A significant aspect of our Lord’s miracles is the cooperation He requires of the people involved. Rarely does He heal someone without requiring something. He tells the paralytic to take up his mat and walk (cf. Mt 9:1-8), the man…

When God created Adam, He gave him a twofold task: to cultivate the Garden of Eden and to guard it (cf. Gn 2:15). Unfortunately for us, his failure to do the second crippled his ability to complete the first. But…

On the evening of March 24, 1522, Ignatius of Loyola went to the monastery of Montserrat. There he spent the night in prayer — standing or kneeling, but never resting or relaxing. He remained vigilant. At dawn, having placed his…

The scholar comes forward and, to test Jesus, asks Him an insincere question — or, rather, asks him a good question in an insincere manner: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Lk 10:25) Of course, our Lord…

Suppose someone suggested ending ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. After all, he would argue, it is a waste of manpower and resources. Those soldiers could be put to better use somewhere else. And,…

Every judge and jury knows the importance of a witness who can help establish the accused’s guilt or innocence. Every reporter treasures an eyewitness, but perhaps for the less noble reason of selling a story. Alas, even a high school…

Peter drew near the charcoal fire. It was a cold night and the fire offered him the warmth he desired. So he approached and warmed himself (Jn 18:18). By so doing he put himself in the company of his Lord’s…

All children argue. And the children of God are no exception. Indeed, sometimes we ought to have a good argument. No, we ought not fall into those petty fights and silly quarrels that we often do. But neither should we…

Traditionally, the Church has understood Our Lord’s three temptations in the desert as a summary of the temptations we face. St. Thomas observes, “The matter of all sins were included in the three temptations.” By this interpretation, Our Lord occupies…

We always attach particular importance to a president’s inaugural address. That speech captures the newly sworn-in president’s intentions and purpose for his term. It sets the tone and charts the course for the next four years. So we make special…