Lent has ended and Holy Week has begun. And you might say that we have all lived a really “good” Lent. The beginning of Lent was marked in a special way, coming as it did on the heels of Pope Francis’ meeting about the abuse crisis with all of the bishops in Rome. Now as… [Read More]
Dear Austin, let us pray…
It is a morning to pray. We woke up to the news today that the suspect behind the recent package bombs had been caught, and indeed had taken his own life in the process. Let us pray this morning together for peace in our city, for peace in our families, for peace in our own… [Read More]
The Betrothal and Love of Joseph and Mary
As the Solemnity of Saint Joseph approaches let us contemplate the betrothal and love of Joseph and Mary and how it can help couples today. It is mentioned very little in scripture. Yet it was the foundation for the family into which Jesus Christ was born. Blessed Pope John Paul II says in the church… [Read More]
The “Waze” of God
You know that moment when you plug your destination into Waze, and you hope and thinking, “Am I going to make it on time?…Waze says I’ll get there 5:23pm…but maybe the traffic will lighten up? Or it will find me a short cut??” A couple of weeks ago I was caught in that circumstance. Chugging… [Read More]
Angels & Dragons IX: 40 Days to Slay Your Dragon!
“Rise up; this matter is in your hands (Ezra 10:4)!” Your time has come Dragon Slayer! On your feet! You can no longer be “the brother of dragons,” (Job 30:29) for “Lent is the very badge of the Christian warfare!” (Pope Benedict XIV) How will you spend your 40 Days of Lent, in what may… [Read More]
To My Father For All His Love: A Lenten Reflection
Guest Post by Deacon Dan Lupo In Chicago, where I grew up, March days are shrouded in gray, blasted by icy wind, and blanketed by snow. Perfect Lent weather. The weather is Lent-perfect because the gray skies evoke a somber mood, which matches the serious attitude Lent fosters. Lent calls for soberly examining our faith… [Read More]
How does modern man best hear the call the conversion?
In this liturgical season of conversion, we are faced with the question: Just exactly how does “conversion” happen? How is change possible in our daily lives, and in a lasting way? I’d like to go deeper into thoughts from my last post, as a kind of part II (see: Living Lent Like a Little One)…. [Read More]
Living Lent like a Little One
Lent is a season of conversion, a call to repentance, a time of turning back to God. To me, these are Christ’s most striking words on conversion: Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3) Unless you turn and become! We shall not enter… [Read More]
You Are “That Man”
Once upon a time there was an important man who oversaw a big group. He was very wealthy and had many responsibilities. To his credit, the man loved the Lord and knew that everything he had was from God. But somewhere along the way his love of God began to slip. Feeling entitled and prideful,… [Read More]
A Lent of Luminous Darkness and Wild Seeds
I love Lent. I am always happy to hear that I am dust, and that to dust I shall return. When I close my eyes to pray, I can really tell I am dust. In here where I live, it’s quiet and dark. Simple. Nothing to it. Who am I? Dust. Clay. Nothing. Everything. Inwardly… [Read More]
Feel Like You Failed Lent? I do!
I had the best of intentions. I really did. Despite the stress from recent major life changes (getting married, moving three times, having a baby, leaving a job, starting a business and buying a house, all within 18 months), I set myself up for a Lent of awesome fasting, prayer, and spiritual reconnection with my… [Read More]
A Message in the Desert
When your heart says to God, “you have cut off my life like a weaver severs the last thread, “ when you’re alone in the desert on a cold night with no fire, and you’ve never known such emptiness or alienation and you say in your alarm, “no man can can be trusted!” When your life is… [Read More]
Sunday Says – March 6, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
March 6, 2016 Fourth Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 33 (NAB Translation) The fourth Sunday of Lent is known at Laetare Sunday when we lighten the violet just a little to the shade of rose and celebrate that we are now only 3 weeks away from Easter. We are past the halfway mark, and we… [Read More]
Let yourself be loved: a challenge for Lent
The sunlight obscures him in its intense brightness on the horizon, but I can still see his figure walking ahead as I follow at a distance. I have to run a little just to keep him in sight. I am wondering if he wanted some desert alone time and whether I should let him… [Read More]
The Mystery of Iniquity – Rejoicing in weakness
Each Lent it seems I come back to this theme – how do we think about sin and weakness? It’s been helpful for me to examine my own understanding – I can’t make much sense of redemption if I have a distorted view of the sin and weakness that necessitated such a Savior. And an unhealthy view… [Read More]
Sunday Says February 23, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
Second Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 27 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 This week’s first reading from the first book of the Bible is the story how God speaks to Abram to offer him descendants as numerous as the stars. In the second paragraph it becomes a little strange to our generation to hear… [Read More]
How to Stay Motivated During Lent
If you’re anything like me, you get to Day 6 of Lent and you start amending your sacrifices, making them easier and less painful. You may even have a conversation with yourself that looks like this: Scene: I’m quietly engaged in a task. My brain is wandering in thought. Suddenly, Brain taps me on the… [Read More]
What You Should Give Up for Lent, Based on Your Personality Type
Lent is just 9 days away (eeep!), and while you may not have discerned what to add and/or delete from your life for those 40-ish days, it’s most certainly on your mind. And if it wasn’t on your mind, it is now after reading that sentence! You’re welcome. As a just-for-fun, not-to-be-taken-too-seriously way to prepare… [Read More]
From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday: The Lord’s descent into the underworld
Our Catholic faith is incredibly rich. So instead of writing a new reflection, I’m sharing one of my favorite things to read during the Triduum. This is a from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday, date and homilist unknown. It is the Second Reading in the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday Liturgy of the Hours…. [Read More]
What My Husband Taught Me About Lent
This Lenten season is the first one Danger and I have experienced as husband and wife. We began the season as brand new parents, and didn’t spend much time discerning what our Lenten sacrifices would be, either individually and as a couple. At first, I declared I would give up Sonic for Lent. Those of you… [Read More]
Sunday Says – March 22, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Fifth Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 35 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) This is the fifth Sunday of Lent, the last Sunday before Holy Week. In many parishes, it is customary to veil crosses and images with purple cloth around the church in this time we call Passiontide. Reading 1 Jeremiah 31:31-34 This week’s first… [Read More]
The Fatherhood of Saint Joseph
This homily was given at St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Read the daily readings for this solemnity at USCCB’s daily readings page. Main Points of the Homily for the Feast of Saint Joseph Entrustment to the fatherhood of Saint Joseph Saint Joseph –… [Read More]
Sunday Says – March 15, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
March 15, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 32 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) This is another week where there are 2 different readings depending on whether there are scrutinies happening at the mass you attend this weekend. Those readings come from year A, and we are currently in year B. The fourth Sunday of… [Read More]
What Are You Ordering for Lent?
What are you ordering for Lent? The blue-plate Friday special with a big t-bone steak! Ha, just kidding! That’s not the kind of order I meant, but I couldn’t resist the silly pun. What are you ordering for Lent – in your life? In my last post I wrote about how changeful my Lenten season is… [Read More]
Sunday Says – March 8, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday, March 8, 2015 Third Sunday of Lent – Year A Scrutinies Lectionary: 28 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) Reading 1 Exodus 17:3-7 There are two different parts of Exodus that could be read for this week’s first reading. You will either hear the familiar story of the Prophet Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – March 1, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday, March 1, 2015 Second Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 26 Reading 1 Genesis 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18 This first reading from Genesis is the pivotal moment when Abraham is put to the final test by the Lord. This is the Akedah, as the Jewish call it, the binding of Isaac where we see the ultimate… [Read More]
Changes
Right now my life is going through many changes. I have a new job that signifies a new phase of my professional career. I moved into a new home in a new part of town, and there is a lot yet to be settled and figured out. It’s a whirlwind of a Lenten season, with… [Read More]
Sunday Says – February 22, 2015 Mass Reading Reflections
Sunday, February 22, 2015 First Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 23 (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Translation) Reading 1 Genesis 9:8-15 This week’s first reading from the book of Genesis recounts the familiar story of Noah. This segment picks up after the flood and focuses on the covenant of God with Noah, promising to not destroy the… [Read More]
3 Ways for 3 Days: How to Grow Spiritually During the Easter Triduum
Easter Triduum 2014 is upon us. It begins this Thursday evening. Yes, THIS Thursday, April 17, 2014. Are you ready? Are you sure? Okay, Pop Quiz time! I promise, it’s not too hard. Pop Quiz 1. What does the word Triduum mean? Answer: Three days. 2. When does Lent officially end and the Easter Triduum… [Read More]
Questions About Veiling the Cross in Passiontide
Lent is a slow build. With each passing week, we go deeper into the heart of the desert and seek a deeper dependence upon the Lord. We all know that the week leading up to the Paschal Triduum is Holy Week, but fewer know that the week before Holy Week is known as Passiontide. As… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – April 6, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday April 6, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection Fifth Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 34 This is Fifth Sunday of Lent, the last purple Sunday of this liturgical year. We are now only a week away from Holy Week, and the anticipation is growing. Reading 1 Ezekiel 37:12-14 This week’s first reading from the prophet Ezekiel… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – March 30, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday March 30, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection Sunday Says March 30, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Lent (NAB Readings)(Jerusalem Bible Translation) Lectionary: 31 This Sunday is a little different from the other Sundays in Lent. The liturgical color changes from purple to pink. It is a Laetare Sunday – a reason for some celebration. it’s… [Read More]
What Do We Do With Weakness?
I heard an answer long ago to this question that really stuck with me. It has helped me deal with my own weaknesses and short comings on my spiritual journey (I’ll tell it as best as I remember, I seem to have lent out the book* it came from). What do we do with weakness?… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – March 23, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday March 23, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection Third Sunday of Lent (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible Readings) Lectionary: 28 We’re now in the third week of Lent, almost half way there. This week, the tone of the readings signal a constant reminder of the opportunities that God provides for us. Reading 1 EX 17:3-7 Today’s… [Read More]
Almsgiving in Lent: Amplify Your 2014
During Lent, Catholics are asked to pray, fast and give alms. However, of the three, almsgiving is the most neglected. Prayer & Fasting We usually do pretty good on the prayer part. This is easy because our parishes help us with this one very well, providing increased opportunities for spiritual development at our parishes through… [Read More]
Slipping Up in Lent – Questions about Lenten Sacrifices
When we start Lent with a day like Ash Wednesday, it sets a somewhat somber tone for the season. This is a season of sacrifice, penance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Definitely sounds like a no-fun zone. Thinking about doing something that makes you happy? Save it for Easter! This is at least how many Catholics look… [Read More]
My Best hour: Making the most of Adoration this Lent
“I will lure her into the desert and speak to her heart,” says the Lord. (Hosea 2:14.) In a world that often seems like an unpleasant mardis gras, it is easy to see why God would want to call us aside for some quiet time with Him where He can be close to us… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – March 9, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
March 9, 2014 Readings and Reflection First Sunday of Lent (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible Readings) Lectionary: 22 We’re now in the season of Lent, our spiritual time in the desert as we prepare for the great season of Easter. It’s a time of penitential season, a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Reading 1 GN… [Read More]
Lent: A Time for Conversion
WHAT DOES LENT MEAN? Today we begin a very special season in our liturgical year, Lent. Our English word “Lent” is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word “lencten” which is roughly translated to mean Spring. So, like the season of spring, we are called to be rejuvinated, to be given life once again and to spread… [Read More]
Lent: 40 Days and 40 Ways
Every year I try to approach Lent anew. I don’t want it to ever grow old. Lent holds a dear place in my heart, as it always reminds me of the days that brought me up to my joining the Catholic Church in 1994. Those emotional memories are strong, and they have always assisted my… [Read More]
