Interrupting the Silence

Category: Spirituality

  • The Choice – A Reflection on the Feast of the Holy Innocents

    Just a few days into Christmas and the liturgical calendar confronts us with the Feast of the Holy Innocents. “When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under” (Mt. 2:16).… Read more

  • The Life of Jesus: God’s Extreme Consideration for Humanity

    He did not shun; he chose. He did not shun the virgin’s womb; he chose a mother. He did not shun the human body; he chose flesh and blood. He did not shun the angel’s name; he chose a destiny. He did not shun the circumciser’s knife; he chose purity. He did not shun God’s… Read more

  • Boots and a Blue Bra, a Modern Nativity Scene

    This is the world into which Jesus is born. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall… Read more

  • St. Thomas and St. Joseph, Faithful Doubters

    How interesting that today, December 21, just four days before Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle. Think of Thomas and most will think about “Doubting Thomas.” Before we can get to the Nativity of our Lord, the manifestation of the incarnation, we must first face Thomas and his “doubts” about the resurrection.… Read more

  • St. John of the Cross on “Our Most Important Task”

    “Our most important task consists in remaining silent before this great God, silent with our desires as well as with our tongue. He understands only one language, that of silent love.” – St. John of the Cross in a letter to a Carmelite nun Related post: The Feast of St. John of the Cross –… Read more

  • Our Lady of Guadalupe

    Today, December 12, is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On this day in 1531 she appeared to an Indian peasant, Juan Diego, on Mount Tepeyac outside of Mexico City. The meeting of the Virgin and Juan is described in a text entitled Nican Mopohua. She identified herself with these words (translation by The… Read more

  • Witnesses and Interrogators – A Sermon on John 1:6-8, 19-28; Advent 3B

    The collect and readings for the Third Sunday of Advent may be found here. The following sermon focuses on the gospel, John 1:6-8, 19-28. There are, today’s gospel suggests, two ways of approaching life and God’s presence in the world. One way is demonstrated by John. The other way is demonstrated by the priests and… Read more

  • Expectations, Baggage, and God

    Remember packing for the last trip you took? Suitcases, backpacks, bags. Sometimes packing can be the most stressful part of the journey. What did you take? What did you leave behind? Why did you take what you did? Most of us, I suspect, pack for our trips based on our expectations of where we are… Read more