Lent is a time set aside to turn back to the Lord. If you are looking for a heavenly companion for your Lenten journey this year, St. Mary Magdalen is a great choice. What we know about her life teaches us some good lessons.
I love meditating on the Epiphany. Although the Liturgical feast commemorates three different manifestations of the Lord (the coming of the Magi from the East, the Baptism of the Lord, and Jesus’ miracle at Cana changing water into wine), we tend to focus on the Magi. These mysterious
visitors, who seem a little out of character with the stable at Bethlehem add a sparkle of color, an aroma of the East, a touch of “bling” to the manger scene. Their presence at the manger remind us that our God is full of surprises who delights in paradox and fulfills all prophecies to the fullest.
What's in a name? On January 3rd, the Church has given her children the optional memorial to celebrate the the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. This is a wonderful feast to celebrate, for the Lord Jesus' name is a powerful weapon against the devil and a great cry of praise to God. We know from Scripture that Jesus was given his name by the angel Gabriel, when he came to Joseph and Mary to announce the birth of Jesus.
On this Feast of All Saints we come together as Church to honor not only the Saints that we know, but also all those known only to God, who no matter what their station or state in life, have lived manfully the gospel of Christ and now enjoy the blissful vision of God for ever in Heaven. It is certainly a day to rejoice and thank God for the many graces and crowns given to these holy men and women. To move ourselves to strive after the virtues that they expressed by their lives and to implore mercy from God through their powerful intercessions.
Dear Friends in Christ,
The season of Lent is upon us. The Church, in her wisdom, sets aside 40 days to draw our attention back to the purpose of our lives here on earth. Prayer, fasting, and alms giving are the antidotes to our many faults and failings, to those aspects of our lives that need to be cleansed in the Lord's grace.
Prayer draws us into a deeper conversion and renewal of heart, which helps us to live more fully the promises made at our baptism. Fasting strengthens our skills of self denial. Giving alms, either materially or in the form of acts of kindness and compassion are tools used to spread the light of Christ to others.
