Spirituality
The littlest acts of mercy might be the biggest
Msgr. Joseph Prior unpacks the readings for this Sunday's liturgy, including the Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan. We might not face such urgency today, but we're all called to show compassion every day.
Readings of the holy Mass – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Look up at the stars and down at the dew, and adore the Creator
Michelle Francl-Donnay reflects on her stint this summer at the Vatican Observatory facing the grandeur of the created universe. The sight of Saturn's rings made her stammer about God.
Begin again today, and banish the blues of acedia
Effie Caldarola looks at her own bad attitude and finds in Benedictine spirituality, still practiced today, ways to look beyond the closed circle of herself and brighten up right now.
It won’t be easy, but we’re on a mission from Christ
The joy of the 72 disciples sent into the world by Jesus in Sunday’s Gospel reading can be ours as well, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior, as we invite others to share in the life of Christ.
Readings of the holy Mass – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary time
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Fear closes, prayer opens believers to God’s surprises, pope says
Prayer is "the main way out: the way out for the community that risks closing up inside itself because of persecution and fear," he said during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica June 29.
If church prayed to convert Russia, why not pray for Islamic extremists now?
Father Ken Doyle reviews the history of prayer for "the afflicted people of Russia," and why we should continue to pray to end violence while respecting the Muslim religion. He also pans the use of names for communicants.
How can Catholics justify hospice care?
Father Ken Doyle explains a reader's questions about Catholic moral teaching and end-of-life-care in a hospice. He also advises a mother on the matter of her son's wedding in a Protestant church.
In a thunder of motorbikes, ‘riding sweep’ means leading by sacrifice
Avid motorcyclist Gina Christian reflects on a leader who makes himself last in line and first to assist on every mile of the journey down earthly and spiritual roads.