Doers of the WordSunday, Nov. 14, 2021 A messy child in a messy world. The rising cost of living; the pain of separation (individuals and nations); abandoned children; daily crudity and violence on television; immigration; supreme court decisions legalizing murder, violence on US streets, etc. And if all that were not enough, nature itself seems … Continue reading A messy child in a messy world
Doers of the Word Meet Abigail, Sarah, and Elizabeth Abigail Adams, the wife of the second US president, John Adams, was interested in Jesus’ treatment of women. “It is a pleasing and grateful circumstance to read in the life and character of Our Savior, the affection and tenderness which he manifests to … Continue reading Meet Abigail, Sarah, and Elizabeth
Doers of the Word Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 Three Questions! Jesus was a Jew. “Why does a Jew always answer a question with a question?” Response: “Why shouldn’t a Jew always answer a question with a question?” “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked of his Apostles. Some said the prophets of old, others Elijah. … Continue reading Three Questions!
Doers of the Word August 8, 2021 Dropping a piece of the Host Before the priest holds up the host and the chalice and says, “Behold the Lamb of God,” he breaks off a small piece of the host and drops it into the chalice. Why? Because it is a custom that goes back to the … Continue reading Dropping a piece of the Host
Doers of the Word Sunday, July 11, 2021 “Is anyone among you sick?” The last verse in today’s Gospel from St. Mark is part of the biblical basis for the Sacrament of the Sick. This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ. It is recommended to the faithful and St. James, the Apostle, in his … Continue reading “Is anyone among you sick?”
Doers of the Word. Epiphany Gift-giving Epiphany falls within the season of Christmas and Christmas is a time of gift-giving. The story of gold, frankincense, and myrrh becomes an occasion to reflect on giving gifts to one another. Tradition tells us that gold represented the wise men’s virtues, frankincense shows them to be people of … Continue reading The Epiphany of the Lord
Doers of the Word Fifty words for “darling” Ian Maclaren tells the true story of a young woman in his book, Beside the Bonnie Briar Brush. She’s raised in a Christian home, but she wants, as they say, to find her freedom: freedom from all those rules, freedom from religion, freedom from the old Puritanism, freedom … Continue reading Fifty words for “darling”
Doers of the Word Third Sunday of Advent Could he be Brother Gregory or Brother Richard? John’s question, “Are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another?” (Mt. 11:3) reminds me of a monastic story that is still being told today. It’s about a monastery that had fallen on hard times. … Continue reading “One of you is the Messiah”
Doers of the Word The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America Is it all mud? In 1858 Bernadette Soubirous saw eighteen apparitions of a “small young lady.” The lady said, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” When she gave instructions to Bernadette, the center of attention shifts from … Continue reading The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary