Archives for June 2026

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4) As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day next week, we might reflect a little bit about what it means to be “free.” In the context of the Fourth of July holiday, freedom means being separated from the political control of a king as had been the case prior to the American revolution. But “freedom” means many things. Webster’s Dictionary has a very lengthy definition of freedom. In part it reads: “a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; b: liberation from slavery or restraint … [Read more...]

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Mt 10:29-31) Today Jesus tells is not to be afraid. And how much we need to hear these words during this time of global pandemic and societal unrest! Fear of disease, fear of racism and fear of violence have permeated the last three months. But the words of the Gospel provide a reassurance from Jesus: “do not be afraid.” If we think about it, our lives are a succession of fears. As children we might have feared the dark or thunder and lightning. Perhaps as teenagers we feared not fitting in at school. At exam time we might have feared failing a test or failing to … [Read more...]

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.” (Mt 12:25) One of the earliest Catholic devotions I learned as a child was devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since my Mom and all three of my sisters attended the Academy of Sacred Heart, the words “Sacred Heart” were part of an almost daily vocabulary. And then there’s the image of the Sacred Heart with which we are familiar, and I remember it being a little confusing to me as a child. Why was the heart of Jesus outside of His body? Doesn’t it have to be inside His body to pump His blood? But then I think I figured that Jesus could do whatever He wanted, since He’s God. But … [Read more...]

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.". (Jn 6:51) Today’s Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (“Corpus Christi” in Latin) is a fairly recent addition to the Church calendar, dating from only the 13th century. We know that the Body and Blood of Christ are present at every Mass, but this special feast to honor the Body and Blood of Christ owes its existence to the petitions of a Belgium nun named Juliana of Liège from the 13th century. From a young age, Juliana had a great love for the Blessed Sacrament and longed for a special feast in its honor. Her desire was increased by a vision she had of the Church under the appearance … [Read more...]