|I have always been struck by the simplicity of the Annunciation story. There is so much drama here, but the story is told in such a straight-forward and direct way that the drama takes second seat to the reality of the ...

"YES"|And Mary said, "Yes," to God's messenger. "May it be as you say."|As a young girl, I was fascinated by this story of a young woman (not too aware that she might have been a young teenager) who said 'yes' to her God ...

I'm imagining her as an older, modern woman _ gray haired, wearing slacks and a sweater, calm, wise and compassionate. Over coffee she's explaining how she has survived her life.|| It started the day that an angel turned ...

The messenger greeted her warmly. How could this be? Who was she to be blessed among women? She was of no importance. It must be a mistake.|Still she listened. The promise was strange: she was to give birth by the power ...

|Just a few days ago Pope Francis, in his daily homily, preached about the same pattern we can see stretched between the first and last readings on today's feast of the Immaculate Conception. He preached about: fear and ...

This week we began the second part of Lent. All the gospels are from The Gospel according to John. We get the sense and feel of the approaching rejection Jesus will face in Jerusalem. Even as we enter into the story, we ...

"O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge."||The first reading gives us a quick look into Jeremiah's mind and heart. As a prophet, he suffered for his message and his identity. He was misjudged, maligned, and rejected. Today's ...

In the Feast of the annunciation, the Church celebrates the wondrous proclamation of the fullness of God's saving will. The rich banquet of biblical texts assigned to today's Mass provides extraordinary insight into the ...

It is always a striking juxtaposition to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation in the heart of the Lenten fast. In the midst of the desert we come upon this wondrous feast with all its Christmas resonance. But if we paid ...

It is three months today since Christmas and so it is the day the Catholic Church celebrates the day of Mary's conceiving of Jesus. "Sacrifice and offerings You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me." It is ...