Today's Readings: Baruch 1:15-22Psalms 79:1-5,8-9Luke 10:13-16 For a deeper understanding of the mission to which all Christians are called, it is useful to start from the words of Jesus in Lk 10:13-16, and then turn to the prayer of Bar 1:15-22, thus shedding light on the history of Israel of God, which is made up … Continue reading Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi →

Rebuilding the Wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3-4). Wood engraving, published in 1886. Today's Readings: Nehemiah 8:1-4a,5-6,7b-12Psalms 19:8-11Luke 10:1-12 The books of Ezra and Nehemiah describe, in an epic of faith, important moments of the restoration of the community of the People of God in the ancient land of the fathers after the Babylonian exile. Amidst … Continue reading Restoration of the Community →

Today's Readings: Nehemiah 2:1-8Psalms 137:1-6Matthew 18:1-5, 10 The two readings of today’s liturgy, Neh 2:1-8 and Mt 18:1-5,10, can be understood as fundamental expressions of a missionary spirituality for our time. Nehemiah, previously introduced as the king’s cupbearer (see Neh 1:11b) in the royal Persian court, bears in his heart a living and painful memory … Continue reading Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels →

Day 1 Today's Readings: Zechariah 8:20-23Psalms 87:1b-7Luke 9:51-56 The prophecy of Zechariah 8:20-23 nourishes the hope of the people of God, who await its fulfillment in the universal pilgrimage of peoples to Jerusalem at the end of time (see Zec 8:22). The book of Zechariah, located in the penultimate place among the Twelve Prophets, is … Continue reading Memorial of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus →

by Nancy Schramm ofs Some of the most important words someone can say to loved ones are those spoken right before departing, whether it be before a long trip or when one is preparing to go home to God, our Father. These words of Jesus resound in our ears, because it was exactly at the … Continue reading October 2019: World Mission Sunday and the Extraordinary Missionary Month →

During these dog days of summer, I am blessed with a bit of down-time when I can reflect on the year past and make some plans for the next year.  Most recently I have been reflecting on 2019’s mission experience. 2019 rolled-in in its usual sneaky fashion: I hover above the Manila fireworks in a … Continue reading Building Houses, Building Homes →