Yesterday was Epiphany Sunday. Although the Epiphany – the 12th Day of Christmas, celebrating the wise men’s visiting the infant Jesus – technically falls on Wednesday, we celebrate it on the nearest Sunday. I love the readings from yesterday’s Mass, because they tell a real story when you compare them. Here’s what I mean: I.… Continue reading The Gifts of the Magi
Tag: liturgical year
Happy Feast of the Holy Family!
Sunday is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The Gospel for this Sunday is Luke 2:41-52: Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they… Continue reading Happy Feast of the Holy Family!
Merry Christmas!
I hope everyone’s having a wonderful Christmas, getting plenty of family time in, and all that. If you find yourself on the computer today, I’ve got a few suggestions: Pope Benedict’s Christmas Homily These homilies are always good. Here’s the full thing, and here’s a taste: The first thing we are told about the shepherds… Continue reading Merry Christmas!
Some Christmas Eve Humor
Gentleman Farmer at Glib & Superficial posted a terribly funny post on Santa by denomination: Catholic Santa brings toys to all the little girls and boys who wrote letters to Mrs. Claus, because her appeals to Santa are particularly efficacious. You never know to whom Anglican Santa will bring toys, because he suffers from multiple… Continue reading Some Christmas Eve Humor
Give Up All You Have and Follow Me!
About a month ago, the Gospel reading was Mark 10:17-30: As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,knelt down before him, and asked him,“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?No one is good but God alone.You know the commandments: You… Continue reading Give Up All You Have and Follow Me!
Men’s Group Tonight on the Four Last Things
Any and all Catholic young men in the D.C/NoVA area are welcome to join us tonight at 314 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314 for men’s prayer group tonight. From 7-7:30, it’s fellowship, while the new guys introduce themselves and the old ones catch up on what’s been going on in their lives. At 7:30, it’s… Continue reading Men’s Group Tonight on the Four Last Things
Thought Experiments on Purgatory
Since yesterday was the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, more famously known as All Soul’s Day, I thought I’d present a few thoughts on purgatory. Some variation of this may have appeared on this blog before, but I’ve been sort of mulling it over recently, so forgive me if I repeat myself. Thought Experiment… Continue reading Thought Experiments on Purgatory
Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day
I. Sharing a Path With ChristYesterday, Fr. Ruskamp (a cross-stitcher for Christ) gave a pretty fascinating homily that I’d like to build off of a bit – what comes next is sort of a hybrid between his homily and my thoughts. The Second Reading was 1 John 3:1-3: Beloved: See what love the Father has… Continue reading Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Jen at Conversion Diary raises the question, and an interesting discussion follows. I tagged this post with my “liturgical year” tag because of the All Saint’s Day connection, which probably signals some of my bias. I view it in the same way that I view Mardi Gras, as a feast (of sorts) before a fast.… Continue reading Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Claptrap!
Often, Catholic practices are analyzed with the “where does it say to do THAT in the Bible” lens. Sometimes, this is on legitimate practices: knowing where sacramental confession or the ministerial priesthood comes from in the Bible is fundamental to understanding their import. But other times, it’s to things which are almost irrelevant. For example,… Continue reading Claptrap!