Spirituality
Justice, peace won’t happen without hard work
The Second Sunday of Advent calls us toward a world of harmony, and to endurance in the struggle to bring it about. Much work is still to be done, so writer Mike Nelson urges, "Let's get busy."
What we can learn from John the Baptist, a man for Advent
The Baptist who cries out "Prepare the way of the Lord" is a figure rooted in the Old Testament and an example of one driven by the Spirit that Christians witnessed after Jesus' resurrection.
Readings of the Holy Mass: Second Sunday of Advent
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.
Advent: Putting your house in order before Christ’s return
With the busy-ness of life, time is short, but the time also is now to repent and prepare a welcome by recognizing the Lord in each other, reflects Msgr. Joseph Prior on the Second Sunday of Advent.
Mary had grace from the start, but we can catch up
While teaching catechism to a rowdy group of preteens, Gina Christian learns that the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is tricky -- but ultimately reminds us we're all called to follow the example of Christ's mother.
Waiting well means having hope
It’s not a matter of if Jesus will arrive, but when he will arrive, writes Gary Zimak, who offers five lessons from the Book of Tobit that can transform both Advent and everyday life.
Great faith sprouts from small, humble actions, pope says
God makes his presence known not by those who claim to have great faith but by those who are little and humble, Pope Francis said.
God invites us to enter into a divine dialogue
A passage from Isaiah reminds Patrick Walsh that the Lord continually speaks to us, and he longs for us to answer in heartfelt conversation and praise.
Happy Place, not real happiness, in a mall near you
The 13 multi-sensory rooms in a new store at the King of Prussia Mall might be a fun diversion, but Kim Griffin shows how the Beatitudes point the way to life in the Spirit now, and eternally in heaven.
Christ is with us at every step, even when we don’t know the way
Cathy Peacock tells the story of Deacon Dan Mazurek's death-defying youth, and how as a young adult on a college retreat, he came to know the joy of life in Jesus Christ.