In this week’s gospel, we witness a powerful moment when Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem. Instead of finding a sacred space for prayer and worship, He encounters a scene of financial exploitation. The temple, meant to be a house of prayer, had been transformed into a marketplace where the sacred was overshadowed by the pursuit of dishonest profits

This week, as we continue our Lenten journey, we find ourselves on the threshold of transformation, standing at the intersection of our earthly realities and the divine call to be transfigured. What is revealed in both Genesis and Mark’s Gospel are called: theophany – that is, an extraordinary encounter with God or a manifestation of God’s presence.

We often say Happy Advent, Merry Christmas, and Happy Easter, why not say Happy Lent!; afterall the season of Lent which we begin this weekend is a gift from God. A gift and moment in our liturgical year to pause, reflect, and act.

The three traditional ways to prepare for the joyful season of Easter is to pray, fast and give alms during Lent. This week we enter the Lenten Season on Ash Wednesday - February 14th. This is a day we are asked to fast (2 small meals and one regular meal) and to abstain from meat the entire day. People who have reached the age of 60 are excused from the requirement to fast but may do so if their health permits.

One of my favorite memories of my life as a Franciscan friar was during my very first year of formation. It was my 21st birthday, my first birthday with friars, my first birthday without my family. After we prayed morning prayer and participated in Mass, I noticed one of the friars leaving the chapel before we were finished. The next thing I knew was that this friar was waiting outside of the chapel doors with tall champagne glasses of mimosas and they sang me Happy Birthday. I felt the love of my Franciscan community, I experienced Franciscan joy, and I understood a little more Franciscan hospitality.

In this week’s gospel, we are presented with a powerful account of Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm. This passage holds profound significance, reminding us of the divine power and transformative nature of Christ's teachings. Let us delve into the key themes of this passage and reflect on their implications for our faith journey.

Mark 1:14-20 captures a pivotal moment in the early ministry of Jesus Christ, where He calls His first disciples. This passage not only narrates the beginning of the Gospel but also serves as an invitation for us, as Catholic believers, to reflect on our own response to the call of Christ in our lives.

This month following the season of Christmas has always been an important time of the year for me. Although the days are getting longer, it appears that darkness still has the upper hand with the overcast sky and the piling snow. It is a time when the temperature keeps me inside and the wind seems to make even my bones cold!

In today's Gospel reading from John 1:35-42, we find ourselves standing with John the Baptist as he points out Jesus, declaring, "Behold the Lamb of God!" This powerful proclamation encapsulates the essence of Christ's mission—a mission of sacrificial love and redemption. As we enter this Ordinary Time, we are reminded that the Lamb of God walks among us, inviting us to witness His presence and respond to His call.

As we joyfully step into the celebration of the Epiphany, we are invited to witness and celebrate the manifestation of God's glory through the awe-inspiring event of the Magi's visit to the infant Jesus. The Epiphany of the Lord is a revelation, a divine unveiling that beckons us to recognize the profound significance of this encounter.

That’s right, it’s still Christmas!

We are in the part of our liturgical year called the Christmas season, which goes until January 8, when we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. We find ourselves immersed in the profound mystery of the Incarnation—the miraculous moment when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. It is a time of joy, celebration, and contemplation for the Catholic faithful, as we reflect on the wondrous gift of God's love.

As we traverse the sacred season of Advent, our hearts are enveloped in the warmth and glow of the candles on the Advent wreath, each one representing a different facet of our spiritual preparation. This week, as we focus on love, we delve into the profound essence of God's love revealed in the unfolding narrative of Christ's coming.

On the Third Sunday of Advent, the Church in her wisdom, gives us, the people of God, Gaudete Sunday, which is Latin for “Rejoice” Sunday. Gaudete Sunday, signified by the rose colored candle in the middle of the Advent season of waiting and preparation reminds us of joy. Joy not because the Lord has come, but because the Lord is coming.

As we enter into the season of Advent, we are called to embark on a spiritual journey marked by anticipation, hope, and, most importantly, peace. Rooted in the rich traditions of the Church, Advent serves as a sacred time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, inviting us to delve deeper into the profound peace that only He can provide.

Advent is a season of Hope – certainly a virtue that may be illusive in a world torn by strife and in a society which seems to commercialize everything. Yet, Hope is the key to keeping the season holy. We anticipate two important events in these sacred days. We look forward to commemorating the first coming of Christ, the Prince of Peace, on Christmas as we also look forward to His second coming at the end of time.

Although Thanksgiving will be celebrated this week across the nation, everything around us is pointing towards Christmas already. In some cases, retailers have been advertising their sales since before Halloween and certainly their stores have been decorated with Christmas trees and such for several weeks now. Advertisements on television, radio and social media proclaim the joyous news of Christmas’ sales! It is difficult not to have anxiety this time of year if you’re a parent or grandparent trying to figure out how Santa will ever be able to fill children’s stockings this year.

One of the treasures of our Catholic Faith is how we honor the men and women who are declared Saints, Blesseds, and Venerables by the Catholic Church. Our Assumption Church is filled with side altars, and carved statues, reliefs, and paintings declaring our love and honor for them.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shares a powerful teaching about ten virgins awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom. Half of them, the wise virgins, come prepared with extra oil for their lamps, while the other half, the foolish virgins, find themselves unprepared for the unexpected delay. As Catholics, this parable holds profound lessons about the essence of our faith and the importance of spiritual readiness.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus delivers a powerful message to both the crowds and his disciples, shedding light on the true essence of discipleship. Matthew 23:1-12 challenges us to reflect on the authenticity and humility that should define our journey as Catholic followers of Christ.

In Matthew 22:34-40, the Pharisees were looking to test Jesus by asking him about the greatest commandment. In response, Jesus not only provided them with a clear answer but also encapsulated the essence of the entire Christian faith.