In a modern Christmas story, refugee families from Chile and Brazil travel more than 7,000 miles, mostly on foot, for two or three months. They're seeking new lives in Florida, but often find there's no room at the inn.
Horizons - In early 2021 I knew that the stress of my ministry wasn't sustainable. But crafting an intentional exit plan and exploring different ministry options seemed like an impossible luxury, given the relentless pace.
I am fond of the feast of the Epiphany: three people, traveling many miles, bearing gifts for a king, arrive to meet Jesus. The story reveals something more of the face of God, and perhaps that revelation, that epiphany, is the point.
A morning glory opens in a vacant lot. A fish bumps the surface of a lake. (Amen.) Falling on our knees we say all there is to say about how we are to be here. Our mere astonishment has ripples.
As people who share with Mary in her joy of Incarnation, let us become people of Visitation: moving out of our comfort zones and going out to share in the joy of others and mourn with those who are mourning.
What do the words "no room for you" sound and look like to people often not welcome in society? Do people who are often left out hear words of welcome that are not really welcoming? Do they hear voices that say, "Come in," but know they are not really wanted?
Contemplate This - We will have many choices to make in the months and years ahead. As the New Year begins, try to remember who you really are and how you will choose to respond to the future that is calling us.
Christmas among the poor and simple Indigenous people of the remote village of Ratanpur, in the Aizawl Diocese, was a unique experience. My heart remains there. I constantly ask myself if I can do something for them.
For Australians, celebrating Christmas down under is different. So for those to whom a hot Christmas is a foreign concept, here's a sun-tinged window into the reality.
Jesus issued the invitation: "Come follow me." His teachings, his invitation and his life are still with us today. Common as we may be, the rest is up to us. And how beautiful it is to be "common."
Kindly keep your physical eyes closed and inner eyes wide open. Decorations may sparkle this time of year, but pain and injustice abound. This pandemic Advent has brought a new light of interconnectedness and solidarity among people of goodwill who fearlessly advocate for peace and betterment of all.
The pandemic continues to show us that technology can be a lifeline, connecting humans to each other and critical services and care. The connectedness comes with a responsibility: to know the other and be part of their world — virtual and real.
Television depictions of snowy, glittery and cozy Christmas celebrations seem unattainable to those without the means or who live in warmer climates. While these traditions create memories, they're not what the holiday really means.
Horizons - As we reflect on the story of Christmas and prepare ourselves for Christ's coming in that moment, it's a good reminder that, like the shepherds, we are not the main character. We are not the Light. Jesus is.
Look around: Wisdom reveals herself now in new ways. The arts, the sciences, hold wisdom for those who know how to see. That's the meaning of incarnation, isn't it? God's infusion in this world, on this Earth, in this time.
For Filipino Catholics, Simbang Gabi is primarily an expression of filial devotion to the Virgin Mary. They accompany her for nine days as she anticipates the birth of her son. The novena helps Filipinos appreciate their faith more fully, prompts them to meditate on God's love and draws people closer to Jesus Christ.
Our Advent journey toward Christmas is a time when we come face to face with the Divine invitation of Jesus' incarnation. Every year, the celebration of Christ's birth calls us to actively discern how we can respond to the outpouring of God's love.
The future of the Pacific nation of Kiribati is difficult to predict and will require courageous decisions soon: Kiribati will need the assistance of Pacific neighbors. Good Samaritan communities are uniquely placed to accompany their Kiribati families, friends and neighbors into the future.
Horizons – On the first Friday of Advent, I thought of St. Joseph as I listened to a father tell the story of his holy family’s perilous journey from Honduras to Mexico and eventually, for part of his family at least, to the U.S.
It appears that the ones who clean and make our city what it is have no right to live in it, simply because they do not have the means to acquire a piece of land and find shelter. Where do we even begin?
