it for the situation at hand. The rhythm of the words helped me to begin to shut off the anxiety I was struggling with. .... READ MORE
In Matthew 6:7, Jesus declares, “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.” In its proper context, Jesus is teaching those gathered for his Sermon on the Mount about prayer. He says this right before giving them what the Church sees as the most perfect and sacred prayer, the Our Father.......
There are few places I prefer to pray more than the Portiuncula, on the campus of Franciscan University. A few years ago, I was on campus for a conference. It was a hot humid day and a storm was moving in. As it began to thunder, and the rain became heavy, I didn’t want to leave. Here, so many times I have found peace, direction from the Lord, reassurance and comfort, and I wanted that again........ READ MORE
Relating to the Blessed Mother Have you ever thought of Mary and wondered how can I relate to someone who was perfect and sinless (which she was!) when I am not? This was something I often wondered. In our early relationship, she was this far away woman who I looked up to. I knew I could never attain her perfection, but I wanted to try and be holy like her. This was a good intention! But I remembered that Mary was also human......READ MORE