What could possibly have motivated the wise men to leave their homes and undertake a long, hard desert journey? Continue »

In her autobiography, "The Story of a Soul", St. Thérèse of Lisieux describes an inner struggle that many of us can relate to. As she describes it, she was oversensitive, overly dependent on other people’s opinions of her, and convinced that her happiness was dependent on her ability to please others. Continue »

Go outside on a clear day and look at the sun. See how generously it pours light upon the whole earth. Continue »

Scripture tells us that certain people were filled with great expectation when Jesus was about to be born. Both Mary and Joseph knew this child was very special. Anna and Simeon were in the Temple, waiting eagerly for the Messiah. Zechariah and Elizabeth and the baby John were excited about the coming birth of Jesus as well as their own role in this amazing act of God. Each of these people in their own way had a sense that God was about to do something very important. Continue »

On this feast of the Immaculate Conception, we read the story of our first parents’ fall and God’s promise of salvation through an offspring of Eve (Genesis 3). Continue »

By late August, my friend Helen takes on a panicked, wild-eyed look. "It’s Christmas,” she replies when I ask what’s bothering her. “I’ve got so much to do to get ready!” Continue »