“Why was he born blind?” The disciples of Jesus wonder about the cause of blindness in the man born blind, whom we read about in today’s gospel reading for the fourth Sunday of Lent. “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” These kinds of questions are not uncommon; they are …
Tag: Suffering
The Cross: Opportunity for Love
“To run from the cross is to run from Jesus.” I once heard these words stressing the importance of the cross and our call to participate in it. Basically, this is a call to accept whatever difficulties, inconveniences, sicknesses, and setbacks that come our way. In today’s Gospel reading we read how Jesus calls Peter …
The difficulty of missing Christmas Mass and solidarity with the baby Jesus, God with us.
It is December 24, Christmas eve. The last few days have been bitter cold. The prospects of going to Christmas Mass have shifted from “not very likely” to “impossible.” I have used you not being able to go to Holy Mass in the winter. But is especially different on Christmas. I get very cold easily. …
Our Lady of Sorrows: Our Mother of Suffering
Today we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title, Our Lady of Sorrows. I am particularly drawn to her under this title which is essentially the same as calling her Our Lady of Suffering. What Jesus suffered in his body, Mary suffered in her heart and soul. She suffered so intensely because she loved …
Duchenne Awareness Day
in necessary for muscle development. It progressively weakens all the major muscles in the body, including the heart and lungs. Because today is Duchenne Awareness Day, I thought it would be fitting to share a bigger picture of how Duchenne muscular dystrophy has affected my 45 years of life. While some of you may have …
St. Mother Teresa’s 1,2 Secret to love Jesus to the Max
By her life, St. Mother Teresa witnessed to the five-finger-gospel: “you did it to me.” She practiced the corporal works of mercy listed in the gospel according to Matthew chapter 25, which she summarized on the palm of her hand as the gospel on five fingers. (She also practiced the spiritual works of mercy as …
Praying with St. Monica, with Mother Mary, for the conversion of the world.
St. Monica was truly devoted to her son Augustine. She prayed much for his well-being, his spiritual well-being especially, as this is much more important than physical well-being. She shed many tears for him. The son of her tears certainly couldn’t be lost, as the Bishop simplistic consoled her. She who gave her son physical …
Thoughts from the Grotto
The Grotto. I woke up this morning with Lourdes on my mind. My thoughts went straight to the Grotto where the Blessed Virgin Mary transformed a poor cave into a place of heavenly sweetness. She came down into the life of St. Bernadette which was beset with all kinds of difficulties and trials. Mary is …
Recent trach change, and encouragement when faced with suffering.
It’s not very easy for me to get up early in the morning during the winter. I’m talking about 5:30 AM when it’s still dark as night outside. When it is summer it’s not so difficult to do. But I had no choice. I had a doctor’s appointment at 8 AM, at Georgetown University Hospital. …
A reflection on suffering on the feast of St. Paul of the Cross
Yesterday I got my peacemaker checked out at the doctor’s office at the hospital. This was the first time following up on the device since it was implanted in February. I did not know what to expect. How would they check to see if it is functioning properly? That part was actually a breeze (it …