In the Gospel reading this week, Mary, pregnant with the Christ child, visits her cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant with John the Baptist. Elizabeth greets Mary with a line all Catholics are familiar with because it makes up part of the “Hail Mary” prayer. Upon seeing Mary,...

We are now at the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Christ is coming soon and John the Baptist’s words uttered 2,000 years ago still ring true today. What should we, as Catholics, “do” during this season of Advent and this coming season of Christmas? “Whoever has two cloaks should...

If you’ve read my gospel reflections for any length of time, you know I am a fan of John the Baptist. As I’ve said many times, it probably doesn’t surprise anyone that I am a fan of a saint who was unorthodox in style and appearance and referred to the religious leaders of...

On Sunday we began the season of Advent on the Church calendar. During the season of Advent we prepare for the coming of our Lord Jesus. A priest I once worked for was giving a talk on Catholicism to a group of non-Catholic Christians. When he got to the Q and A portion at the end of the talk...

Today the Catholic Church moves into the 2nd Sunday of Advent. The color purple is used to represent the seasons of both Advent and Lent because it represents sorrow. It may seem strange to use a word like “sorrow” in connection with Christ’s birth but remember that the season of Advent is...