Spirituality
Advent week one: Preparation, patience and memory
As the First Sunday of Advent approaches on Dec. 3, we welcome readers to use this first part in our four-week series as a way to prepare for Christmas, the feast of the Nativity of our Lord.
Give an Advent gift of hope to grow the light for the world
Lent has reminders of things we are "giving up," but Advent sneaks up on us. It is the great memory of the church that lets in light on a darkening world. So the next time we demand our own way, let's refuse to take it, and offer patient hope.
Advent prompts deepest of questions, leading to Jesus
What answer or hope are we waiting for at Advent? Why is life worth living? Jesus did not come simply to communicate a message, but to speak with every person. His first recorded statement was a question: "What are you looking for?"
How St. Joseph is an Advent model
St. Joseph is a bridge between Advent and Christmas because by not following his own good plan for life and accepting God's mission for him, Joseph fully found himself. God likewise is present in our lives and our world now.
Readings of the holy Mass – Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with these resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Using the image of a shepherd, Scripture sees a caring King
Reflecting on the feast of Christ the King, Msgr. Joseph Prior describes how our divine King loves and cares so much for his people that he identifies himself with them especially in their need.
Bless us, O Lord, so we may ‘live long and prosper’
Americans count their many blessings on Thanksgiving Day. But an ancient gesture, courtesy of Spock via “Star Trek” and Jewish worship, reminds Gina Christian that blessings are about relationships, not things.
Gratitude and good food makes a happy Thanksgiving
See our series on Thanksgiving Day including a look at the day's pervasive sense of holiness and community, an appreciation of the local foods you can spread upon your table and the biblical roots of an attitude of gratefulness.
Make your holiday holy, and maybe learn something new
It might not be an official "holy day," but for Father Herb Weber, a spirit of holiness pervades the day whose centerpiece is giving thanks, discovering unity and reaching out to others with traditions old and new.
Imitate the first Thanksgiving table by going local
What today we call the slow food movement has its roots in hunter-gatherer and small-farm communities -- like those of the grateful early settlers. See our recipe for locally sourced chestnut and sausage stuffing.