In the Gospel of Luke, we hear those famous mantras of Jesus: “love your enemies,” “do good to those who hate you,” “bless those who curse you,” “pray for those who mistreat you,” “turn the other cheek.” Whoa, we might be saying! Not so fast! Not so easy! All of […]

For Saint Ignatius of Loyola the discernment of spirits is a way by which we come to understand God’s will for us.  The practice of the Examen, a technique developed by St. Ignatius, is meant to be a short, “quarter of an hour” prayerful reflection on the events of the day […]

I remember a day when a close friend invited me to his home. I had never been to his place and really had no idea how to get there. He sent me his address and, after setting up the GPS in the navigation system, I took off. On the road, […]

I was a dreamer as a child. I was happy going to my parents’ farm, walking through rough and bulky terrain, admiring the thickness of the woods with its leafy trees and chirping birds. With an adventurous soul, I remember having hiked up a small mountain all by myself, without […]

In today’s gospel, foreigners seem to enjoy more success than the people of Israel. Jesus encountered opposition and rebuke from people in his hometown, especially when he reminded them that it was often “outsiders” or “others” who benefitted from God’s mercy before the Chosen People. The Build the Faith community […]

I find great meaning in the words of Jesus when He says: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32)  Even after the resurrection, the first and the last apparition of the Risen Christ recorded in the gospel, was to notorious sinners.  First, He […]

Last year, during Lent, a friend and I decided that instead of giving UP something we would DO something.  Because my friend had had a trying experience on the road that morning, we pledged to try to be less aggressive and more polite when we were driving our cars.As I […]

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, Plans for your welfare not for woe!  Plans to give you a future full of hope. (Jeremiah 29: 11)Plans: I have always been a planner.  When I was a child, every single year, I would start planning […]

There is a beautiful telling of the Nativity Story found in a small Germanic village which might shine light for us upon the prophetic words we hear this Epiphany Sunday from the great Prophet Isaiah: “Rise up in splendor, Jeru­salem! Your light has come, the glory of the LORD shines […]