GROW AS A DISCIPLE In one of the best homilies, I ever heard on today’s Gospel, the homilist pointed out that the Lord had seemingly “over multiplied” the loaves and fish. The crowds had eaten to the point of satisfaction, and yet there were twelve baskets of leftovers remaining. “Why so many leftovers? Did the…
The daily examen is a spiritual practice derived from the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. A Basque nobleman, Ignatius underwent a series of religious conversions as a young man following a wound sustained in the Battle of Pamplona in 1521. His Spiritual Exercises were first published in…
Hello Families, Like the person who found the buried treasure and the merchant who acquired the pearl of great price, we seek to find the signs of the kingdom of heaven in our lives. In fact, we even work to bring about God’s kingdom in our actions and in our words. We pray that our…
GROW AS A DISCIPLE Today we continue to hear parables about the kingdom of God and the reaction of those who find it. The merchant and the person in the field joyfully sell all they have to acquire their treasures. In a world in which we have so many responsibilities, following God may sometimes feel…
Question: I accept on faith that God is a Trinity of Persons, and I know it’s something we can’t fully understand. Should I just accept that, or should I try to learn more? Answer: There’s a legend from the life of St. Augustine. As the early Church grappled with the identity of Christ and his…
Hello Families, Today’s Gospel reminds us that in order for God’s Word to take root in us and produce abundant fruit, we must endeavor to be like good soil. Families, in particular, hold the responsibility for “preparing the soil” so that the seeds of God’s Word can grow strong. There are many ways in which…
GROW AS A DISCIPLE There have been moments in my life when I have not been able to find words for prayer, which leaves my efforts feeling unproductive and fruitless. But prayer’s worth is not measured by the words we say. Prayer is the lifting of the mind and the heart to God. We place…