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Feast of the Holy Innocents
Today’s readings | Today’s feast (more) On the face of it, this is just a horrible feast. The slaughter of many innocent children is a stark and frightening juxtaposition to the joy and glory of the Christmas Octave. The numbers of children actually murdered is variously estimated. Early estimates were in the thousands, but more…
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The Nativity of the Lord
Today (tonight), we gather to celebrate that GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES. God promises us salvation. Even though we were lost, having wandered far away from our God, preferring to pursue our own bleak interests and passions, even though we had turned away from the One who formed us and gave us his very breath that…
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Whether Santa Claus Exists?
Feeling kinda scroogey? This will put it all in perspective for you. The ancient question of the existence of Santa Claus is settled by the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas. I had no idea he had addressed the topic. Then again, he did write on just about everything before calling it all so much straw……
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The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today’s readings I don’t know about how it’s been for you, but this has been kind of a strange Advent for me. I suppose some of that is because, being newly ordained, I am taking a new role in all the celebrations of the season. But that’s not it entirely, I don’t think. Advent began…
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O Emmanuel
Today’s Readings O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. The greatest title of our Lord, the reason for our celebration of Advent and Christmas, is today’s antiphon, “O Emmanuel.” Emmanuel, as we well know, means “God is with us” and this…
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O Key of David
Today’s readings O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom. The one with the keys has power, as well as…
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O Sacred Lord
Today's readings During the last days of Advent, from the 17th of December until Christmas Eve, we celebrate a very holy and sacred time. During this time our expectation of the Lord's return increases and we turn up the heat, as it were, on our call to repentance and renewal. Each of those days we…
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Third Sunday of Advent: Rejoice in God’s Promise of Renewal
Today’s readings Today’s Scripture readings remind me of some kind of street festival with all of God’s faithful people shouting in praise. Just listen to some of the exclamations we hear today: “Gaudete! Rejoice!” This third Sunday of Advent has traditionally been called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin for the very first word in…
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John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Today’s readings | Today’s saint A long time ago now, someone once gave my family an ornament for our Christmas tree. It was very curious: basically just a large nail hung from a green ribbon. You probably already know the significance of the nail: when looking at the manger, we remember the cross. When gazing…
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Advent Reconciliation Service
Readings: Malachi 3:1-7 and Luke 3:3-17 I have to say that Advent is one of my favorite times of the year. As a person who prays with music, the hymns of Advent just speak to me of the hopeful expectation that we live during this season. I find that the gradual progression of lights on…
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