January 5, 2011
January 5, 2011
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Gifts of the Epiphany

This week we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, when the Oriental nobles circumnavigated Herod’s schemes and followed the star to the Infant King, and bestowing upon him the unlikeliest of baby gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Although his parents must have scratched their heads as they gazed upon the treasure, within days the sense of it crystallized as they hurriedly loaded their donkey and fled, the wails of their neighbors rending the air as the Holy Family passed the city gates. The presence of the Gentile kings in the life of Christ was an indication that the Messiah had come from the Jews, but not for them alone. God’s covenant … […]
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August 28, 2009
August 28, 2009
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Weekend Ponderings: Uncertainties and Surprises

At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Today’s Gospel is a sober one. It is no exaggeration to say that I […]
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July 31, 2009
July 31, 2009
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Weekend Ponderings: Life (and death) of young, vibrant Catholic girl inspires many to come back to the Church

Gloria Strauss was just 13 when she died of cancer. This young, vibrant Catholic has inspired many to come back to the Church. This story touched me because of how her cancer was discovered, very much the same way — and at the same age — my sister’s bone cancer was found. In Chris’ case, a horse kick make her knee swell to the size of a grapefruit (which is big, on a seven-year-old). The first doctor said it was a crushed bone … a few weeks later, they found the tumor. Chris survived, and went on to have two beautiful children (one of whom […]
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January 2, 2008
January 2, 2008
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Weekend Ponderings: Keeper of the Grief

From Matthew 2: And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. Myrrh is a precious ointment used both in funeral  rites in the Roman world as well as priestly anointing […]
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