On August 9, 2016, in Rome, Italy, four policemen were called to the home of Michele, a 94-year-old man, and Jole, his 89-year-old wife.
Category: Columns
Jeremy’s empty egg reflects his Easter heart
The hearts of Doris Miller’s students danced with Easter joy. A week before she had given each student a hollow plastic Easter egg.
Appreciating invisible grace of the Eucharist
Ever since our children were little, I’ve strived to explain to them the mystery of transubstantiation — the point at which, under the appearance of bread and wine, the substance of the Eucharist becomes the Body and Blood of Christ.
Begin again
The Fourth Week of Lent can seem like the 13th mile of a marathon. Will I ever reach the finish line? How much longer until Easter?
Lent: A time to let Christ’s light shine
A painter had a bad habit of thinning paint which enabled him to submit lower bids.
Cleaning out dressers of our hearts this Lent
One time long ago, I found my husband contentedly reading in bed, unknowingly wearing a paint-smattered art smock as a pajama top.
Call to continual conversion
Next week, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 2. Year after year, we come to the Lenten season soon after the joyful Christmas season ends.
A healthy sense of humor is good medicine
When I was a pastor, I was invited to lunch by the parish’s ladies group. The group gave me a Christmas present. At the presentation, one of the group’s leaders told a joke as she presented my present.
Humility before God should direct songs in our hearts
Freezing outdoor temperatures make for some interesting interactions between siblings who are stuck indoors together for long periods of time.
Ordinary Encounters
After the joyous celebrations of the Christmas season, the Church has returned to Ordinary Time. Nativity scenes, family gatherings, and gift-giving all lead us to encounter Christ in the Christmas season.