The Power of Mary’s Name: A Sign of Trust and Victory In 1683, at Vienna, King John III Sobieski of Poland led the Christian armies of the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to a decisive victory over Ottoman forces. Before marching into battle, he entrusted his troops to the Blessed Virgin Mary, having […]
Saint Jean Gabriel Perboyre, Martyr in China Jean Gabriel Perboyre was born on January 5, 1802, in Puech, near Montgesty, France, the eldest of eight children in a devout farming family. Guided by the example of his priest-uncle, he grew up with a strong faith and a desire to serve Christ. Recognized early for his
The Christian who has been baptized has received a new life from God and is a new person, re-created in Christ. What we are now we have received. From now on we must live not in our merely human world of thought and action, but in the new world of Christ. This is not easy
St John, monk and bishop of Constantinople, was called “Chrysostom,” that is “mouth of gold,” on account of his extraordinary eloquence. Although often in poor health, he also deserved this name for being outspoken against corruption at the court and for the neglect and exploitation of the poor by the powerful. For this reason, he
The community of the Christians of Colossae was threatened with deviations from pagan philosophies and Jewish practices. In the very dense and rich passage of today, Paul insists that all that counts is Christ; we live in him through baptism, and die and rise with him. As in other very important occasions in his life,
The Bible, including today’s readings, sees Mary in the function of her Son; nothing more is said about her in the Gospel than what illustrates and serves Christ’s mission. Her inconspicuous and self-effacing service is very telling about her character and role – and at the same time about our mission: to witness quietly to
Conscious Discipleship Look before You Leap Greeting The Lord comes among us and calls us to follow him without conditions. May we listen to his call and may he always be with you. R/ And also with you. Introduction by the Celebrant: Conscious Discipleship At first sight it looks contradictory that on the
Paul reminds his Colossians that before their conversion, they were estranged from God. Now that they have been reconciled with God and one another, they should remain steadfast in the faith that has made them holy. A frequent sign of their own insecurity is that people seek security in laws and traditions. The more they
In today’s first reading, Paul makes, or more probably uses, a liturgical hymn that describes the primacy of Christ as the Lord of all. This is precisely the core of our faith, that Christ is the firstborn of creation, and, as the risen Lord, the head of all humanity, the principle of authority and vitality,
The background of today’s message to the Colossians is that gnostical tendencies are creeping in, promising a superior human knowledge even of divine mysteries. Hence the prayer of Paul that his Colossians may be filled with the full knowledge of God’s will, with wisdom and understanding coming from God’s Spirit. Simon Peter and his companions
