We’re often urged to “pray for vocations.” Almost always, this is meant as an encouragement to ask God for more priests and religious for service to the church. More »

In the Gospel of Mark, the first written notice that there were women who followed Jesus to Jerusalem actually appears near the end (15:40, 47; 16:1). Mark notes the presence of such women as silent witnesses to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. More »

Have you ever tried to clean a sidewalk, a driveway, or a concrete patio? Of course, scrubbing and scrubbing with hot water will wipe away some of the dirt, but if you want to restore it to its original whiteness, you need something more.
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The somber chant of the Miserere (Psalm 51) on Ash Wednesday instills within us the spirit of this season of repentance: More »

Lent is a season rich in symbols and meaning. Even if you are trying to stay at home because of the pandemic, here are some suggested ways to help you and your family grow spiritually during Lent. More »

“Do old things,” God whispered to me, as I asked him what I ought to do with all the time I now found on my hands. Shattering my ankle in six places had definitely not been on the agenda for my life. The accident had forced me to be off my feet for six months, and I had little to keep me occupied. More »

Mary and Joseph come to the temple, the center of Israel’s faith, to carry out two Jewish customs: the mother’s purification on the fortieth day after childbirth (Leviticus 12:1-8) and the consecration of the first-born son (Exodus 13:1-2, 11-16). Jesus’ parents are observant Jews who greatly respect the Mosaic law and conscientiously fulfill its requirements (Luke 2:22, 23, 24, 27, 39). More »

Did you know that the Hebrew word “selah” occurs seventy times in thirty-nine of the psalms? While we don’t know for certain what it means, many biblical scholars believe that selah was a musical term used to indicate a pause in a song, whether for emphasis or for reflection. More »