Monthly Archives: March 2019

Saint John of God, Religious (Optional Memorial) This, rather, is the fasting that I wish. (Isaiah 58:6) Of the three practices that we focus on in Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—it’s the last that we can find the most challenging, especially … Continue reading →

Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs (Optional Memorial) If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23) Ed was in the habit of spending chunks of his weekends … Continue reading →

Turning from Self to God An Examination of Conscience for Lent If you want your prayers to fly to God, equip them with the two wings of fasting and almsgiving This good advice from St. Augustine encourages us to pursue … Continue reading →

Ash Wednesday Do not blow a trumpet before you. (Matthew 6:2) Let’s say you were an avid jogger. Every morning, rain or shine, you were out on the road, getting your three miles in. How often do you think you … Continue reading →

Ash Wednesday signals the beginning, in the Church, of a season of purification and renewal, and of a time during which God pours out his loving compassion and peace for all in need We beseech you on behalf of Christ, … Continue reading →

8th Week in Ordinary Time The last will be first. (Mark 10:31) We all have areas of our lives that frustrate us: the way we can’t stop yelling at our kids, that chip on our shoulder that we can’t seem … Continue reading →

Saint Casimir (Optional Memorial) Jesus, looking at him, loved him. (Mark 10:21) Let’s begin looking at this passage by thinking about what Jesus is not doing here. He isn’t trying to trick this man. He’s not trying to discourage him or tell … Continue reading →