Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3 In those days, a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the […]
Feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle: Faithfulness to the Lord and His Church Read More »
“It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:33) These words are addressed to the son who stayed home and served his father. As we know, he had a hard time understanding his father’s joy and why the
“HE HAS BEEN FOUND!” Read More »
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet” (Luke 15:22). Today we turn our attention to the Father in this moving story, which we know well as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. God
“THE JOY OF HEAVEN” Read More »
I am delighted for—and with—everyone who followed the twelve reflections on the Blessed Virgin of Orléans. This is not the first time I have written about her, and—God willing—it will not be the last. Indeed, every time I write about her, it feels fresh, which is connected to the fact that the Virgin of Orléans
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “Concluding reflection” (Part 12) Read More »
What had happened to the heroic Joan of Arc, who had endured so many trials and never doubted her mission? Let us think of Saint Peter. Did he not repeatedly show Jesus his love? Did he not leave everything to follow Jesus? Did he not say that he was willing to die for Jesus? What
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “Joan’s greatest victory!” (Part 11) Read More »
‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as
“Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25) Once again—as was already hinted at in yesterday’s reflection—the focus is on true life. From God’s perspective, true life is that which is united with Him and unfolds according to His will. Only here
Joan withstood the terrible ordeal of interrogation, the harassment she endured at the hands of the English guards, the harsh conditions of her imprisonment, and the judges’ attempts to convict her of heresy. Not even the threat of torture caused her to falter. Supported by her saints, she remained unyielding. She told those who threatened
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “Jeanne’s Recantation” (Part 10) Read More »
“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) Following Christ means bringing God’s plan to life in one’s own life. This plan comes from the heart of a loving Father. Perhaps such words immediately bring to mind ideas of renouncing life and
“TRUSTING FOLLOWERSHIP” Read More »
In Rouen, the conditions of the Virgin’s imprisonment worsened. Although she should have been held in a church prison under the supervision of women, English soldiers guarded her instead. The priest Jean Massieu of Rouen described her conditions of imprisonment as follows: “Joan was imprisoned in the citadel of Rouen in a room on the
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “The trial of shame” (Part 9) Read More »
