On this feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, God’s word invites reflection on the joys, responsibilities and challenges of family life in the light of Christian faith and discipleship.
Sunday Scriptures
Choose and Use Your Words Wisely
ST. GABRIEL, the Archangel, delivers a message in today’s Gospel that alters the course of salvation history. It is perhaps the greatest message that can ever be delivered – that God is making due on His long promise of bringing a Savior into the world.
Don’t Get Carried Away With Yourself
by Father Michael Panicali
EVERY BIG-NAME comedian or music group knows the importance of having a good warm-up act work the crowd before they have to take the stage.
Allow God to Pave Your Path
MY DAD, the late Eugene Panicali, had a penchant for blasting the sitting mayor or governor every time he’d go over a pothole or a rut in the road – as if the politician were personally responsible for the crater that threw his wheels out of alignment.
Choose Well, Be Ready
By choice, we can live in the joy and freedom and understanding – and we can receive the graces of the Holy Spirit – that come with fully participating in the life of the Church. It really is that simple.
Loyalty Must Be Whole-Hearted
by Msgr. Joseph P. Calise
IN 1943, COLUMBIA Records re-introduced a song that was written and first released in 1939. It was composed by Arthur Altman (music) and Jack Lawrence (lyrics). Sung by Frank Sinatra, the song was “All or Nothing at All.”
Giving Thanks for Life’s Blessings
EVER SINCE I was a kid, this was a special time of year. I have always liked the brisk weather of fall and the magic of the leaves changing colors. Nature comes so alive at this time of year that its energy is contagious.
Careful Vigil Makes For a Joyful Dawn
EVER SINCE THE 2007 film “The Bucket List” was released, the concept of writing one has become quite popular. As a matter of fact, when I put the words “bucket list” into the Amazon search box, it came up with 1,299 results!
Be Open to the Power of Grace
by Msgr. Joseph P. Calise
THE READINGS of today’s liturgy are not the readings I would have chosen for Vocation Awareness Sunday. I would probably have opted for something with a softer, gentler invitation to consider Christ’s invitation to follow Him with a promise of divine assistance. However, the readings do present an appropriate message for today – a challenge to the ordained that contains within it a call to reflection for those seeking their God-centered path in life.
Go, Learn and Live The Greatest Law
by Sister Karen M. Cavanagh, C.S.J.
“BROTHERS AND SISTERS … you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word of God even in suffering but with joy from the Holy Spirit so that you might be a model for all around you who are believers.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5c)