Long before the Second Vatican Council encouraged the development of the "lay apostolate," Frank Sheed and his wife, Maisie Ward, were hard at work building the church. For more than five decades, this couple personified what it means to be always ready to give "an accounting for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). Continue »

A beautiful Hebrew phrase appears at important times in the Old Testament: Hineni, Here I am! When God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham answers, "Hineni, Here I am!" (Genesis 22:1, NRSV). I am ready to do whatever you say. Moses hears a voice calling from the burning bush: "Moses, Moses," and he answers immediately: "Hineni, Here I am!" (Exodus 3:4). Isaiah receives his prophetic calling in a vision in which God says: "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" Isaiah cries out: "Hineni! Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8). Continue »

In Jesus’ Journey to the Cross: A Love unto Death, you will follow Jesus from his entrance into Jerusalem, through his last meal with his apostles, his struggle in Gethsemane, his arrest and trial, to his crucifixion and, finally, his resurrection from the dead. Continue »

In the opening words of his first encyclical, God Is Love, Pope Benedict XVI quotes words from the First Letter of John, which he says are a kind of summary of the Christian life: "We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us" (4:16). Coming to believe in God’s love, says the pope, describes the fundamental decision of our life. Continue »

A Bible discussion group is another key that can help us unlock the treasures of God’s word. Participating in a discussion or study group—whether through a parish, a prayer group, or a neighborhood—offers us the opportunity to grow not only in our love for God’s word but also in our love for one another. We don’t have to be trained Scripture scholars to benefit from discussing and studying the Bible together. Bible study groups provide environments in which we can worship and pray together and strengthen our relationships with other Christians. The following guidelines can help a group get started and run smoothly. Continue »

Let us thank God for the opportunity he has given us today to come here to pray together. We have come here especially to pray for peace, joy and love. We are reminded that Jesus came to bring the good news to the poor. He told us what that good news is when he said: "My peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you." He came not to give the peace of the world which is only that we don’t bother each other. He came to give the peace of heart which comes from loving—from doing good to others. Continue »