“Quo Vadis?” St. Peter’s Call to Martyrdom in Rome

by | Jul 8, 2021 | Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Saints, Salvation, Sanctity, Witness to Christ

  Two summers ago, we took a trip to Italy, and after emerging from the Catacombs, we stumbled onto the Quo Vadis church. “Quo Vadis?” (“Where are you going?”) refers to a story about St. Peter, passed down through pious tradition.  In this story, Peter is fleeing Rome, where persecution is rampant. As he walks down […] Source: “Quo Vadis?” St. Peter’s Call to Martyrdom in...

SIXTH FRIDAY OF EASTER TIME

by | May 22, 2020 | Pope John Paul II, Witness to Christ

FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD SIXTH FRIDAY OF EASTER TIME May 22, 2020 WORD of the DAY One night in a vision the Lord said to Paul, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” (Acts: 18: 9-10) How shall I live this Word? Jesus invites Paul to continue speaking of Him and not be silent, continue to proclaim Him with words and with his life . This is a strong invitation for us as well. Faith never goes on vacation or even in ‘quarantine’. It does not have times of yes and no. Our Christian commitment continues always, to recount with creativity and joy the good and beautiful things that God accomplishes in our life. We must witness to the joy of being Christians even in suffering and sickness, living charity and service even in the most problematic and difficult situations, never leaving anyone alone. In the footsteps of Paul and following Jesus’ indications, during this time of the pandemic and forced isolation, we have seen be born and grow a new way...

Second Thursday of Ordinary Time

by | Jan 23, 2020 | Pope Francis, Witness to Christ

FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD Second Thursday of Ordinary Time 23 January 2020 WORD of the DAY Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people [followed] from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. (Mark 3: 7-8) How shall I live this Word? “The crowd had heard what Jesus was doing and ran to Him.” We cannot deny that the testimony of life and works is always the most eloquent, and it is these messages that our world needs. The gestures and actions of individuals speak much more than words or well-constructed speeches. We must remember it when the offensive and rude words come out ‘by mistake’ from the mouth, when our attitude is judgmental or impatient, when we say that we are ready to listen but our mind is evidently elsewhere, when we run nonstop and have no time for anybody: it’s what we do that marks us, not what we say! Help us Lord to remember that it is not beautiful words that speak...