Culture
The books discussed in this article illustrate how Jews and Christians have repeatedly gone back to the Bible to shape their present and future. Though it is an ancient book, the Bible has always been and still remains a source of life, renewal and challenge. Alan D. Callahan’s The Talking Boo
The Word
Throughout the season of Lent the Scripture readings emphasize the themes of repentance conversion and forgiveness of sins They offer a consoling and hopeful message that we all need to hear at various times in our lives Today rsquo s passages develop those themes and challenge us to understand w
The Word
nbsp On the Second Sunday of Lent it is customary to read about the transfiguration of Jesus This episode emphasizes by way of anticipation the glorious aspects of the risen Jesus while noting that what awaits Jesus in Jerusalem is suffering and death I want to place today rsquo s readings in th
The Word
In the church rsquo s calendar Lent is a period of preparation for the solemn celebration of Jesus rsquo death and resurrection the paschal mystery at the end of Holy Week On the First Sunday of Lent it is customary to read the account of the testing or temptation of Jesus Since Jesus had been
The Word
Love of one rsquo s enemies is among Jesus rsquo most distinctive characteristic and difficult teachings Most of us have a hard enough time loving our family and friends or even loving ourselves But to do good to those who hate us bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us see
Arts & CultureBooks
In the past few years we have been exposed to displays of moral evil 9 11 01 and natural catastrophes the tsunami in 2004 hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 At each point the question ldquo Why rdquo occupied many of us The ldquo religious rdquo discussion too often came down to whether
The Word
What is happiness Where is it to be found Who is happy These questions arise in every generation and in every culture In our early 21st-century American situation it seems that for most of us happiness consists in having money and other possessions ensuring that our material needs and desires
The Word
Christian spirituality is discipleship that is a positive response to the call of Jesus despite or even because of our personal unworthiness In answering this call we have the examples of Simon Peter and other biblical figures like Isaiah and Paul who are led by the Holy Spirit Today rsquo s
The Word
Today rsquo s selection from Luke rsquo s Gospel continues the narrative begun last Sunday The setting is the synagogue at Nazareth Jesus has read passages from the book of Isaiah concerning the anointed prophet of God and declared that ldquo today rdquo this passage was being fulfilled in him
FaithThe Word
In 2007 the Sunday Gospel reading is almost always from Luke The first part of today rsquo s text Luke 1 1-4 is the Evangelist rsquo s preface in which he explains how and why he wrote this Gospel Luke sought to provide an orderly account based on traditions about Jesus rsquo birth teaching