Faith & Spirituality

This Sunday’s Gospel: Trials and Unity

by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. April 26, 2013

Often Christians act surprised when they try to do good and things don’t go according to plan.  Sometimes it’s small but irritating annoyances that get in the way, other times serious calamities.
The Bible says that “He shall wipe every…

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Scripture Speaks: An Outbreak of God’s Glory

by Gayle Somers April 26, 2013

At the Last Supper, Jesus announces that His betrayal by Judas begins an outbreak of God’s glory.  How can this be?
Gospel (Read Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35)
St. John tells us that after Satan had entered Judas, driving him out into…

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Eastertime: A Feast of Faith, Hope and Love

by Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. April 24, 2013

A friend once described the spiritual life in this way: Each of us is a child with an instinct for beauty, and God, who is the Beauty behind all beauty, is the hidden presence we naturally seek to touch. We…

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Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice

by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. April 19, 2013

What was the response to Jesus’ preaching, according to the New Testament?  Some who heard him were impressed; others wanted to push him over a cliff (Luke 4:29).  The same was true for Paul and Barnabas during their missionary journeys. …

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Praying With Our New Pope

by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez April 18, 2013

I am writing to you this week from Rome! As I write you this, I have just returned from concelebrating a private Mass with our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, in his chapel at the Domus Sanctae Marthae (“St. Martha’s…

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A Spring “Yes”

by Sarah Reinhard April 17, 2013

It’s that time of year when I start to question my approach to productivity. It’s that time of year when I remember why the outdoors is one of my favorite places to be. It’s that time of year when I’m…

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Scripture Speaks: Third Sunday of Easter

by Gayle Somers April 12, 2013

During Christ’s Passion, Peter stood near the warmth of a charcoal fire and denied knowing Him.  Today, Jesus and Peter meet again near a charcoal fire.  Why?
Gospel (Read Jn 21:1-19)
St. John tells us that an appearance of Jesus…

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This Sunday’s Gospel: Feed My Lambs

by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. April 12, 2013

On many occasions I’ve heard non-Catholics object to the papacy.  Often, they say something like this: “I just can’t believe that one man on earth, the Pope, is holier than everyone else.”  So who ever said that being sinless is…

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Our New Pope’s Challenging Vision

by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez April 11, 2013

I wish all of you and your families Easter blessings! This was a joyful Easter for me and I was touched to see so many of you at our services at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. In…

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The Liturgy of the Hours Isn’t What You Think

by Stephen Beale April 11, 2013

Chances are you have probably heard of the Liturgy of the Hours, but if the size and cost of a complete four-volume set didn’t ward you off, the dizzying maze of Psalms, antiphons, ribbons, and red-colored directions certainly did.
The…

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