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To be in God’s hands

By Effie Caldarola
Like most Catholics, I planned for Lent. I had my list of suggested goals of give ups and to-dos. I like to be in control. There are aspects of this personality trait that are positive, but essentially wanting control is often a futile endeavor. So on the morning of “Shrove Tuesday” or Mardi Gras depending […]
3/15/17
Reading Time 3 min

Persuasive disciples, not anarchic disrupters

By George Weigel
We are living through a dangerous moment in our national life, of an intensity and potential for destruction unseen since 1968. Then, a teenager, I watched U.S. Army tanks patrol the streets of Baltimore around the African-American parish where I worked. Now, a Medicare card carrier, I’m just as concerned about the fragility of the […]
3/15/17
Reading Time 3 min

Contrition and forgiveness

By Fr. Robert J. Wagner
Gospel Commentary Jn 4:5-42 The encounter between Jesus Christ and the Samaritan woman offers a glimpse of the powerful transformation that is possible when we greet the Lord with faith. There was a turning point when the conversation changed from confusing banter between the Son of God and a person who did not recognize Him […]
3/15/17
Reading Time 3 min

Fasting creates space for prayer

By Carol Zimmermann
WASHINGTON — There is no getting around fasting during Lent.   Not only is it one of the three pillars of spiritual practice along with prayer and almsgiving, but it also bookends the period of preparation for Easter.   Fasting and abstinence is required of adult Catholics, ages 18-59, at the start of Lent on […]
3/8/17
Reading Time 4 min

A sign along the way

By Fr. Stanley Krempa
Gospel Commentary Mt 5:17-37 The words of God to Abram at the beginning of today’s reading from Genesis, “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk … to a land that I will show You” take us to the heart of Lent. It is easy for us to drift from the Lord, to wander from […]
3/8/17
Reading Time 3 min

A divided church?

By Richard Doerflinger
We sometimes hear that American Catholics are divided: Some advance the church’s teaching on abortion, others promote its teachings on peace and economic justice. And those factions are at war.   I seldom saw this among the bishops or their national staff, where I once served. We each had areas of expertise, but we knew we […]
3/8/17
Reading Time 3 min

The discipline of self-denial

By Russell Shaw
Up here in the northern half of the planet, where Lent coincides with the end of winter and the onset of spring, the imagery of rebirth and rejuvenation accompanying these natural events carries a powerful message: Shake off spiritual lethargy and be renewed in grace. Unlike in the natural world, spiritual rebirth doesn’t take place […]
3/8/17
Reading Time 3 min

Toward a fruitful Lent

By Elizabeth Foss

Lent is a good time for self-control awareness, for strengthening our exercise of self-control, because Jesus reminds us that “if any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23). Everyday life calls for self-control. We will be called to take up our crosses daily and actually carry them. 

3/7/17
Reading Time 3 min

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