I recently had the opportunity to offer brief reflections on the Sunday lectionary readings. For those who are interested in viewing, the link is below. https://www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02152026
Coming Soon: Songs for Lent
Dear Friends, Ash Wednesday is on Wednesday, February 18. Again this year, I will be offering “Songs for Lent,” daily reflections on a psalm verse or verses from the lectionary, enhanced with images and music, a link to the readings, and a prayer. These are sent to participants every day via email. (There is no cost or obligation, and your…
Keeping Advent 25: Preparing His Way
December 24/Fourth Wednesday of AdventChristmas Eve “You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.” ~ Luke 1.76 We are on the cusp of Christmas. The last Advent calendar window has been opened; the four candles on the Advent wreath have been lit; all the verses of…
Keeping Advent 24: Timeout
December 23/Fourth Tuesday of Advent Immediately [Zechariah’s] mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. ~ Luke 1.64 By the time Elizabeth gives birth to a son, Zechariah has had plenty of time to reflect on events. Nine months, to be precise: because he had earlier questioned Gabriel’s message that his aging wife would conceive a child,…
Keeping Advent 23: Devil’s Food
December 22/Fourth Monday of Advent He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. ~ Luke 1.51 PEWSAGL: this nonsense word is the mnemonic I created for the Seven Deadly Sins (Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Avarice, Gluttony, Lust, since you asked) still occupies space in my brain from my high school study of Chaucer (and yes, it is…
Keeping Advent 22: The Law of Love
December 21/Fourth Sunday of Advent Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. ~ Matt 1.19 What does it mean to be “righteous?” In our time, the word holds a slightly pejorative connotation, having been elided with that smug self-righteousness that so often characterizes our discourse (particularly…
Keeping Advent 21: The Best-Laid Plans
December 20/Third Saturday of Advent But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ~ Luke 1.29 On a recent visit to the Prado, I was struck anew by the renderings of the Annunciation through the centuries. Regal in demeanor and dress, Mary is almost invariably portrayed as serene, peaceful, and…
Keeping Advent 20: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
December 19/Third Friday of Advent He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. ~ Luke 1.15 Any mother who has experienced the exuberant athleticism of a baby in the womb – kicking, flipping, dancing, giving the occasional sharp elbow to the ribs – and then watched that baby grow to adulthood also knows that each…
Keeping Advent 19: Small Ball
December 18/Third Thursday of Advent When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. ~ Matt. 1.24 What is God asking of me? This is one of the central questions we may put forward in prayer, as we listen in the still silence for the voice of God in our lives. Often, we find that…
Keeping Advent 18: A Hidden Life
December 17/Third Wednesday of Advent The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. ~ Matt. 1.1 For a few years in the early 2000s, the New York Times published a popular column known as “Boldface Names,” which focused on the social scene, celebrity sightings, and news about famous or notable people in…