Christianity is a paradox, isn’t it? On the one hand, Jesus saved us when he died and rose again. Our sins are washed away, and we don’t have to live under a cloud of fear, anxiety, or guilt any more. But on the other hand, even a quick look at our lives shows us that a lot of “saving” still remains for him to do. After all, none of us is perfect! More »

John 5:2-9 Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. More »

From a homily by Pope Francis given in Havana, Cuba, September 20, 2015: More »

Shortly after midnight, I awoke from sleep to discover that my husband had not yet come to bed. This had happened before, but on that fateful night something prodded me to get up. More »

Jesus’ way of presenting the Holy Spirit made it evident that his followers were supposed to relate to the Spirit as a teacher, a counselor, a consoler—as someone who would help and guide them in their daily lives as Christians. In the Acts of the Apostles, we saw that Christ’s followers were in a dialogue with the Spirit, who actively directed and assisted them in their missionary activity. More »

After Jesus’ ascension, the apostles gather in the upper room. “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers: (Acts 1:14).
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"MMaaarrrrrrkkkkkkkkk!” She shouted, letting all in our suburban utopia know that my presence was needed at home immediately. I could always tell when my mother was worried about my whereabouts. More »

It could never happen to me. But as I peered at the results of the pregnancy test, I saw that it had. My promiscuous lifestyle had caught up with me. The man with whom I had had an intimate encounter had only been in my life for a few weeks; I would never see or speak to him again. More »