We are now just a few days away from Christmas. At this point, the decorations are mostly up. The gifts have been purchased, wrapped, or at least they’ve been bought. We’re busy running around to all those Christmas events and parties with friends. And yet the Church is stepping in, gently interrupting us, and asking…
In our First Reading today, Isaiah gives us an image that kind of sticks with us. He tells us about a stump. Not a tree grown tall, lifting its branches toward the sky. Not a young sapling full of energy and a symbol of vitality. Nope, he talks about a stump. Something cut down. Something…
On the first Sunday of the new liturgical year, the Church does something that is a little unexpected. She doesn’t ease us into the new year gently. She doesn’t take us to a cozy scene from Bethlehem or give us a comforting word about new beginnings. Instead, the year opens with what feels like a…
We are now in the final days of the Advent Season and we find ourselves standing on the threshold of Christmas. This beautiful season of preparation is almost complete and yet the Church calls us today to pause once more and reflect on the important question: are we truly ready – not just for the…
As we come to Mass today, we officially begin the season of Advent. It is not only the beginning of a new liturgical year within the Church, but, most importantly, it brings about a time of preparation and anticipation for the coming of our Lord at Christmas. Throughout this season, the Church invites us to…
Throughout the centuries, there has been a lot said about Joseph and what was likely going on in his heart when he found out that Mary was pregnant with a child that was not his own. Think about it. In a binding religious ceremony, he had become betrothed to Mary; he publicly stated his commitment…
The message that is given to us from the Prophet Isaiah this morning is one of great hope. He’s not only talking about the restoration of the people of Israel from captivity and exile in Babylon, but he is speaking to them about the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah is trying to instill this sense…
Today we light the second candle in our Advent wreath, known as the Bethlehem Candle. As I said in my homily last weekend, it symbolizes peace and preparation. It should invite us to a moment of reflection: are we making space within our hearts to welcome the Lord? Are we making preparations for the coming…
The Virgin Mary is among one of the greatest gifts that God has ever given to humanity. He knew that all of us needed a mother that we could turn to who would walk with us along the path of discipleship. He knew that we needed someone we could turn to who would help lead…
The passage that we have heard this morning in our Gospel comes at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. At the time, the things that Jesus was saying were viewed as being radical. Throughout the preceding chapters, He was telling His disciples and those who came to listen to Him about a new…
Fr. Tom Pringle 